Once Upon a Cat

About the Book:

Once Upon A Cat: A Cozy Fantasy Frog Prince Retelling (The Galamere Chronicles)

Title: Once Upon an Cat
Series: The Galamere Chronicles #4
Author: Gabrielle Landi
Release Date: January 23rd, 2026
Genre: Fairytale Retelling

A café owner, her former love, and the curse between them.

Thea Greene has no time for nonsense—especially not from her overly charming landlord who delivers flowers “for the building” and thinks a smile can fix anything. She’s too busy running her business, finding an apprentice, and reminding herself that falling for Nat again is only asking for him to break her heart once more.

Nathaniel Alder wants nothing more than to fix his relationship with Thea, which is difficult when she won’t talk to him. When a wand-wielding maniac turns him into a cat—whiskers, tail, and all—in front of the Cozy Cat Cafe, it’s a blessing and a curse. Being with Thea as a cat isn’t what he planned, but it’s more time and attention than she gave him before.

Can Nat break the curse he’s under and convince Thea that he’s worthy of her trust, or will their second chance at love turn out the same as the first?

Book Review:

I adore cozy fantasy and I love fairytale inspired stories. This series combines those beautiful and is definitely one of my comfort series. This latest addition was such a sweet read and I flew through it!

I admired Thea! Although the circumstances were a bit tragic, she had built a new life for herself. I loved the idea of her cafe and so wanted to visit throughout the book! Thea was trying to protect her heart, but Nathaniel was determined to support her in all of her dreams. Nathaniel was a sweetheart! I loved his optimism and thoughtfulness. He cared so deeply for Thea. I also loved seeing his heart for others.

The magic in this story was so fun to see. I love the threads that are connecting between the stories and the hints of future books. It was so charming to see Nathaniel as a cat and I loved getting to see Thea open up to him. This was a perfect cozy read and I flew through it! This fairytale inspired romantasy has only kissing.

Betting on Bliss

About the Book:

Title: Betting on Bliss
Series: Pine Ridge Ranch #3
Author: Carina Taylor
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

All Magnolia wants is to find love. Is that too much to ask?! Apparently so, because now she has a fake fiancé and it’s all based on a lie.

Magnolia Hawthorne has been struggling to find her place in this world. Sometimes she worries that her dreams are too small. That wanting to find love and settle down isn’t enough, except even those dreams seem out of reach at the moment.

When a stranger asks Magnolia to pretend to be his fiancée to fulfill his Grandpa’s last wish, she figures she has nothing to lose. And so she’s introduced to the dying man as Nash Whitlock’s fiancée.

What was supposed to be a short deception becomes something much bigger when Nash’s Grandpa makes a miraculous recovery and wants to spend more time with his grandson’s fiancée.

Magnolia is pulled into a completely different world of inheritance-hungry family members, all while pretending to love a man she just met. But Nash doesn’t make her feel like her dreams are too small. He makes her feel like they’re just right, and that maybe he can make them come true.

And maybe, Magnolia is exactly what Nash needs as well. Because it’s about time he found someone willing to fight for him.

Book Review:

This was so fun! I love reading Carina Taylor’s books because they are often low stress with lots of laughs. Miss Magnolia’s in a Mash is a part of Carina Taylor’s Pine Ridge Ranch series. The story sounded interesting so I was excited to read it!

Magnolia was a breath of fresh air. She was just living life to its fullest. She was trying to find her place and figure out her dreams. I love how she seemed to genuinely cared for people Although she didn’t know Nash well, she was willing to help him out. I loved her interactions with Nash’s grandpa and how she just wanted to live a quiet life.

Poor Nash, he was feeling the weight of his family’s expectations and he wanted to do what was right. He kind of roped Magnolia into the fake relationship but he didn’t have any malicious intent. I loved seeing him grow and find himself as he spent time with Magnolia.

Their romance was so sweet and I loved their easy relationship. They became friends but ended up falling in love as they spent time together. They were faking a relationship to help Nash’s grandpa but they ended up loving being together. The book was just the perfect pick me up.

I really enjoyed this book and I would totally recommend it! Miss Magnolia’s in a Mash is a closed door romantic comedy.

I received a complimentary copy

Firecracker

About the Book:

Title: Firecracker
Author: Cookie O’Gorman
Release Date: July 16th, 2025
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Seventeen-year-old Freya Kent likes the spotlight. Her plan for the months leading up to senior year is simple: go on tour, play violin with a famous band, meet her secret crush, and have the best summer ever.

Getting a concussion after being hit by a rogue basketball the day she’s set to leave?

Totally unexpected.

Tolliver Stone feels terrible. The hockey player is determined to earn her forgiveness—even if that means bringing her flowers, turning the pages as she reads, and being her maid for a week.

He’ll do anything for Freya.

When her ex challenges her, Freya and Tolliver decide to pretend. A fake relationship never hurt anyone. But as she gets to know him, Freya discovers Tolliver is so much more than a jock. His golden retriever energy slowly thaws the ice around her heart, and before she knows it, Freya is falling hard.

Which is the last thing she wants—right?

This book features two opposites with off-the-charts chemistry, one hilarious meet-cute, so many heart-warming kisses and answers the question:

What happens when fire and ice collide?

Book Review:

This was adorable! I love Ms. O’Gorman’s books, they are all so sweet and romantic.

Freya was so fun! I loved her snark and hidden softness. Her unexpected injury was not in her plans and Tolliver was certainly not in her plans. I loved seeing her get to know Tolliver and his family. I loved Tolliver! He was just a ray of sunshine and so sweet with Freya. I loved his dedication and care. Tolliver was determined to care for Freya and he was so thoughtful about it.

Freya and Tolliver were adorable together! I loved seeing the way they supported each other’s interests and cared for each other. Both also were brought into the other’s family too! I adored Tolliver’s siblings! I hope to see more of them. I loved their banter and the love that was obvious, even with the teasing and occasional annoyance. I also loved the cousins’ relationship! They were each other’s support system and even though it looked different with their relationships, they were always there for each other.

Overall, this was an adorable story that I flew through. I loved reading about all the cousins and can’t wait to hopefully read more in this world. This is a YA romcom with only kisses.

I received an ARC.

The Best-Kept Secrets

About the Book:

The Best-Kept Secrets (The Huntresses Book 3)

Title: The Best Kept Secrets
Series: The Huntresses #3
Author: Sarah M Eden
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: May 20th, 2025
Genre: Historical Romance

With her ever-ready smile, Eve O’Doyle faces life’s challenges with boundless optimism. However, even she finds it difficult to see the silver lining in her parents’ news: disaster has struck, leaving their genteel family in dire financial straits. But all is not lost. In the name of economizing, Eve will skip the London Season—even if it means dooming herself to spinsterhood. Determined that her sister, Nia, should enjoy their Christmas gathering with the Huntresses and the Pack, Eve will keep the truth quiet and soak in her last fleeting moments of lighthearted revelry with her friends. But from the moment she departs from her family’s Dublin estate, nothing goes as planned.

Exhausted by his relentless role as family peacemaker, Duke Seymour anticipates the brief respite of a festive holiday with friends. Escorting two of the Huntresses to the party is no hardship—the O’Doyle sisters are always a delight. But when an unforeseen winter storm waylays the group at a country inn, Duke and Eve form a surprising attachment that runs far deeper than friendship. And though they are eager to explore these new feelings, upon their arrival at the party, the couple is immediately met with unexpected opposition—they soon realize that no matter their feelings, the weight of responsibility they both feel toward their families may crush their dream of a happy ending for themselves.

Book Review:

This was an adorable book! I love the Huntresses series so much, and every single book is just amazing, and this one is no different.

I loved Eve from the beginning when we met her in the first couple Huntresses books. Her love for her family and her joy for life was so fun to read about. I really like how positive her family relationship is, and they are a breath of fresh air especially compared to Duke’s family. She was struggling though as she tried to figure out how to help her family and keep all of these secrets inside of her. I loved how Duke supported her and made her feel lighter in this time.

Duke was such a sweetheart! Oh my gosh the Pack is always so supportive, and I felt for him as he navigated his difficult family relationships. He was struggling with trying to forge his own path while also not completely alienating them. It was so sweet to see how his relationship with Eve lightened him as he dealt with the darkness of his family.

The Pack and the Huntresses were so much fun! I really love this found family, and it’s fun to see more and more of the Gents as this series goes on. This is a sweet historical romance perfect for anyone who loves found family and grumpy x sunshine relationships.

Here We Go Again

About the Book:

Title: Here We Go Again
Series: Georgia Jaguars’s Hockey #2
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Four Petal Press
Release Date: September 26th, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

He knows what it takes to make a comeback. She isn’t sure he deserves a second chance.

After a career-threatening injury, Georgia Jaguars defenseman Theo Williamson is fighting to prove he still has a future in hockey. The harder battle? Convincing Rebecca Bradley he deserves another chance at her heart.

Eight years ago, when his father died, Theo shut Rebecca out instead of letting her help him through the hardest time of his life.

Rebecca rebuilt without him. She’s stronger now. More careful. And she definitely isn’t interested in letting him back into her life again—no matter how sincere his apology sounds.

But when their meddling mothers trap them on a surprise vacation together, distance isn’t an option—and neither is ignoring the chemistry they never really lost.

Just when Rebecca starts to think Theo might be worth the risk, real life comes crashing back in—his demanding hockey schedule, her uncertain future, and the painful truth about how much his past choices cost her.

Theo can’t undo the damage he caused. But he’s determined to prove she’ll never have to sacrifice her future for him again… even if that means letting her go.

Here We Go Again is a second chance, low-spice hockey romance with chemistry, tension, and steamy kisses…but only kisses on the page.

Book Review:

Um, this was just so good! I was so excited for Theo’s book and I ended up loving it. Here We Go Again is the second book in Jenny Proctor’s Georgia Jaguars’s Hockey series. Rebecca and Theo had history and there was so much that they had to overcome.

I loved getting to know more about Theo and really see what drove him. Theo was trying to make sense of his life and just heal up. Hockey had and was his life but his injury was forcing him to slow down. Theo had to learn to let others in and see that he was worth loving. Although he joked around, he was kind and truly cared for those in his circle. Theo had a lot to work through but I loved getting to read about him grow.

Rebecca was so fun! She was kind and feisty. She was a travel nurse but a part of her was looking to put down roots. I loved her organization and spreadsheets! She had never really gotten over Theo but she was also scared to let him into her life again. I love how she supported Theo and encouraged him. Rebecca had to see if she was willing to risk her heart again.

Rebecca and Theo were so cute together! Because of their history, they knew each other so it was sweet to read about them connecting. I loved how they still remembered little things about each other and memories of the past would come up. They definitely had to learn to communicate and grow together. I loved their surprise vacation together.

The side characters were so fun! I loved their moms and the way that they meddled. They really just wanted the best for their children. The hockey team and the family that Theo had made was also sweet. I also love getting to see new and different characters. I see hints of new stories coming too which is so exciting!

I really enjoyed this book and I would totally recommend it! The characters were relatable and I was cheering them on. The story was engaging and I didn’t want to put it down. Here We Go Again is a closed door romantic comedy.

Content Warnings:

This book contains nuanced, careful conversations about sex, including when to have it and when to wait. It is still closed door, nothing but kisses on the page. But the main characters have a history that includes intimacy before marriage and this comes up in conversation in the present narrative of the book. There are no detailed flashbacks to past encounters and no spicy scenes.

What I loved:

The moms together with their meddling

Theo and Rebecca together

Seeing Carter and Sarah

The brothers together

Hockey

Team as family

I received a complimentary copy

I Wish He Would

About the Book:

Title: I Wish He Would
Series: Sweeter Than Fiction #1
Author: Amanda Schimoeller
Release Date: September 1st, 2026
Genre: Rom-Com

I hit it out of the park in the friend department. The dating department? Not so much.

After a series of horrible first dates, I’m convinced it’s time to give up on my search for love. But when my best friends convince me to try out a list of twenty questions to fall in love, I decide to give it a shot.

I go on a date and test out the questionnaire, but it seems the only answers I get are the ones leading me back to my friend, Austin Bradford, who also happens to be the star shortstop for the Louisville Mustangs.

Despite all my desperate attempts to convince my best friends otherwise, I’ve had feelings for Austin since we met three years ago. Which also happened to be the same night he friendzoned me.

When I have to attend my cousin’s destination wedding—who, might I add, is marrying my jerk of an ex-boyfriend—Austin insists on going with me. I tell myself it will be fine, just a friendly vacation. Maybe I can even bury all my feelings for him on the beach.

Except, the time I spend with Austin has me questioning if the heated looks he’s sending my way are real, or if the Caribbean sun is making me hallucinate.

I wish he would give me a clear sign, because I refuse to put my heart on the line and risk our friendship without knowing if our love story will be a grand slam or a strikeout.

Book Review:

This was adorable! I love friends-to-more and this one was such a fun addition to this series!

Alyssa was a sweetheart! I loved her optimism and her care for others. She really cared for her friends and cherished her special relationship with Austin. She was always there for his games and I love the friendship the girls had though! They were always in Alyssa’s corner. I adored Austin! I loved how thoughtful he was with Alyssa and how easily he took care of her. His baseball team was hilarious! I loved their interactions and would love to read more about them.

Alyssa and Austin’s friends to more was so sweet! I love how comfortable they were with each other and supportive they were of each other. There was already such a strong trust and bond built. I loved Austin’s interaction with Alyssa’s family and especially her nephews! He was already welcomed into their family and it felt so natural. Alyssa and Austin had to be brave in taking the next step in their relationship, but I loved how it was already built on their friendship and care for each other.

It was so fun to see them interact through bad dates, fake dating, and a wedding! I loved how they were each other’s support and encouragement. Alyssa and Austin were adorable together and I flew through every page of their story. I cannot wait for more in this series and highly recommend it! This contemporary romcom has only kisses.

I received an ARC.

Silk and Sensibility

About the Book:

Title: Silk and Sensibility
Author: Mengxi Seeley
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishers
Release Date: September 15th, 2026
Genre: Historical Romance

A charming retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility set in Ming-dynasty China.

Two sisters with conflicting attitudes on passion and restraint must each choose between the traditions that bind their hearts and pursuing the love that could save them.

Nineteen-year-old Ailin is torn between duty and desire. Following her father’s death, her family must rely on the wealthy Jiang clan for financial survival. Though Ailin knows she must marry strategically to help her family, her heart has already been captured by the poor but gentle scholar Enze. When his family opposes their union, Ailin knows she must hide her feelings from everyone until she can strengthen her dowry and stand on her own terms.

Meilin encourages her older sister to fight for her personal desires, but Meilin’s romantic ideals conflict with Ailin’s devotion to duty. Meilin believes in being honest about one’s feelings regardless of what others may think, and she unabashedly pursues a charming playwright while also clashing with a frustratingly handsome but gruff army captain.

Each sister would do anything to help the other find happiness, but their assumptions about restraint and passion are as different as earth and sky. Ailin feels honor bound to her family yet is unable to deny her love for Enze, even as circumstances push them further apart, while Meilin grapples with unexpected feelings for Captain Bai and societal restrictions that leave little room for her own hopes.

Silk and Sensibility explores the delicate cultural expectations of womanhood in historical China by following two sisters who must learn to balance loyalty and longing, courage and constraint, to claim their own happiness.

Book Review:

Oh my goodness! This book was so good!! I thought the concept was interesting from the beginning, and Seeley does an amazing job of making this classic story her own.

I really loved the dynamic between the two sisters from the beginning. Since I also have two sisters in my life, sibling relationships are always one of my favorite things in a story. Seeley did a great job in showing the tension and love in their relationship. Ailin and Meilin were so different from each other, and neither one of them could see the other person’s point of view. But that felt really realistic to me. Both of them had valid points to their arguments and they learned to balance each out.

I felt for Ailin from the beginning of the story. She was struggling with her familial responsibilities, and her sacrifices throughout the book were so admirable. I loved seeing her come into herself and learn how to fight for what she loved. Meilin truly did everything with her whole heart. She was passionate about everything, and while there were times when I was frustrated with her impulsivity, I also understood her. She truly lived life to the fullest, and she didn’t understand why her sister wouldn’t do the same.

The romances in this one were so cute! Enze and Captain Bai fit each other sister perfectly, and I loved seeing things unfold between the two couples. At the same time though, I felt like the sister relationship was really honored and elevated, and I loved that part. I couldn’t put this book down! It’s so engaging, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical romances!

I received a complimentary copy

Second Down and Second Chances

About the Book:

Second Down and Second Chances (River Foxes Football Romance Book 2)

Title: Second Down and Second Chances
Series: River Foxes Football Romance #2
Author: Leah Dobrinska
Release Date: September 8th, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Lawrence Poe, tight end for the Green Bay River Foxes, is a type-A control freak who functions best when his house is clean, his spreadsheets are updated, and his protein shakes are precisely measured. Adding a four-year-old to his structured schedule isn’t going to be easy, but his sister needs him to watch his niece, and he always shows up for his family. Still, with training camp and other football commitments, Lawrence can’t watch Ana alone. Enter Beni Fitzgerald—his sister’s best friend and Ana’s Godmother—a woman who threatens every aspect of his controlled, orderly life.

An artistic free spirit, Beni Fitzgerald is a type-B dreamer who lives by the mantra all will be well. No, she wouldn’t choose to spend the summer living with a man who is her polar opposite, but she’ll do anything for her Goddaughter, even if that puts her directly in the path of Lawrence Poe. Beni has always yearned for a place to belong, and Lawrence made it clear it’s not with him after he gave her the best kiss of her life five years ago only to pull away and call it all a mistake.

But their forced proximity requires compromise, and as the duo grows in understanding and trust, both Lawrence and Beni realize this could be a summer of second chances.

Three months. Two enemies. Under one roof. Everything could go wrong. But what if they’ve stumbled into something right?

Second Down and Second Chances is a snappy and sizzling closed door romance with kissing only and no implied intimacy, perfect for fans of the opposites attract and enemies to more tropes. This is the second book in the River Foxes Football Romance series. All titles can be read as standalones.

Book Review:

Ah, this was just so sweet and I loved coming back to this series. Beni and Lawrence were definitely fiery with each other and it was a lot of fun to read about their interactions. Second Down and Second Chances is the second book in Leah Dobrinska’s series, River Foxes Football Romance.

Beni and Lawrence definitely had their challenges. They had a history together and had made assumptions about each other. But it was sweet how they put aside their differences to help Lawrence’s sister and niece. I loved reading about them getting to know each other better and seeing that they might have made some wrong assumptions. They were both just people who were trying to belong.

I really felt for both of them as they navigated their relationship and cared for Ana. They were more enemies at first but they grew to friends and more. Lawrence was just a big sweetheart who wanted to protect those under his care. He would just blurt out things when he was nervous but he tried his best. Beni just wanted someone to truly see her. She embraced life fully but she also had to learn not to run in fear. I love how they took the time to see the other person and try to understand their fears and hopes.

The romance fit them. It was a slow burn as they worked through their frustrations. I loved how the football team supported Lawrence. Their interactions were so funny. I really enjoyed this book and I would totally recommend it! I am so excited for the next book! Del’s book is going to be amazing. Second Down and Second Chances is a closed door romantic comedy.

What I loved:

Ana! She was so much fun

The chemistry between Beni and Lawrence

The football team

Doris and her neighborly ways

The way that they supported each other

Hope and learning

I received a complimentary copy

Silent Strike

About the Book:

Silent Strike: Volume 3 (A Luke Steele Novel)

Title: Silent Strike
Series: A Luke Steele #3
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishers
Release Date: September 1st, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense

In the heart of Washington, one deadly secret could topple the presidency and ignite a national crisis.

Captain Luke Steele knows the corridors of power can be as perilous as any battlefield. As a military aide to the president, he carries the nuclear codes and stands at the center of America’s most closely guarded secrets. But when whispers of betrayal swirl inside the White House, Luke is drawn into a web of political corruption and hidden agendas that threaten not just the presidency but the stability of the entire nation too.

FBI Agent Amberlyn Reiner never expected her late grandmother to leave behind more than keepsakes. But on Christmas Eve, Amberlyn receives an unmarked box containing her grandmother’s jewelry from Eastern Europe, coded documents, and obituaries linking to a string of suspicious deaths. As Amberlyn digs deeper, she uncovers whispers of Cold War poisons, vanished operatives, and secrets someone will kill to bury. What her grandmother knew connects directly to a network that didn’t die with the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Together Luke and Amberlyn must follow a trail of hidden alliances stretching from the highest offices in Washington to the quiet streets of Europe. With time running out and enemies embedded within their own government, the two are thrust into a deadly game, where one misstep could cost them their lives–and ignite an international crisis.

Book Review:

Oh my goodness! I didn’t want to put this book down. There were so many twists and turns. I loved getting to see Luke and Amberlyn again. Silent Strike is the third book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s Luke Steele series. We get to follow Amberlyn and Luke as they embark on another mission and adventure.

I love both Amberlyn and Luke, I was really cheering for them as they tried to figure out the mysteries presented to them. It was nice how you get to know them more and more each book. They felt like real people who I would love to know. I love how sweet they were together but how they were also honroable and trying to get their work done.

The suspense and plot had me on the edge of my seat! I didn’t want know what was going to happen. It was really interesting getting to see different perspectives and knowing just a little bit more than Luke and Amberlyn. The main
“Bad guy” really did their job well. They were sneaky and there were times when I wondered if they would succeed. I don’t want to give too much away but all I will say is that you need to read this!

I loved this book and I would totally recommend it! It was the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, excitement and romance. Silent Strike is a romantic suspense.

Content warnings:

Violence

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Tangled with the Tight End

About the Book:

Title: Tangled with the Tight End
Series: Tennessee Thunder Football #1
Author: Savannah Scott
Release Date: August 18th, 2026
Genre: Rom-Com

He makes a living taking hits. She’s the one he never saw coming.

Declan O’Connell knows exactly who he is: star tight end, hometown hero, and a man who’s never been one to sit on the sidelines

Winona Carter knows exactly what she wants: a nursing degree, a steady paycheck, and time with her book club friends. She’s not interested in distractions—especially not the kind with a fan club that wraps around the block.

When Declan is injured, Winona shows up. She’s here to do a job. Nothing more.

But recovery has a way of slowing a man down and forcing him to notice the one woman in town who isn’t impressed by his stats, his fame, or his charm.

Now the clock is ticking, and all eyes are on Declan.
Will what they shared in private be able to survive in the spotlight?

Tangled with the Tight End is a forced proximity, opposites-attract romcom, and the first standalone book in the Tennessee Thunder Football series. This story is a closed-door romance with kisses that will have your heart doing a touchdown dance.

Book Review:

This was so cute! I loved returning to Waterford and adored this start to a new series. If you have read the Firefighters of Waterford, TN series, you will be excited to see old friends and read their stories!

Winona was so fun! I loved her genuineness and vibrancy. She was so sweet and caring, while she tried to juggle all the responsibilities she had. Between her nursing degree, friends and family, and side jobs, she was not looking for anything else. She felt a little adrift and throughout the story settled into her place. I loved how she cared for people and took genuine interest in them. I loved her relationship with her sister and how they supported each other, even with their differences.

I adored her and Declan together! Declan was a sweetheart under his focus and more gruff nature. I loved seeing him open up with Winona and how thoughtful he was., especially with her. They supported each other wholeheartedly, even when there were issues.. Declan could be overly focused and a perfectionist, but he cared deeply. They were adorable.!

I loved all the side characters in this lovely town! There are characters from former series and I especially enjoy Winona’s group of friends. They are so encouraging and supportive. It was also a lot of fun getting to know the football team! They were hilarious. I flew through this book and can’t wait for more of this series! This is a sweet sports romcom with only kisses.

I received an ARC.