Since I read a lot of ARCs in March, there weren’t many contenders for this month’s list. I don’t include books that haven’t released yet in my Best of the Month lists, so you’ll be seeing some of my favorites in future months’ lists. I’ve included them at the bottom of this post simply because I read and loved so many in March!
My favorite March release – by far – was The Other Side of Disappearing, a tender and emotional mix of romance and mystery. I’ve been a fan of Clayborn’s work for awhile now (Georgie, All Along made my Top 20 of 2023), but this was something new and different from her. I ended up loving it quite a bit.
I also really enjoyed Dust Storm, by new-to-me author Maggie Gates. It wasn’t a perfect ten for me, but I binged it in a single day and am definitely looking forward to more from the series. The fish out of water scenario was great, and I loved the vibe.
The final book in Lauren Asher’s Dirty Air series released (and then promptly unreleased) in audio recently, so I was able to finish up the series in the format. It was definitely my favorite of the series, and such an emotional, powerful read. It appears that the audio version disappeared shortly after I listened to it, and my library system indicates that it’s re-releasing later this year with different narrators. Not sure what happened there, but the male narrator was not the best, so probably a good decision. Either way, glad I was able to experience it in the format.
I already know that my Best of April list is going to be a whole other scenario – so far, I’ve read five fantastic books that release in April. So there are some very strong contenders… and the month hasn’t even started yet. We’ll see what else I end up loving!
TOP PICK
Seamlessly blending a soft, tender romance with a family-focused mystery, this felt like something new from Clayborn while still maintaining the immersive, bingeable quality of her writing. It took me a few chapters to get my bearings – there are four main characters and a lot to unravel about the true crime podcast – but once I got settled in, I ended up bingeing the whole thing in a single day. It’s essentially a road trip romance with a gentle giant of a hero and a black cat heroine who can’t help but fall for the ridiculously smitten man. The romance is fast-paced, but it still features so many of the gorgeous intimate moments that I’ve come to expect from Clayborn. I truly loved the hero and I adored how well his softness contrasted with the heroine’s abrasiveness. I honestly didn’t mind how quickly things developed – when it’s right, it’s right. The mystery is also a major part of the story, which I wasn’t sure about at first. But it’s integral to the romance, and I was soon caught up in every component of this multi-faceted read.
The story follows Jess (31), a woman who became her little sister’s guardian when their mother abandoned them ten years ago. Tegan has just turned 18 and she’s determined to get some answers about what happened, going so far as to reach out to a true crime podcaster who is interested in their mother’s connection to a famous con man. Jess is extremely private and unwilling to open up her life to the public, but she’s gotten roped into the situation by her sister. The only one who seems to have any empathy for her is the podcaster’s assistant, Adam (33). The former football player is intimidating at first glance, but he seems genuinely concerned about Jess and she hasn’t felt that from anyone in a very long time. As the four unlikely companions embark on a road trip to solve the mystery, Jess finds herself growing closer to Adam as she finally deals with the things she’s been burying for years.
I will openly admit that I wasn’t so sure about this for a few chapters, as we’re given a whole lot of information and a whole lot of people to keep track of in a short period of time. But that slightly overwhelming feeling went away as quickly as it came, especially once we got to know Adam better. He is such an absolute sweetheart, this giant mountain of a man who just wants to protect and love his girl. I loved the forced proximity of the road trip, which allowed Jess and Adam to grow closer in only a matter of days. It was great to see Jess slowly open up to Adam and let go of the things that had been holding her back, and there are some seriously excellent moments of heat and heart. Adam was just perfection. The mystery element takes up more space than I initially anticipated, but it really does tie everything together nicely. Jess has been so focused on being there for her sister for the last decade that she hasn’t been living for herself, and they both needed to come to terms with that before they could move forward. It’s a layered story, and I found it incredibly easy to stay invested throughout. In fact, the more I read, the more I loved it.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IO61vr
HONORABLE MENTION
I’m rounding up my rating, because I liked it, and I binged it, and I’m definitely coming back for more. The things that bugged me were pretty minor, and this is the closest I’ve found to something that gives me Elsie Silver vibes and backs it up with a solid story. The best part for me was the hero, this gruff caveman of a cowboy who was incredibly mature emotionally. He’s a single dad who has been raising his girls on his own for the last ten years, and he is all about therapy and empowerment and making sure his girls know that they’re loved. Just… absolute swoon. He’s a big teddy bear of a man (dad bod and all), and I loved how easily he learns how to handle the prickly heroine. She’s a definite fish out of water and won’t be to every reader’s tastes, but I liked the combination of her blunt honesty and his easy acceptance of it all. It made for a very solid series starter and a great introduction to this new-to-me author’s work, so I’m bumping up my rating.
The story follows Cassandra, a PR rep who needs to get out of the public eye for a while. After she takes the blame for something she didn’t do, her boss/fiancé requires her to take a consulting job at an isolated ranch – the last place this city girl would ever want to be. The situation makes Cassandra re-evaluate her relationship, especially when she gets to know the loving, close-knit family living on the ranch. Christian may be a bit of a caveman around her, but he’s nothing but gentle with his daughters. The two have instant friction that feels like it might be attraction, but there are a few problems with that. Number one, Cass is engaged to another man. Number two, she hates kids. And number three, she has no intention of sticking around. But being welcomed into Christian’s family feels better than Cass could’ve expected, and that complicates things.
I started reading this after a few failed attempts to get out of a book hangover, and it was the first book that held my attention – with ease. The writing is exceedingly easy to binge, and I loved the vibes. Cassandra and Christian have chemistry right away, even when they were bickering. I loved Christian more and more as I got to know him better, and it was so refreshing to read about a rugged cowboy who is so in tune with his emotions and so good with his daughters. He lost his wife over a decade ago, and he’s worked through those feelings to the point that he’s come out stronger because of it. I kinda loved that, and it also made him understand Cassandra so quickly. There’s the forbidden aspect, since she’s engaged, but her fiancé was clearly a jerk from page one and he was out of the picture soon enough. The only reason I was torn between four and five stars is because there were a few little things that took me out of the story. For example, Christian’s family was making bets on how quickly he’d start hooking up with Cass, even when she was engaged. He was perhaps a little too cavemanish in some of his physicality, and seemed to jump from “it’s just a fling” to “she’s mine” very quickly. But none of those things were major roadblocks, and I’m already excited about the next Griffith Brothers book, so I can’t call this anything other than a success.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IGm12I
Easily my favorite of the series, and what a way to end it! I’ve enjoyed digging into Asher’s first series now that it’s been released on audio, and each one has had a gut punch of emotion tied up in the love story. This one is perhaps the lightest of the bunch, though there are plenty of heavy and bittersweet moments woven throughout this uplifting love story. I loved the chemistry between the characters from the moment they met, and I loved how seamlessly they fell into something that had the potential to be so special. They’ve both gone through some seriously heavy stuff in their lives, and that created such a solid foundation for their love. Our hero is in a broken and vulnerable place when they meet, which our heroine recognizes and understands because she’s dealt with her own issues. They form a friendship that slowly simmers into love, and I couldn’t wait for them to get to the other side.
The story follows Santiago, a former F1 racer whose life was derailed after a major accident left him without a leg. He’s been in a depressive state ever since, living in a remote estate and hiding from the world. So when a beautiful stranger trespasses on his property, Santi immediately assumes that she’s a journalist trying to get a scoop. But Chloe is an American on a trip overseas, and she has no idea who she’s stumbled across. Somehow, the two find themselves pretending to be a couple (it’s a long story), and Santi reluctantly lets Chloe into his home and his life. Spending time together makes Santiago feel things that he believed he no longer could, and a little spark of hope flickers for the first time. Neither one has had an easy life, and that means letting love in is a risk they might not be willing to take.
This series as a whole has been super angsty and emotional, with storylines that strike a balance between light and dark. Redeemed definitely follows a similar path, though I found both characters to be easy to like from the start – and that wasn’t the case with the other books, lol. Santiago may be closed off and hurting, but he’s still a genuinely good guy underneath all of that grump. His limb difference is something he’s been dealing with for the last three years, and he’s allowed it to overtake everything else in his life. In contrast, Chloe has worked to overcome her own past, and she adds much needed brightness and understanding to Santi’s dark world. They were great together, and I liked the subtle progression from strangers to friends to lovers. It’s a slow burn romance that focuses on the emotional connection much more than the physical one, but there’s still plenty of sexual tension and charged moments. As with the other books in the series, it’s maybe a touch too long, but I sincerely enjoyed the journey. It left me with a sense of fulfillment and has such a heartfelt vibe. I thought it was the perfect way to end the series.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TnmPQh
SNEAK PEEK FAVORITES
Smart, funny, and a little bit heartbreaking, this truly is a love letter to all of the rom com fans out there. I know there are readers who don’t enjoy mixing angst or family drama with humor, but that is exactly what makes this such a nuanced, memorable read. It’s a rom com first and foremost – our heroine quite literally schools the hero on the rules of the genre – but there’s also pain and heartache underscoring so many of the interactions. I loved the combination of the jaded, grumpy, wildly successful hero with the perpetually sunshine heroine who has dealt with so much. Our hero has let a roadblock hold him back, and the heroine comes into his life like a wrecking ball. I loved the way she just absolutely knocked his world off its axis, all while bringing love and joy into his life. We only get her perspective, but it was easy to see the way he was smitten; a delightfully curmudgeon of a hero who slowly softens at the edges. It’s rich and complex, entertaining and funny, and genuinely romantic. I loved it!
The story follows Emma, a woman who has been the sole caretaker for her father since an accident ten years ago. Her screenwriting career has been stalled ever since – at least until now. When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, her family encourages her to pursue it. Which is how Emma finds herself heading to LA to help her favorite screenwriter rewrite a truly terrible rom com. It’s outside of Charlie’s typical wheelhouse and he has no idea just how awful the script really is. The good news? Emma was made for this job, and she’s determined to help turn things around and possibly jumpstart her career in the process. But meeting Charlie does not go as planned, and Emma soon finds herself temporarily living with her idol while trying to show him all of the ways he’s gone wrong.
Center’s romances tend to straddle the line of women’s fiction, and that was true here as well. It’s a multifaceted read that tackles a variety of difficult subjects, with both leads grappling with their own issues. I loved the forced proximity and the way that Charlie and Emma were in nearly every scene together once it got going, which allowed the romantic connection to grow and flourish. I adored watching Charlie slowly change his ways, and there was something so uplifting about a “broken” hero letting love into his life. It’s a slow burn with very minimal heat, but it was incredibly romantic. There were SO many great callbacks to beloved rom coms of the past, and it was awesome to see how much Emma cares about the genre. I smiled, I laughed, I swooned, I shed a few tears, and I worried how they’d find their way together. Through it all, I was very, very emotionally connected, and I had such a fun time. This one’s going to stay with me for quite awhile.
Releases in June – preorder today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PayzCT
Pretty Woman meets Succession in this deliciously playful and sexy fake relationship romance. It would make a great movie, but it was an equally entertaining read – filled with moments that made me laugh and a few that made me fan myself. I loved our slightly outrageous, pink-haired heroine, who does a fantastic job of keeping the buttoned-up hero on his toes. When they entered into a marriage of convenience in college, neither could’ve anticipated that they’d have to act like a happy couple while enduring a decadent yet tedious tropical wedding. As opposite as they come, I loved the fish out of water element and how our heroine keeps things grounded, providing a surprisingly steady source of support for the hero. He was also an unexpected delight, and I loved watching him reveal new sides of himself. Their banter and chemistry leapt off the page. Together, they made this a fun, fresh, and fiery read. I loved it!
The story follows Anna (25), a woman whose life is falling apart around her. Her career seems to be going nowhere and she’s drowning in bills, so the surprise reappearance of her “ex-husband” is a shock to the system. Nearly five years ago, Anna married West because he needed to secure an inheritance and she needed cheap housing, so the two near-strangers made a deal that benefited them both. Anna hasn’t thought of West (31) since they signed “divorce papers” three years ago, and she soon realizes that she probably should’ve looked at the paperwork better. Turns out, they’ve been married this whole time, and Anna doesn’t even know the guy’s actual first name. That’s how little they know about each other. Even worse? Their deception is on the verge of coming out, and West – or Liam, actually – needs Anna to accompany him to a family wedding and act like they’ve been married this whole time.
It’s such a fun premise, and I loved the idea of a marriage of convenience gone awry. Anna was (platonic) friends with Liam’s brother in college, and that’s really the only thing they have in common. They could not be more different, and it’s clear that they never took the time to learn anything about each other… which could prove disastrous for their current situation. It’s a play on Pretty Woman in that Anna is being paid to look like a woman who would be married into such a wealthy family, and it’s got a Succession-like feel because of the dynamics within Liam’s family. The combination of the two was insanely compelling, and this writing duo puts their own fresh spin on things. I loved the way Anna and Liam became a team, growing closer because of the forced proximity on a tropical vacation. There’s also a great “there’s only one bed” situation and an undercurrent of slow-building sexual tension. These two were so good together once they got past the initial hurdles, and I was engaged the whole way through. Another very solid read from this writing duo, and easily one of my new favorites from them.
Preorder today, releases in May!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/41A3Nbz
Did I devour this in a single day? You bet I did! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this series starter, and I was delighted to discover that the couple at the heart of it was perfection. I adored their snipes and banter, with feuding that felt a whole lot like flirting. They had some serious chemistry, and the sexual tension was sparking off the page. It’s got a softer feel at times, with a strong found family dynamic and some small town charm. But the forbidden elements ratcheted up the tension, and it was so easy to see that this man was absolutely gone for his girl. Both characters are going through some major changes in their lives, and I loved that they were able to lean on each other. While they’ve been bickering with each other for years, there’s an undercurrent of something deeper, and watching them find their way together was immensely satisfying. I had a fantastic time with these two, and I cannot wait to see where this spinoff series takes us next.
The story follows Ford, a man who just discovered that he has a 12-year-old daughter. He’s in over his head, trying to start a new business while grappling with the situation, and things get even more complicated when his best friend’s little sister makes a surprise visit home. Ford and Rosie bickered constantly as teenagers, but they haven’t seen each other in almost a decade. The two can’t be in the same room without arguing, but they also can’t stand to see the other hurting. Rosie has her own reasons for returning home, and spending some time helping Ford get his head above water might be exactly what she needs. But spending time together as adults has them growing closer in unexpected ways, and that makes the whole situation even messier.
Let me just say that I adored Ford – he’s a former geek who grew into a sexy billionaire, and I loved that he was neither a manhoe nor a jerk. It was absolutely adorable watching him try to be a good dad, and he’s also got a definite soft spot for Rosie. As much as they bicker, they also genuinely understand and care for one another, which made the history between them even richer. I’ll admit that I was worried this might go in the direction of Powerless and rub me the wrong way, but that was not the case at all. I loved that we got little snippets of their past selves in journal entries, and it was also easy to see how much they had changed over the years. Rosie is off-limits in a multitude of ways, and that just added some delicious tension to the story. It’s a slower burn that picks up speed along the way, and they were absolutely combustible once they got together. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough – this might just be my new favorite from Silver. Either way, it makes an incredible series starter, and I can’t wait to get more from this cast of characters.
Releases on April 9th – preorder today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/471i2HT
This one HURT, in all of the most tenderly brutal ways. Several times, I caught myself unconsciously rubbing my chest while reading, trying to make the ACHE dissipate. That’s how invested I was in this couple finding their way together, even when the path there was treacherous. Their every interaction was charged and full of tension – of all kinds. I loved how raw and emotional it got, which paired perfectly with the vibrant, banter-filled moments when they gave into the attraction that sparked between them. It’s got some serious sexual tension and the kind of spice where the intimacy bleeds from the page. I adored the sweetheart of a hero. And as much as I’d typically be driven a little crazy by the reluctant heroine, I truly could see where she was coming from. The forbidden element plays a major role in the story, so I was glued to the edge of my seat, aching to see them find a way through. It’s a little stunning that it’s a debut, and easily one of the most memorable books I’ve read this year.
This romance won’t be for everyone, there is definitely some heavy, potentially triggering content. The story follows Helen, a woman who has never fully healed from the death of her sister 13 years ago. When Helen’s sister was 16, she intentionally walked in front of a car and ended her life. Her death has shaped Helen into the woman she is today, and the emotional wounds still feel raw whenever they’re exposed. Helen has thrown herself into her career, and she’s reached a new level of success – her YA book series is being turned into a TV show, and Helen will be included in the writing process. Things seem to be heading in the right direction until Helen enters the writer’s room that first day and sees Grant… the man who was driving the car that struck her sister. He’s not a man Helen wants to get to know better, but their work situation means they’ll be spending every day together for the foreseeable future – and there’s no avoiding the way their lives are forever tied together.
I knew next to nothing about the story before diving in, I just loved the blurb. So I was shocked when I read the acknowledgments and discovered that this debut author is the screenwriter of Emily Henry’s upcoming film. That’s quite the pedigree, and this story lives up to the promise. It’s so layered and nuanced, with moments that had me tearing up, laughing, smiling, and even fanning myself. It truly put me through my paces emotionally, and it is a romance through and through. Since Helen and Grant work together, there’s tons of forced proximity and so many tense interactions. I loved watching them slowly shift from adversaries to reluctant co-workers to something more, and I really did empathize with both characters. The accident has changed Grant just as much as it did Helen, and my heart hurt for the ways he was broken. It’s not a particularly tropey read, but you could call this a “he falls first, black cat/golden retriever, forbidden romance.” Grant is such a compelling character (loved him!), and he makes the perfect complement to the more reluctant Helen. There’s a definite push/pull situation that cranked up the angst and tension, but I loved the way these two kept finding their way together. My love for the story grew and grew, and it’s the kind of book that I will remember for a long time. I loved it!
Releases on April 9th – preorder today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VjZqf
Playful one minute and heart-wrenching the next, this strikes the perfect balance for an entertaining yet powerful read. It reminded me a little bit of The Dead Romantics with the humor and heat cranked up several notches, though this love story is truly one of a kind. I loved the chemistry between the characters, the slow-building romance, the forced proximity and the flawed heroine. It’s rare that I read about a morally grey heroine, and I loved how she was able to grow and change throughout the course of the book. Our hero was also immensely appealing, the softest grump ever. Absolutely loved him. He’s a genuinely kind and loving man who sees right through our heroine, pushing her to acknowledge some uncomfortable truths about herself. His distrust of the whole situation creates some interesting friction, so I couldn’t wait to see how it all played out. I loved it!
The story follows Gretchen, a woman who was raised to be a con artist. Her father taught her to spin every situation to her advantage, so she’s been working as a medium for the last several years – convincing her clients that she can communicate with spirits, and making a great living doing it. So when Gretchen’s best client pays her to help out a friend with a ghost problem, she doesn’t see it as anything other than a new kind of con. But one step on Charlie’s property makes her realize that this situation is different. Charlie immediately knows that Gretchen is a fraud, and her usual tactics fail her. There’s also the unfortunate fact that the place is actually haunted… and Gretchen truly can communicate with this ghost. A family curse complicates matters even further, and suddenly Gretchen finds herself grappling with a situation that is entirely out of her control.
After loving Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, I was so excited to dig into Adler’s sophomore effort. Her debut was tender and funny in the best of ways, making me smile, laugh, swoon, and shed a few tears. I really didn’t know what to expect going into this one, but I can honestly say that it put me through my paces emotionally in much the same way. It’s such a fun and interesting premise, but there are heavier, impactful moments sprinkled throughout the book. Yes, I loved the absurdity of Gretchen arguing with a TV-addicted ghost while trying to win over her grumpy new roommate, but I also loved the journey of self-reflection and the many, many tender moments. Both Charlie and Gretchen have some healing to do, working on themselves in ways that only draw them closer. The love story shines front and center, but it’s the kind that develops in tiny steps that slowly build momentum. There was definitely some heat and spice, but the intimacy bled from the pages more than anything. It’s truly Gretchen’s story – we only get her perspective – but I was hooked on Charlie from the very beginning. I even liked the ghost. My love for this one grew with every chapter, and it ended up being such a dynamic, memorable read.
Releases April 30th, preorder today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/439UeRN
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I also think Redeemed was the best one in the series. I have The Paradise Problem on my list.
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I feel like her writing grew a lot throughout the series too, I definitely enjoyed Redeemed the most. Hope you enjoy The Paradise Problem, it was great!
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