When I told my husband what the topic of this week’s rec list was, he was like, “shouldn’t we be discouraging that type of relationship?” Well, yes, if romance books were the real world. There’s generally an inherent sense of “wrongness” to boss/employee romances, which is one of the staples of the trope. The characters... Continue Reading →
RETRO REVIEW: Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn
I've got Meghan Quinn on my mind, so I thought I'd re-share my review for one of her older rom coms - the grumpy/sunshine, boss/assistant, wedding-related romance, Boss Man Bridegroom. I haven't been able to convince myself to dive into Quinn's newest, A Long Time Coming, yet(!), because friends to lovers drives me crazy 75%... Continue Reading →
COVER REVEAL: A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn
There's a new movie-inspired rom com on the way from Meghan Quinn, and I'm excited! The spinoff of this series, Untying the Knot, just made my Top 20 of 2022 list (details below), so you know I love this author. But I've also discovered that my enjoyment of this particular series depends on my enjoyment... Continue Reading →
TOP 20 OF 2022: Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn 🎧
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and no book put me through my paces emotionally like Untying the Knot. Meghan Quinn is no stranger to my Best of the Year lists, because she swings for the fences with every release, and creates magic every so... Continue Reading →
Best of November 2022
5-star reads were few and far between for me this month, making them feel even more special when I found them. After loving Elsie Silver's Heartless in October, I went a full four weeks(!) without a 5-star read, which is unheard of for me. It was only after another reader recommended Amanda Gambill's Honestly, I'm... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn 🎧
Devastatingly brutal yet poignant and hopeful, this marriage in trouble romance put me through my paces emotionally - and I loved it! Switching between past and present, we see the highs and lows in this couple's relationship, with the chemistry and connection in their early days punctuating the loss of a love that was once... Continue Reading →
BLOGIVERSARY & Revisiting My Top 19 of 2019
It's the blog's 3 year anniversary, and time really does fly when you're having fun! When I created my website at the end of 2019, I had no idea what was in store for me. I'd been reading and reviewing a LOT for about two years at that point, and it seemed like a natural... Continue Reading →
MINI AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Runaway Groomsman by Meghan Quinn
It's mini review week! I'm clearing out my review queue of all the books I can't seem to convince myself to finish, for one reason or another. That doesn't mean these are negative reviews, it simply means that something isn't compelling me to keep reading at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to them another... Continue Reading →
15 Playboy/Manwhore Tamed Romance Novels
Is there anything more entertaining than reading about a playboy hero who is in WAY over his head? Used to quick and easy hookups, manwhore or former player heroes are out of their comfort zones when they have to work to get the right girl. Whether they fight their feelings or fall hard and fast,... Continue Reading →
COVER REVEAL: Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn
There's a sexy new romance on the way from Meghan Quinn, and I am INTRIGUED! This one is a marriage in trouble romance, which is sure to be spicy, angsty as hell, and still laugh out loud funny. She knows how to put her readers through their paces emotionally, so this has the potential to... Continue Reading →
15 Fantastic Forced Proximity Romance Novels
When two characters are stuck together, forced to work out their differences when they would've otherwise run and avoided the intimacy, magic can happen. Whether they're feuding co-workers, former lovers in need of a second chance, or semi-strangers who have found themselves living together, there are SO MANY different scenarios where forced proximity can shine.... Continue Reading →
15 Sexy Office Rival Romance Books
Whether you call it enemies to lovers or office romance with a little extra sexual tension, workplace rivals romance is a beloved trope for a reason. I love the friction that comes from two people who are fighting - or fighting their feelings - and the forced proximity is always a win. The heroes can... Continue Reading →
15 Spicy Hookup to HEA Romance Books Released in 2022
Is it ever really "just a hookup" in romance books? Nope! But these couples can fool themselves into thinking that there are no strings attached when they bang for the first time. I’m usually more of a slow burn girl, but every once in awhile I’ll devour a smokin’ hot romance novel that doesn’t take... Continue Reading →
15 Low Angst Romantic Comedy Novels
Rom coms: readers love them so much that the majority of romance books get (mis)labeled that way! It can often be difficult to tell if the book you're reading is going to be a genuinely low angst, feel good (hopefully funny!) read, which sometimes makes reading rom coms frustrating. Sometimes I just want a book... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: Royally Not Ready by Meghan Quinn
It started off strong, but my interest had fizzled by the end. This is something a little different from Quinn, though it still feels like one of her steamy rom coms. I really enjoyed the first 30ish%, with its crackling chemistry and TONS of sexual tension. Our hero is intense and loyal to a fault,... Continue Reading →
15 Sweet & Spicy Small Town Romance Books
Something about small town romance novels just hits a little different - in a good way. While the stories still feel contemporary and modern, there's often a laidback, easygoing feel or a cast of characters that make the setting feel more like a community. Whether the book is part of a series of interconnected standalones... Continue Reading →
COVER REVEAL: Royally Not Ready by Meghan Quinn
Tattoos peeking out of his suit sleeve? Well, alright, I'm liking this cover! There's a new sexy rom com on the way from Meghan Quinn (very soon!), and this one is a standalone royal romance that is sure to offer up some spice. Quinn's series each have different vibes, so I'm really not sure what... Continue Reading →
15 Sexy Fake Relationship Romance Books
I never get tired of fake relationship romance novels, don't ask me why! There's something about this trope that works for me, and it's just so versatile. The forced proximity, the crossing of boundaries, the faked intimacy - that's all part of the fun. Faking a relationship is often the catalyst that sparks crazy chemistry,... Continue Reading →
15 Sexy Office Romance Books
Whether the heroine is banging the boss or feuding with a co-worker, office romances have tons of potential for extreme levels of sexual tension. Workplace romance novels also feature popular tropes of every type, from enemies to lovers, billionaires, flings, fake relationships, forbidden boss/employee situations, and rivals romances. There's often great bickering that feels like... Continue Reading →
BEST OF 2022 SO FAR: Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn 🎧
We're already halfway through 2022, so I'm taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. If you'd asked me six months ago, this probably wouldn't have been the Meghan Quinn book that I expected to make this list! She is an excellent writer who usually has a... Continue Reading →
15 (More) Great Grumpy / Sunshine Romance Books
I discovered just how popular the grumpy/sunshine romance trope is when I posted my original recommendation list (found here) - and there's a good reason for that! The opposites attract dynamic provides plenty of opportunities for sexual tension-filled friction, and the build in intimacy just feels even more satisfying once a lovable grump has exposed... Continue Reading →
15 of My Favorite New Adult & College Romance Books
Whether it's the hot jock and the nerdy girl, the tutor and the troublemaker, the playboy and the virgin, or something a little more complicated, college, high school and new adult romances can be filled with tropes. Some of my favorite new adult romances are tropey goodness. Others are a little more nuanced, with stories... Continue Reading →
COVER REVEAL: So Not Meant to Be by Meghan Quinn
I'm really excited for this one! I always look forward to the newest steamy rom coms from Meghan Quinn, and the first book in this series of interconnected standalones was particularly great - MEGA STEAMY and great. This one promises to be another playful, scorching, emotional read, and I'm loving the sound of the blurb.... Continue Reading →
15 Fiery Forbidden Romance Novels
Whether it's a best friend's little sister, a bodyguard, a co-worker, or someone else's girl, there are so many different scenarios where a relationship can be forbidden. Not every forbidden romance needs to be super angsty, but the trope inherently has an element of sexual tension and the kind of push/pull dynamic that keeps your... Continue Reading →
Best of April 2022
There were some AWESOME new romances released in April! While the month was super uneven overall, the books that worked for me really worked, and I'm betting they'll leave a lasting impression. And my favorites were all SO different that it'll probably take a few months before I know which was my absolute top pick.... Continue Reading →
15 Romance Books Where the Guy Falls First or Fast
This is basically its own trope in romance novels - the (typically grumpy or broody) hero harbors deeper feelings for the heroine than he'd care to admit, the playboy is stopped in his tracks by the right girl, or the regular guy is smitten from the start. Whatever the situation, there's something so immensely swoony... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn 🎧
WOW! I wasn't sure that I was going to like this smooth-talking player at the start, but I was feeling the swoons in such a MAJOR way by the end. This book is a JOURNEY; a slow tearing down of walls and insecurities. MQ carefully navigates the complexities of a hero who honestly doesn't know... Continue Reading →
COVER REVEAL: Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn
There's a new rom com from Meghan Quinn on the way soon, and I'm never gonna complain about that, lol! This one is an accidental pregnancy/best friend's sister romance that is sure to have forbidden vibes... even though they've clearly already crossed a few lines. It's also got a roommates element that's got me excited,... Continue Reading →
15 Bossy Billionaire Romance Books
Rich jerks are a huge trope in romance novels - heroes who might be a little moody, broody, and grumpier than the average guy. When I told my husband that billionaire romances are a common trope, he blinked and looked at me like he must've heard me wrong (you mean millionaires, right? Millions aren't enough?),... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Reunion by Meghan Quinn 🎧
I… have no idea why this wasn’t three separate books. It really should’ve been three separate books. There are six different perspectives, three different love stories, and endless drama. Every time I would start getting into one love story, the chapter would end and I’d be dropped into another one. That actually was so frustrating... Continue Reading →
15 Sexy Sports Romance Novels
I don’t know about you, but I love a good sports romance. From football to hockey, baseball and more, sports romances often play up the tropes for light and sexy reads. Fake relationships, flings, second chances, friends to lovers - they're all represented here. Sports romances are often interconnected standalones that are part of a... Continue Reading →
15 Great Grumpy / Sunshine Romance Novels
One of my favorite tropes is the opposites attract romance, which can be used in so many ways to make a book shine. And the best combination of all might be the grumpy/sunshine romance, featuring a moody, broody hero and an upbeat heroine who makes his world a little brighter. The trope often shines in... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: Put Me in Detention by Meghan Quinn
I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but this steamy romance wrapped everything up with a neat little bow. Did I love this couple? Not particularly, but I didn't dislike them either. This was the first book in the series that dragged for me; there was just so much other stuff going... Continue Reading →
15 HOT & Steamy Fling to More Romance Books
I'm usually more of a slow burn girl, but every once in awhile I'll devour a smokin' hot romance novel that doesn't take long to bring the heat. Whether it's a one night stand that turns into a relationship, a no strings fling that starts to feel like more, an arrangement that's supposed to be... Continue Reading →
15 (More) Bad Boys Who Fall Hard in Romance Novels
Whether it's a dark romance book, a college romance novel, or a rom com, one thing women readers seem to agree on is that the classic combination of the bad boy and the good girl just works in romance novels. Of every post on my blog, there's one that's always been the most popular: my... Continue Reading →
TOP 20 OF 2021: The Complete List
Everything I loved about 2021 romance novels, all in one place! Looking back, I really did have a fantastic reading year - there were so many great books that ALMOST made my top 20 list, and plenty of others that were just really solid reads. The books on this list represent the absolute BEST romance... Continue Reading →
COVER REVEAL: Put Me in Detention & The Plan
Two big cover reveals today, and I am SO excited for both of them! Put Me in Detention by Meghan Quinn & The Plan by Karla Sorensen are the newest installments in two excellent series of interconnected standalones. I've got details on both series and the new books below! I kinda hate the new covers... Continue Reading →
BEST OF 2021: Top Picks by Trope
Who doesn’t love a good trope? Everybody’s got a favorite, from tense enemies to lovers reads to playful fake relationship romances. I’ve always got certain expectations when I start reading a story that plays up a trope, and the books on this list all exceeded those expectations. I’ve selected the two books that I think... Continue Reading →
TOP 20 OF 2021: The Perfect Catch by Meghan Quinn
As 2021 comes to a close, I'm revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Meghan Quinn is a repeat offender. As in, her books often fly to the top of my list - and The Perfect Catch is one of my all-time favorites from her. Read on for my book review and plenty of quotes to give you a feel for the vibe!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The One Night by Meghan Quinn 🎧
Well this was a little tease of a novella! I listened to the audio version, and it was a quick, playful introduction to the full-length story that will follow in The Reunion - meaning you do NOT get a happy ever after or any sort of resolution to the story, but this makes it clear... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn
Don't let that cute cover fool you - this is SMOKIN' HOT, with sexual tension dripping from every page. I was HOOKED from the start, and I devoured it at an alarming rate, even for one of Quinn's rom coms. And this IS a rom com, albeit a very tense and steamy one. I loved... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn 🎧
I can't say that this is one of my favorites from MQ, but it still has plenty of her signature humor - and that made it a pretty fun read. This has got the same "mainstream," toned down feel as The Wedding Game, though The Highland Fling kicks the steam up a notch. I'd ALMOST... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn
Light, funny, and a little bit charming, this is quintessential Quinn with a touch of something new. It's tamer and more of a heartwarming comedy than her usual, leaning into the funny in the first half before shifting into a sweet - yet still very sexy - romance. Though it got off to a bit... Continue Reading →