Dragon Marked: The Legend of the Flame by Kara Knightlee

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kara Knightlee makes a confident and polished debut into the Epic Fantasy / Romantasy genre with this exceptional, superlative book.

From the ashes of a dying world rises a legend — and Dragon Marked is nothing short of breathtaking. This is fantasy at its most alive: a symphony of molten prose, heart-wrenching romance, and dragons that don’t just soar off the page — they sear your soul.

From the very first page, Dragon Marked: The Legend of the Flame ensnares you in its world of smoldering magic and unforgettable characters. This is the kind of book that doesn't just tell a story—it brands itself upon your soul with prose as sharp as dragon talons and as luminous as Heartfire.

It’s Unputdownable:

🔥 A HEROINE WHO BURNS BRIGHT

Aura Caelanth isn’t just a warrior—she’s a conflagration. Her journey from survivor to living myth is raw, real, and radiant. When she touches the Flameroot Tree and whispers "I come for remembrance," you’ll feel it in your bones.

 

🐉 DRAGONS LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN THEM

Ashari’s return is the most transcendent dragon resurrection in modern fantasy. Her bond with Aura isn’t magic—it’s memory made flesh. Scales like starlight, wings that rewrite the sky—this is how dragons were meant to be written.

Ashari's return is a revelation – a moment of such mythic grandeur that it lifts the entire story into the realm of timeless legend. The bond between dragon and marked one has never felt more sacred or more devastatingly beautiful.

Ashari didn’t just return to Emberfall—she crashed into my soul and built a nest.

 

💔 A LOVE THAT CUTS DEEPER THAN BLADES

Kaelen Ravaryn is a triumph of tragic allure. Their romance is a blade balanced on the edge of betrayal— it's a riptide of longing and secrets that will leave you gasping. Every glance, every scar, every unspoken truth hurts so good.

Kaelen and Aura's love story is a masterpiece of tension and tenderness. Their connection burns with the heat of a forge and cuts with the precision of a blade. Every stolen glance, every aching separation, every moment of vulnerability is pure narrative alchemy.

🔥🤫💘 A breathless, private inferno of want and wonder. 

Every intimate scene between Kaelen and Aura is visceral passion and totally swoon-worthy.

 

⚔️ 🎭⚫ MYSTERIOUS VILLAINS THAT CREATE DREAD

The mysterious but dreadful Void (the physics of unmaking), the Shadebound (the turned Flametouched) and the Shadow Soldiers. Chilling perfection.

 

✨🗡️🔥🐎🤣⚔️🕶️AWESOME CAST OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS including 

• Magnetic Rewa: A mentor with hidden storms beneath her calm. Her whispered "Ealá, Aura" carries the weight of centuries—and that final dagger scene? Iconic

• Skyburst: The MVP (Most Valuable Pegasus-Dragon?). Her sassy huffs and soul-deep bond with Aura prove love needs no words—just side-eye and shared courage.

• Irrepressible Elin with her sassy comments—pure gold.

• Enigmatic Selyra and her eerie ways—chilling.

• Sharp-tongued Teyne—and her casual insults hiding a devastating truth—shock reveal

• the whole friends' group (Bran, Derran, Saela, Mira, Vess, Corren and Kye) are beautifully defined. Each one shines and is crafted with care. Their toast to Aura’s Dragon Mark ("Looks like we’ve got ourselves a dragon-caller!") is pure found-family gold—equal parts humor and fierce loyalty.

Also, a quick nod to: 

• 🕶️ Commander Vael ⚔️🌑 (A man or a ghost? — "I’ve seen centuries. You’re special. Don’t make me say it.")

• The Akmuo stone 🪨💬 ("I witnessed the first flame. Your angst is cute.")

🌀✨👤Plots twists and unexpected, breathtaking character arcs.

⚔️💥🎬👀Stunningly written fight sequences that you can actually see. 

Dragon Marked has an engrossing story, an immersive world, careful world-building, unforgettable characters, dramatic plot twists, cinematic fights, lush writing and a beautiful (but ultimately devastating + cliffhanging) romance. 

Dragon Marked: The Legend of the Flame isn’t just a book—it’s a living flame. It grips you with the fury of a dragon’s roar and the tenderness of a whispered vow. 

This one has everything I ever wanted in a lesbian fantasy book 

• The emotional depth of The Priory of the Orange Tree
• The fiery romance of Fourth Wing
• The mythic grandeur of The Jasmine Throne

I 💓 this book so hard.

Also, it has one of the most stunning covers I've seen.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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gold rush by sarah sanders

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is such an exhilarating read. It’s a dazzling and deftly plotted romp with unexpected plot twists right till the end. Just when I thought ‘Oh, so this is how it’ll go’ it changed directions. Then again. This one defies — or straddles — genres. The only book that I can think of that is similar in twists, setting (historical) and complete engagement is Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. What begins as a classic caper quickly deepens into a layered mystery of tangled debts, dangerous pasts, and hidden agendas.

First there’s the unforgettable duo of Cass and Leo, two grifters whose chemistry and witty banter are the engine of the story. Cass, with her audacious confidence and theatrical flair, is a force of nature, while Leo’s pragmatic wit and weary loyalty provide the perfect grounding. Their goal seems simple: infiltrate a prestigious poetry contest and con the reclusive, elegant Lady Seraphine into giving them her generous prize. But from the moment they step onto the opulent château, nothing is as it seems.

Then there are the impeccably poised Lady Seraphine and her enigmatic companion Isolde Reinhardt. Lady Seraphine is a balance of glamour with vulnerability. Isolde is like an Matryoshka nesting doll with layers that hide more layers — compellingly enigmatic and seems to be shifting character all throughout.

The true brilliance of this book lies in its perfect pacing and expertly crafted reveals. Just when you think you have the measure of the characters and their game, the plot twists elegantly, raising the stakes and deepening the emotional resonance. The story seamlessly blends laugh-out-loud humour, genuine tension, and moments of surprising tenderness.

The romantic tensions—both the aching, idealized crush and the more grounded, wary attraction—are woven beautifully into the central plot, driving the characters’ choices without ever overshadowing the thrilling narrative.

The conclusion is both triumphant and deeply satisfying, offering a payoff that is as emotionally resonant as it is clever. It is a testament to the author's skill that she can deliver an ending that feels both inevitable and obvious, but at the same time it also feels like a graceful, unexpected gift.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#bookrecs #bookrecommendations #historicalfiction #historicalromance #romance #humour #con #intrigue #bestbooks #mustread #lesfic #lesbian #lesbianfiction #plottwists #entertaining #readnow #reading #imreading #bookclub #booktok #bokkstagram #readers #bookreaders #amreading

Actually Romantic by Sarah Sanders

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If I had to put a trope label on this one, it could possibly be opposites attract. But this book isn’t a trope. Sarah Sanders’ Actually Romantic is a breath of fresh, brilliantly organized air. This is not just a love story; it is a beautifully observed and sometimes hilarious character study about how love finds us not in spite of who we are, but because of it.

We meet Shelly Cobalt, a game designer whose world is a meticulously calibrated system of routines, parameters, and data points. She approaches the problem of finding a life partner with the same analytical precision she applies to her code, creating a disastrously clinical “Significant Interactions” plan. Her journey is upended when she meets Maple, the vibrant, chaotic, and endlessly charming owner of a local café called Sip Happens. Maple is everything Shelly’s plan didn’t account for: spontaneous, emotionally intuitive, and utterly irresistible.

The relationship between the two is heart of the book. Shelly, with her hyper-logical, algorithmic approach to life, is the kind of character who could easily have been reduced to a stereotype in the wrong hands. But Sanders crafts her with nuance, showing both her vulnerabilities and her strengths, making her oddly relatable. Maple, on the other hand, bursts off the page with warmth, spontaneity, and an infectious laughter that feels like sunshine. Together, they’re an irresistible contrast: logic meets chaos, structure meets colour. Their romance unfolds with wit and sensuality, but also with the kind of small domestic details—windchimes, shared meals, inside jokes—that make it feel lived-in rather than fabricated.

Sanders’ genius lies in her deep commitment to her protagonist’s voice. Shelly’s internal monologue, filled with “internal logs” and clinical observations, is consistently hilarious and unexpectedly poignant. Her gradual transformation from a woman who measures her coffee to the exact gram to one who learns to appreciate “soft entropy” is written with extraordinary sensitivity and wit. The romance that develops is not about changing Shelly, but about expanding her world to include warmth, colour, and the beautiful unpredictability of human connection.

Maple is the perfect foil—not as a manic pixie dream girl, but as a fully realized, patient, and understanding partner who sees the wonderful woman behind the systems. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions range from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply tender. A scene where Shelly arrives at a chaotic family birthday party armed with a colour-calibrated bouquet and a metaphoric spreadsheet is a particular standout, showcasing Sanders’s ability to balance humour with genuine heart.

The tenderness with which the intimacy is written is breathtaking. Shelly’s overwhelm when they become physically close, Maples loving encouragement and guidance. I’m blown by how beautifully that is handled. I could probably write another full review on just the unspoken subtext in that scene.

Actually Romantic manages to be both clever and deeply heartfelt at the same time. Sarah Sanders has written a romance that doesn’t just coast on chemistry—it builds an entire world of connection, humour, and tenderness that is refreshingly real.

What I loved most is how the novel balances humour with tenderness. The dinner scene with Shelly’s parents, for example, is written with such understated charm, while the playful epilogue is laugh-out-loud funny yet deeply romantic. Sanders never forgets that real love is equal parts passion and partnership, and she gives us both in abundance.

Actually Romantic is a smart, sophisticated, and deeply satisfying romance. It is a celebration of neurodiversity, the power of stepping outside your comfort zone, and the idea that the best things in life—especially love—can’t be planned for.

Sarah Sanders hasn’t just written a love story; she’s crafted a modern classic about finding your perfect match in the most imperfect, illogical, and wonderful way possible. This is a must-read for anyone who believes that the right person doesn’t complete you—they help you become a more complete version of yourself. This book is for anyone who wants a romance that’s genuinely romantic—messy, funny, awkward, tender, and yes, actually romantic. Highly recommended.

Also, the cover—absolutely beautiful and so meaningful to the story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Heart is Beating for You by særling

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★

This is a completely unique idea inasmuch the writer særling is also a singer/musician and has written this novella based on her song My Heart is Beating for You.

The story follows Elena, a literature professor in a small coastal town, whose life is defined by the aching absence of Leah, a wandering musician. The narrative weaves between the present, where Elena moves through her days in a haze of quiet grief, and the past, where we witness the electric, soul-deep connection that blossomed between her and Leah. 

The writing is competent, and even lyrical in places. In less than a hundred pages, særling writes a complete story — a first meeting, attraction and sparks, building memories together, physical intimacy, parting, distance, longing and aching, and a final reunion — engagingly and engrossingly. 

This isn’t a loud, drama-packed romance. It’s softer, more poetic. There's an emotional honesty in both MCs and særling effectively writes with affection. 

But what truly raises this novella from a four plus to a 5+, is the 5+ rating for the song. The song My Heart is Beating for You is haunting, sensual and sensuous — reminiscent of One Night  by The Corrs (an all-time personal favourite).

This is a quick, flowing read. Plus, the song is outstanding. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've been sitting here for half-an-hour wondering what words to use for this ... book. (See, I've again run short of words and adjectives to describe this book).

Set in the 1980s, this is on one level is simple enough story of Joan Goodwin — her quiet life, her silent dreams, her family dynamics, her personality, earnestness, her work ethic and her friendships. On another level, it's about space, large dreams, deep philosophies, patriarchy, socio-political environment of the time, and personal growth. 

And on every level, this is a stunning and incredibly beautiful love story between Joan and Venessa Ford — navigating everything mentioned above. Intensely romantic, touchingly tender and heartbreakingly soft. Everything love should be.

Jenkins' superpower is her ability to weave in so much in a way that you're eager to read the next word; sentence; page; chapter — even when you know how the story is going to unfold. It's her ability to make you feel connections and ache for the pen-people like it's all happening to you. You viscerally feel each characters' feelings — be it supporting characters that are just meant to give enough tapestry to build the world or the MCs who are living, breathing, feeling people.

In the entirely incredible book there are two standout chapters: 

• When Joan want to sacrifice and Venessa fights for them: This is the most beautiful 'fight' ever. I haven't read anything even comparable.

• The last chapter is entirely devastating. You'll be re-reading it repeatedly. 

I literally cannot recommend this book enough. It's lesbian romance at its finest.

PS: Love the cover too.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

The Paradise Charade by T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod

 

⭐⭐⭐

Markinson and MacLeod are solid authors with a huge number of books to their credit. So you can be assured that their books are mostly fine — 'mostly' and 'fine' are the key words.

This one is a one-night-stand-to-forever story. While helping her to shift, still-closeted Savannah Strauss becomes an involuntary and unwilling witness to an especially cruel break-up engineered by her cousin. At that same time, she also finds a flyer to a lesbian gig and quietly attends. She has an unforgettable one-night-stand — with a woman who turns out to be the one her cousin broke up with — Brooklyn Mathers.

Seven years thence, Savannah is a school teacher. Brooklyn is a management consultant trying to land a client who is her hope for keeping her fledgling company alive. For reasons (best read in the book itself) Brooklyn seeks Savannah out for help. Savannah agrees and the charade spirals and takes shape of something far more complicated.

The main leads are likeable enough, chemistry's good, the conversations are fine, the island backdrop gives the story an escapist glow. On the other hand, The Paradise Charade doesn’t always rise above its predictability. The fake-dating premise, though fun, unfolds along a path that feels easy to anticipate, leaving little surprise in how events develop. The story entertains but rarely challenges or complicates the tropes it plays with. There is some real vulnerability, ensuring the relationship develops beyond surface-level attraction and long-held idealization.

What I liked the most is that it steered clear of the forced misunderstanding/break-up third act. It wasn't necessary in this and thankfully, the authors left it out too. 

This book succeeds as a cheerful distraction. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, the novel delivers exactly what it promises: a feel-good romance with with steady pacing.

Standout part of this book: Emoji texts from Savannah's mom. They truly shone.

About the cover: It's so generic that I can easily be used on any book that has a tropical holiday in it.

⭐⭐⭐

Forever & Always by Sarah Sanders

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review-lite

…because…short, sweet, quick read

• Very, very appealing MCs
• Super-cute relationship
• No angst
• Likeable supporting cast in brief appearances
• Fun dialogues
• Good humour
• Amongst the prettiest covers ever
• Appearance (very, very brief) by Sonja Romanov (heart eyes) from Delicate

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hunting Astrid by Thea Landen

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an imaginative sci-fi romance where the imaginary world and the romance are equally important and equally detailed. 

Astrid Carlisle is a gifted programmer. Right out of college she is snapped up by Satera Industries an interplanetary organisation that develops tough simulations and hires mercenaries. She develops life-like simulations that are used as tests during the hiring process by Satera. The office is based on a rather remote space station so most people who come there are either coupled (or familied) up or diehard workaholics. Astrid is something of a workaholic but would like to have someone to share her life with. 

After running the latest batch of applicants through the simulation, during the debrief at the end, Astrid’s eye is caught by the winner of the test – a dark-haired, arresting lady. A lady she bumps into on her way back home later in the evening and who seems to have invited her out. Astrid can’t be sure – though, she is. Flustered, she exits the train without even asking the lady’s name.

Satera is lax about legalities and there aren’t many rules that their employees have to follow, so egged by her colleague (and friend), Astrid goes through the application and learns that the lady is Tabitha Knox an ex-Marine. She gets Tabitha’s number and with just hope on her side she sends a message asking to meet in the evening. 

The evening is more than expected because of the crackling electricity between them. 

This is a short book packed with action, emotion and attraction. Despite the length, Landen manages to etch the characters in detail. We completely felt Astrid’s vulnerability, intelligence, liveliness, humour and tentativeness. Tabitha is a perfect counterpoint with her self-assurance, worldliness, responsibilities, exuberance and attention. The attraction and chemistry between the two are palpable and you’re waiting for the first kiss. (When the first kiss does happen, it is everything we wished for).

The simulations, which form a goodish part of the narrative, are involving and immersive. We loved that Landen used the simulations as the setting for a date – very escape room meets virtual gaming hip. 

This one could’ve been twice the length and we’d totally have read it in one sitting. 

PS: Don’t miss the note to the readers from the author in the beginning. The first para is hilarious and captures why writing lesfic is no easy job. Ms. Landen, please don’t feel under-confident about your writing skills – they’re spot on. And maybe another one in the same world about Rowan Satera? (One can always wish, right?)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wildest Dreams by Sarah Sanders

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review-lite

…because…

• Sizzling sex
• Madly appealing MCs
• Great chemistry
• Lovely relationship
• Bonus: a brief appearance of one of our character-loves: Radhika from Jump then Fall

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  

      

Too Good to be True by Leigh Hays

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

This is an age-gap romance, but that description doesn’t do justice to the depth of characterisation and the wonderfully built relationship contained within. 

Madison Hewitt (28) is a social worker. Jen Winslow (42) is a rain-maker in her profession of fundraising. The two run into one another at a wedding and there are sparks between them – more like a flame. Though neither of them is a one-night-stand kind of person, they do end up in bed together. Jen leaves the next morning before Madison wakes, but leaves a note with her number, which Madison throws away. Madison has been pretty much devasted – personally and professionally – by the last woman she was involved with and circumstantially, it looks like Jen is in almost exactly the same situation as Madison’s ex.

But Madison and Jen meet again is a loosely formal work situation. Madison is the social worker in the school that Jen’s son attends. When Madison puts forward a food security proposal, the principal asks Jen to help with the fundraising. It is an awkward situation especially since the draw between them only keeps growing stronger. 

Madison and Jen are wonderfully drawn and given depths, dimensions, backstories and maturity. The chemistry between them is electric (good sexy times too) and the way their relationship is developed simply rocks. In fact, it is so well done that we actually slowed down our reading to savour their feelings and experience our emotions in response to their relationship. 

Both women are struggling with the impact that their pasts have had on them and truly working to deal with that so that they can somehow be together and see where their relationship goes. There is some angst which develops organically in the natural course of their interaction and completely based on all the baggage that they are carrying individually. 

Admittedly the first half flows smoother and faster, but that is because it is the relationship-building stage. That bit always seems to be easier to write and make more immersive. The second half is also strong and we loved the way Madison and Jen deal with their own shortfalls. This ranks with Breathless by Sarah Sanders, Temptation by Kris Bryant, The X Ingredient by Roslyn Sinclair, Kiss the Girl by Melissa Brayden, Jump Then Fall by Sarah Sanders, Off Balance by L.E. Royal and Finding Jessica Lambert by Clare Ashton (amongst others) in our list of excellent age gap romances.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Two to Tangle by Melissa Brayden

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

This is the second in the Tangle Valley series by the inimitable Melissa Brayden. 

Gabriella Russo has moved to small town, Whisper Wall in Oregon, as the chef for the in-the-pipeline restaurant to be opened in Tangle Valley Vineyard owned by Joey Wilder. Gabriella moved to Tangle Valley with her ex, Joey’s close friend, Madison LeGrange, a winemaker of note. Gabriella and Madison sucked as a couple but rock as friends and the threesome have become very close. 

Ryan Jacks is the contractor chosen to build the restaurant, Tangle. Girl with tools, she is quite a player around town knows for her no-strings-attached hook-ups. 

Gabriella and Ryan are attracted towards each other but their path becomes rocky when Madison finds renewed interest in Gabriella and Ryan lets her person demons get better of her.

First off – the writing. Brayden’s unique whimsical funny is always a delight to read and in this one she leans into it with even more self-assurance. The writing, as always, scores big time. 

Gabriella is awesome. Sassy, talented, funny, fiery and all things good. She is a very, very well-developed character. 

We didn’t completely get Ryan. She’s never been in love before so she’d never been hurt before. Given that, her fear of being open is not quite understandable. We do understand the feeling of Imposter Syndrome and not being good enough, but Ryan just carried it too far and too long. Especially when Gabriella, despite Ryan’s disappearing tricks, conquers her hurt and declares her feelings – only to be met with silence from Ryan. Not cool. 

The group of the three friends rocks even if they sound, think and act impossibly alike.  

On the whole a thoroughly entertaining read since it is as always, smartly written by the queen of excellent light reads.

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Three Little Spells by JA Armstrong

 

⭐⭐⭐★

We confess that we picked this novella up only because of its winsome cover. 

Beth Carmichael is a nurse and a leaf-raking-procrastinator. She is in the midst of trying-but-failing to rake the many, many leaves in her garden when her new next door neighbour, Bridget Dobbins, comes across with a ‘hello, I’m new to the neighbourhood’ pie. Beth learns that Bridget has three daughters and assumes that there is a husband also in the background. When she returns the ‘hello’ pie with goodies from McDonalds, she becomes wise to the fact the Bridget is in fact single and gay and the daughters are all adopted. 

Bridget takes the initiative to get to know Beth better and explore their initial attraction further. 

Beth and Bridget are both likeable ladies. The kids (alas, too little page time spent n them) are so cute. (Honestly, with the title and the cover, we’d anticipated much more of the girls). There are some good, funny dialogues and situations at the start but then it all settles into an even-paced, simple, non-angsty read. 

There is really little (or nothing) to find fault with in this one, but then, on the other hand, there is no much t rave about either. 

A good enough short, Halloween read.

⭐⭐⭐★

The Other Women by Erin Zak

 

⭐⭐⭐☆

This one is more a drama than just a romance.

Dramatis personae

Cecily Yates

• Married to a perfectly amiable man, Luke Yates
• Loves him, not in love with him
• Had a hot and heavy relationship with work colleague, Willow Carmichael, for four years having made it clear to Willow that she had no intention of breaking her marriage
• Now separated (after Willow left Chicago for Las Vegas four months back)
• Looking to pick up her relationship with Willow again during her work trip to Vegas

Willow Carmichael

• Something of a player
• Seduced and stayed with a married Cecily knowing that the latter wouldn’t leave her husband
• Claims to love Cecily
• Cruel in dumping Francesca with whom she’d had a relationship for three of her four months in Vegas

Francesca Lopez

• Bartender
• Sweet
• Heartbroken
• Unexpectedly swept away by Cecily (and also sweeping Cecily off her feet) 

Luke Yates

• Amiable
• Considerate

Cecily is the centre of the story. Given that all her actions seem wrong (cheating, having a long illicit affair, closeted with no intention of coming out, getting into an affair with Francesca rather quickly), she is surprisingly very, very likeable. Maybe because she really sees herself and doesn’t make excuses for her behaviour – amongst many other likeable factors. She is a very, very pale shade of grey.

Willow, while not exactly a main player on page, is quite the pivot of the story. She starts off a deep black and ends up a very-close-to-black grey. Barely. 

Francesca is charming, sweet and wholly white. 

Luke also, mostly white. Well, maybe an even paler shade of grey than Cecily. 

We loved the chemistry between Cecily and Francesca and were totally rooting for them. But we just did not get the conflict, particularly Cecily’s actions, words and reactions. This, despite really, really liking Cecily. 

On the whole, we quite enjoyed this book because we were invested in Cecily and in the romance between Cecily and Francesca right up to the end.

⭐⭐⭐☆

Puppy Love by Cara Malone

 

⭐⭐

This is a low-key, rather unconvincing romance. 

Marley St. James is thirty-seven. She’s a vet with partnership in a well-established practise but has a disastrous romantic life. She was emotionally (though not physically) involved with a married woman, Lillian, who claimed to have a bad marriage. That went south when Marley runs into Lillian’s wife at the supermarket and realises that Lillian was only stringing her along. With a history of choosing people who are unavailable in some way or another, Marley is just a tad jealous of all her friends finding the loves of their lives. Because all that Marley really wants is to love and be loved.

Blaire Baker is divorced. As a part of her healing process she attended a Buddhist retreat and has come back with a learning that everything is impermanent and therefore detachment is the key. Her mom’s dog, Toby, is Marley’s patient and Blaire and Marley meet when Blaire takes Toby to the vet. There is immediate attraction between Marley and Blaire which leads to further exploration. 

There is nothing exceptional about either Marley or Blaire – though between the two, Marley reaches you a tad more than Blaire. The relationship between them is at best, mundane. There is a distinct lack of chemistry and connection between them. Also, when Marley is so keen on forever, why she would get into a casual thing is inexplicable. The relationship smacks a little of desperation on Marley’s part. Blaire seems seriously superficial since it takes one conversation with her friend to change her ‘detachment’ world view. 

This one is entirely skippable. 

⭐⭐

The Matchmaker’s Choice by Alexa Woods

 

⭐⭐⭐

This is a straight-forward romance. 

Adley James is a highly strung, slightly flailing, goodhearted and sweet matchmaker. She works with an online matchmaking agency that offers personal support to their clients, which means that a human being, like Adley actually scrutinize and even engage with potential matches before suggesting personal meetings. Adley has had a sting of fails with her last six clients and is terrified that she might lose her job if she doesn’t succeed with her latest client, Stephanie De’Silvo.

Stephanie, a science teacher in high school, is not particularly keen on dating and unsure whether she really wants a match. She comes from money and finds that it colours the interactions during dating, hence, not keen. Deep in a closet, in a tightly shut drawer is the small kernel of truth that Steph actually likes women, ergo, unsure about being matched with a man. 

Adley is instantly attracted to Steph and is in the unenviable position of trying to get a match for her while kinda hoping that the matches don’t work out but that would mean losing her job. 

Adley and Steph are pleasant characters. The scene-stealer is Adley’s niece, Tilda. The attraction is decent. There is some sort of angst that we’ve completely forgotten. Part of the book reads really well but then when the conflict starts getting introduced, it is a little meh. 

On the whole, this is a non-intense, mostly predictable romance.

⭐⭐⭐

True Hearts by Ellie Green

 

⭐⭐

Set in a small town in Australia, this romance leaves much to be desired.

Gem Tillings was a baker in Melbourne with a shop specializing in vegan offerings. The business failed leaving Gem in debt and owing money to her parents and the bank. A friend gets her an office job in a school in Tyndall, a place that is a little more than a village. Miscommunication by the estate agent finds Gem without a place to lie when she arrives. As a solution, she is offered 9and she accepts) the only other property available – a shop which also has a tiny bedroom and bathroom attached.

Marnie is the overworked local vet who is also the landlord of the shop Gem’s renting. Marnie is a loner and considered slightly weird by the local for her keeping-to-herself ways.

The attraction between the two runs into the wall of Marnie’s extreme introversion which is at complete odds with Gem’s outgoing personality. 

Gem and Marnie are developed in detail. But the pull between them is completely lacking. Marnie is the more difficult character between the two, blowing hot blowing cold, jumping to conclusions and seemingly unable to get over herself. She is just way too much work and effort. If the intensity of burn and heat between the two was more, we could probably have rooted for them but as it is written, we felt zero involvement in the goings-on and the relationship. And therein lies the problem with the book – it doesn’t get us involved, though there is ample opportunity for it to have been and immersive read. 

Also, it begins very well. the introductory scenes of both the women and their first meeting were very well done. But that set an expectation of something written in a faster, breezier way. The sudden change of approach made the whole experience of the book nosedive. 

This one just didn’t grab us.

⭐⭐

A Breathless Place by Harper Bliss

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Isabel Adler, once a phenomenon in the world of music and winner of thirty-six (or thirty-seven) Grammys, loses her singing voice because of a surgery. The loss of her ability to sing is beyond debilitating for Izzy. She feels anchorless, adrift and almost like she’s lost herself and her identity. Almost a decade after the disaster of the operations, at almost sixty, Izzy has decided that she doesn’t want to continue this was any more. She decides to stop being. 

As her final acts, she is in the process of getting her autobiography written and she is secretly composing a farewell letter to her loved ones. A letter explaining herself and her decision. 

Six months before the date she has set for herself, her biographer has an accident and is replaced by another journalist, a Pulitzer-award winner, Leila Zedah. Leila turns out to be unexpected, to say the least. Her personality and presence create upheavals in Izzy’s controlled life. Their chemistry is completely disarming. Izzy finds herself captivated by Leila and drawn into a relationship which surpasses the initial no-strings-attached expectation. 

First off, a trigger warning. This basis of this book is suicide ideation. So, if that is in any way a trigger for you, you may want to think before you dive into it. 

Having got the trigger warning out of the way: this is a fabulous read Izzy and Leila are both beautiful women who have been written with love and care. Both have been fleshed out wonderfully. The chemistry between them is awesome. 

Izzy’s struggle to hold on to her decision, which has been five years in the making, warring against the undertow caused by her growing feelings and relationship with Leila is excellently understood and written. We love the fact that when Izzy ends up showing Leila her in-progress goodbye letter, Leia points out that this is an act of someone wanting to be dissuaded. The scene is well-thought out, extremely well-written and there is maturity, kindness and love in Leila’s conversation with Izzy. 

The premise of the book is very vaguely similar to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (ex-megastar deciding to end their life because of irreparable medial reasons and having their biography written) but the trajectory of the book is completely different.

This is rather an intense read but is rewarding in every way. We definitely recommend it. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Twice Shy by Aurora Rey, Narrated by Keira Grace (Audiobook)

 

⭐⭐⭐★

Amanda Russo, owner of Bake My Day, is a successful businesswoman on her way to expanding her popular bakery. She’d just bought the space next door and meets with the architect, Quinn Sullivan, to discuss her vision. 

Amanda and Quinn are both divorced women. Amanda’s ex, Mel, cheated on her and left her and their two kids (now teenagers). Ditto Quinn. Neither of them is particularly looking to get into another relationship despites friends and family egging them to at least date and put themselves out there, maybe just a little. 

On an overnight visit to see her daughter’s recital, Amanda ends up sleeping with Mel, who is in the process of ending things with her new wife (because new wife wants kids and Mel doesn’t). And then they sleep together again. And then the fix up a date for which Mel doesn’t turn up. 

Quinn is attracted to Amanda right away but being somewhat shy and insecure doesn’t particularly do anything about it. But soon they do end up spending time together and their relationship develops. 

So, the synopsis is sketchy considering that there is a lot of presence of Amanda’s children and Mel in this book. Also, the relationship between Amanda and Quinn is developed at an unhurried and convincing pace. The two ladies are very well-developed characters and we really get to know them well. Plus, couple of smoking hot sex scenes. 

But there are a couple of things that weren’t particularly understandable. First, Amanda repeatedly sleeping with Mel and agreeing to meet her for a date all the while loudly protesting that she doesn’t want them to get back together. Didn’t compute. (For the record, Mel seems to be a jerk with her wives. But a mom she seems to have a good relationship with the kids and also seems to be someone the children can count on in times of emergency.) 

The second thing we didn’t quite get was – why exactly did Quinn want a break? Mel made a grand gesture that Amanda rejected. Amanda goes to Quinn post that fiasco…and Quinn asks for space? Huh? There’s lots of mature dialogue but we like are romances to be, well, romantic. More feeling, less thought. 

Keira Grace has a lovely voice and does a great job with the nine-plus hours. But there were times when we wished we’d read the book instead of listening to it – we’d have like to hear voices, intonations and emotions from our imagination in this one. We’d probably have got more involved into it them. Guess we are hardcore readers, after all.

⭐⭐⭐★

Wild Things by Karin Kallmaker, Narrated by Abby Craden (Audiobook)

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Review-lite

…because…this is a lesfic classic

• First published in the 1990s, this book undoubtedly started off as a Xena fanfic – but has nothing really to do with the serial. It would’ve been an uber fic.
• Like Denial from around the same time and probably with the same Xena-fanfic genesis, this has one MC (Faith) involved with the other MC’s (Sydney) brother
• Like many books of that time, this has the two MCs struggling against their attraction towards each other
• Struggles with owning one’s sexuality – a mid-thirties coming of age story
• Big role of religion and homophobic parents contextualize and capture the period perfectly
• We somehow find that the books written is the 1990s are incredibly emotionally passionate – the angst, the feelings, the struggles, the rampant emotions – all so passionate and immersive
• The angst!
• Great characterisation
• We adore (read that in all caps) Faith Fitzgerald 
• Abby Craden. Nothing more to be said there. Except…no one whispers as seductively as she does.

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

The Big Tow: An Unlikely Romance by Ann McMan

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

This crime-com is such a zany, fun, irreverent ride of entertainment that we’re totally signing up for the next instalment. Think: the absurd, fun impossibility of Ruthless People marrying the stylish heists of If Tomorrow Comes and here is the child of that union. 

Synopsis-wise, the blurb is perfect, so we’re just going with it here.

“Welcome to the National Recovery Bureau, where your assets are as sacred as God’s holy word.”

Vera “Nick” Nicholson is an overtaxed and underpaid attorney wasting away on the bottom rung of the gilded ladder at Turner, Witherspoon, Anders, and Tyler, PA in Winston-Salem, NC. When a high-priced luxury car belonging to one of the firm’s top clients goes missing, Nick gets saddled with the unenviable job of recovering the vehicle—and its mysterious contents—without involving the cops. Enter Fast Eddie and his quirky band of misfits at The National Recovery Bureau, a repo agency located in a sleepy town called K-Vegas.

When Nick is unceremoniously furloughed from TWAT, she throws caution to the wind and signs on to become the newest agent of the NRB, teaming up with moonlighting third-grade schoolteacher, Frances “Frankie” Stohler. Frankie’s mortician father and beautician mother are stalwarts of the Winston-Salem community—so it’s no surprise that everyone across three counties has some connection to her family. What is surprising, however, is the Slim Jim Frankie carries in her purse and her preternatural talent for jacking cars.

Nick and Frankie’s stumbling entrée into the surreal world of asset recovery takes them on a hilarious, fast-paced and mind-bending journey across the back roads and byways of the Tar Heel state, setting into motion a chain of misadventures that lead them both toward financial independence, cataclysmic legal jeopardy, and the discovery that true love can sometimes lurk in the most unlikely places.

But the real magic is in the writing and the bunch of wacky characters. Much like McMan’s Jericho, there are a large number of excellently developed secondary characters in this one too. Our top favourites are Antigone, Carol Jenkins and Frankie’s Hermoine-like purse. 

Frankie (small sigh) is awesome. So awesome. Bright, peppy, enthusiastic, enterprising, funny…sexy. We so love her response to vague statements:

“I think want to kiss you.” 

“When will you be sure?”

And

“…I’d think you were flirting with me.”

“You mean you’re not sure? I must not be doing it right.”

Nick is the opposite of Frankie. A Negative Nervous Nelly and quite a downer in the whole proceeding. The book is written in first person from Nick’s PoV, so there way too much of her, but everything and everyone else is just so great that Nick was rescued and she also floated on the high fun-crest of this delightful book.

There is attraction between Frankie and Nick, but the romance is woven into the narrative rather than the narrative being woven around the romance. And it works perfectly. 

This is most definitely amongst the ten funniest sit-com books we’ve read and in the top three crime-coms. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★