The hero and heroine were perfectly formed before they arrived on the page with all their demons already slain. That’s great for them but leaves precious little plot for us.

✔️ Dual POVs (Wes x Ada) ✔️ Set in Wyoming ✔️ Open-door contemporary romance (3/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Workplace romance (he’s the boss)

The suspense in this novel is equal to the romance. I loved every twist and turn. At the end of the last book, I expected Mark to be angry. Here, we’re finally in his POV, and he’s desperate to get both his revenge and his lovers.

The writing. OH MY GOD THE WRITING. I’ve highlighted 50 words that were unexpected and so perfect. The prose is ancient justaxposed with modern. I re-read passages just to hear the lyricism in my head.

✔️ Triple POV (Mark x Tristian x Isolde) ✔️ Set in Washington, DC ✔️ Open-door contemporary romance (5/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Ménage; Romantic suspense; myth retelling ⚠️ High heat!

The year of reading Kleypas continues, and the Ravenels series is off to a great start! I loved every moment of this book. At times, I was annoyed with the real world because I could have been reading.

I was a little surprised at how much the Helen and Winterbourne story is included here. Pending reading the second book, I’d say this is a must-read if you are going to attempt Marrying Winterbourne.

✔️ Dual POVs (Devon, Earl of Trenear x Kathleen) ✔️ Set in Victorian Hampshire, England ✔️ Open-door historical romance (4/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Widow romance

This is a slow burn — for good reason! Check all the content warnings because this is a story of healing and forgiveness (with therapy!). I also love a book with a deep sense of place, and we get lovely glimpses of New Zealand throughout.

✔️ Dual POV (Gabriel x Charlotte) ✔️ Set in New Zealand ✔️ Open-door contemporary romance (4/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Abusive past; workplace romance ⚠️ CW: SA; Stalking

This book truly flew by. Every moment Clay and Florence were on the page was electric. I always appreciate the historical research Joanna Shupe weaves in — and it never feels heavy handed.

✔️ Dual POV (Clay x Florence) ✔️ Set in Gilded Age New York City ✔️ Open-door historical romance (4.5/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Teacher-student; gambling ✔️ Part of a series but can be read as a standalone

This book felt abrupt from start to finish. First, he’s throwing a rock star tantrum. Then, she’s in love after a hug. I think my main problem was I really just wanted to be reading “Managed” by Kristen Callihan, and that’s really my own problem.

✔️ Single POV (Lena) ✔️ Set in Portland, Oregon (place not a major feature) ✔️ Open-door contemporary romance (4/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Rock star romance; sobriety; mommy issues

He was a…sex weapon? Sure, why not. This world is absolutely bonkers, but the heart of each story is always about overcoming challenges and finding a partner who truly understands what “partnership” means.

✔️ Dual POV (Rune x Josephine) ✔️ Set in the world of the Lore with vampires, phantoms, dark fey, and more! ✔️ Open-door paranormal romance (5/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Fated mates

This book wasn’t big or bonkers. It was small and quiet, but that can be quite beautiful, too. Just two people figuring their past, present, and future out.

✔️ Dual POV (Levi x Georgie) ✔️ Set in Virginia ✔️ Open-door contemporary romance (3/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Small town romance

This was a good time! It was fun and full of lively banter. I’ve only read a handful of other books by this duo, but it was MUCH less spicier than I’m used to. It felt like I was missing a huge chunk of their relationship that was super important to them. The first person narration WITH a closed-door romance makes the rest of the book seem less personal.

✔️ Single POV (Olive) ✔️ Set in Minnesota ✔️ Closed-door contemporary romance (2.5/5🌶️) ✔️ Tropes: Fake dating; in-law romance