Long Story Short is the story of Freya, an assistant to a hot shot literary agent, and a moody romance author, Jake, who had recently had been overheard talking shit about writing romance novels, and the fans that he makes money off of. The timing couldn’t be worse. An article went out before a major romance book conference that is make it or break it for both Freya and Jake. Oh, and by the way, Freya has been a huge fan of Jake Richards for years. His books inspired her career, her love of happy endings, and her dreams of finding that big, life-altering love. Long Story Short may be another “enemies to lovers” trope romance novel, but it hits different. I found Long Story Short to be quite addicting. The journey is detailed, it’s complicated, and full of growth. Our main characters are funny and likable. The story doesn’t just focus on the romance brewing between the main characters, it has depth. Freya explores her next chapter in her career. She explores the world (well, NYC during the free hours she isn’t at the conference). She finds her voice. It was refreshing to see the female main character’s career be an important part of the storyline, especially in a romance novel. Love isn’t the “be all end all” here but it’s a great part of Freya’s story. Long Story Short does more than tell a love story between our main characters, it’s a love story to one’s self. Long Story Short tells the story of Freya and Jake finding themselves in life, in their careers, before they can fully find each other.

Molly is going through it. Her best friend, Lou, is getting married. What should be a fun, luxurious hen do for the bride, has turned into what feels like a reality TV show, when the bridal party shows up to the private villa to find that it was double booked, & that a bachelor party for a whole different wedding is also staying there. Both parties are playing games, and are hoping to come out the victors. Will the tension between the two parties become chemistry? The book started out a slow burn, but about halfway in, it started moving like wildfire. Too Hot to Handle executed the forced proximity, enemies to lovers trope in a fun, unexpected way.

Amplitudes is a collection of twenty-two stories written by LGBTQIA+ writers. Each chapter tells a wildly different story from diverse queer perspectives. This collection of stories is edited by Lee Mandela. Many of the stories have a post-apocalyptic vibe, which for me, have been difficult to read given the world’s current societal climate. As a pansexual woman married to a trans woman, I love the queer perspective. Some stories are purely about survival in a new world, others bring the spice, which is more of my cup of LGBTea. While the post-apocalyptic vibe isn’t for me, I think this book is great for those who enjoy those types of stories. Immediately recommending this to my wife, who is always reading futuristic sci-fi novels. Some of my standout stories included: The Orgasm Doula, by Colin Dean Moonwife by Sarah Gailey Blueprint for Destruction of Solitude by Paul Evenly The Garden of Collective Memory by Neon Yang A Step into Emptiness by Aiki Mira pocket futures in the present past by Katharine Duckett

Five strangers living in NYC, “Awkward Neighbor Guy” (Collin), Cheery Mailman (Omar), Rainbow Lady (Núria), Sad Bodega Man (Bong) and Lily (Bright-Pink Person) all have one thing in common, Cat. Cat (Cat, Gatito, or Itim… depends who’s asking), is a neighborhood stray black cat. Cat’s People tells the story of how their interactions with Cat bring them together, forging connections. Everyone is going through it. Collin is working through social anxiety, Núria is lonely, Bong is recently widowed, Omar has some career decisions to consider, and Lily has some family stuff she’s working through. The common denominator is their feline friend, Cat, who loves them from a safe distance. He’s a stray, after all. Because of their love for cat, the lives of these strangers become intertwined. As these strangers cross paths, friendships form, and hope is on the horizon. The themes and details in Cat’s People made me feel connected to the characters in ways that I can’t explain. The themes that our main characters go through are all so relatable. The little details such as Rainbow Lady’s Catalan name, or the description of certain things, like a shift dress I was talking about 5 minutes before with my spouse, helped me relate to the book on a random level… learning about Catalan culture on a trip to Barcelona, and recently shopping for a shift dress. While my connections are seemingly random, those details made me see myself in Cat’s circle. Cat’s People was surprisingly deep, and nothing like anything else I’ve ever read. I loved it.

Mari’s story is set in the 1800s in Positano, Italy. Mari is the fire-haired leader of the sea witches or streghe del mar, who are able to wield the power of the sea. The streghe used their powers to protect Positano from rough seas, from pirates, and anything else that dared threaten their town via the sea. Despite having this incredible gift, she loathed the sea. The sea had taken her mother, her sister, and she was finally ready to get away. She plans to leave after passing on her knowledge to the other sea witches. Her plan includes Holmes, a sailor that she has fallen in love with. Holmes works for the biggest threat to Positano, the Mezza brothers. Can he be trusted? Haven, a marine archeologist, in the present day, arrives to Positano, to study the mysterious Li Galli shipwreck sites (and embark on her late father’s side quest, which may include recovering lost jewels). Upon her arrival, weird things start to happen. Vesuvius is threatening to erupt, a yacht went down on the Li Galli site, and then, a former colleague, Conrad, threatens her project. She enlists the help from a local scuba company owner, Enzo (He’s gorgeous, I might add). Will the Amalfi Curse thwart her life’s work? The Amalfi Curse stays true to Sarah Penner’s writing style, a brilliant blend of historical fiction, modern days, & magic. She does a brilliant job tying the stories together for an ever so satisfying ending. If you loved The Lost Apothecary & The London Séance Society as much as I did, you will love The Amalfi Curse. Thank you Edelweiss & Park Row for the opportunity to review this ARC!