Sponsored by The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey
Darcy Wells would rather spend her life between the pages of books than deal with the crushing reality of her mother’s hoarding. While Darcy is struggling to survive under the weight of mother’s compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into her local bookstore . . . and into her heart. For the first time in her life, Darcy doesn’t have the right words. And securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she’ll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth—even if it’s messy.
It’s Thursday again, and we’re back on schedule with new books!
Over on Book Riot
Holiday reads! Take this quiz to see which one you should pick up next.
Do you watch way too much HGTV? You definitely want to check out these renovation romances.
We’ve been talking about queer women in mixed-gender romances for a while. Casey’s got some more for us to check out, with links to older lists to really build out your TBR.
If you need someone to tell you that it’s okay not to read, Leah is here to do it. Very eloquently, too.
I’m still not sure how to define horror romance, but I know one when I see it. I really do wish we had more of these, because I hate being scared, but I love stressed out people falling in love.
And if you’re looking for queer women in historical romance, Casey’s got some of those for you, too. I’ve mentioned a few of them here, but it’s always nice to have them all in one place!
Deals
If you find yourself in need of a nice fake relationship, Pretending He’s Mine by Mia Sosa is 99 cents. The second book in her Love on Cue series, this one has those two delightful elements: friends to lovers and a fake relationship. Julian has a thing for his best friend’s younger sister (yes, it’s one of those), and Ashley has a pretty resonant crush on him. She doesn’t do relationships, but she wants Julian to want her. She gets one step closer when circumstances leave her moving in with him, but things really come to a head when she asks him to fake being in a relationship with her.
New Books!
I am apparently on a marriage of convenience kick, because I have to talk about this soapy mess of a book that I devoured this week.
Lush Money
Angelina M. Lopez
How soapy do you like your romances? If your answer is “not at all” then you probably want to stay away from this book. If your answer is “as a bubble bath” then you definitely want to try this book out.
Mateo is a prince. Literally. His father is the king of a principality and has been overspending to the point of the region’s near bankruptcy. So when Roxanne Medina offers him a contract for marriage and three nights a month, in order to produce them both an heir and restore the monetary flow to the Monte, he isn’t sure what to think. While balking at the idea at first, he can’t say no to the money. Or to any amount of sex with the gorgeous billionaire. There are all kinds of twists and turns in the story, as the two discover more about each other and their situations. And Mateo’s father’s spending is only part of the story.
Note: this book has continued conversation about getting pregnant, as well as discussion of child abuse and neglect.
I know it’s not brand new, but I am also looking forward to rounding out the marriage-of-convenience trifecta that began with Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience with Jodie Slaughter’s White Whiskey Bargain, which is a modern marriage of convenience set in Appalachia.
Other new books I’m looking forward to picking up soon:
Recipe for Chaos by Jaxon Knight
One Walk in Winter by Georgia Beers
The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton
A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Beverly Jenkins (rerelease; first time as a standalone)
I Knead You Tonight by Teagan Hunter (I KNOOOOOOW)
Daddy by Jack Harbon
Christmas With the Billionaire & A Tiara For Christmas by Niobia Bryant and Carolyn Hector
Christmas Kisses by Farrah Rochon
What are you excited to read this weekend?
As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!