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Martin and Peggy Chance are celebrating fifty years of wedded bliss. For their three grown children though, love hasn’t come easy. Ford is devoted to his work and resistant to romance… or so he claims. Cooper can’t get past his divorce—until he reconnects with a feisty baker from his past. And Palmer is the free spirit who always pictured herself with someone other than a handsome small-town family doctor. Can they come together to celebrate their parents’ love, and maybe take a chance on love themselves? USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn returns with a fun and flirty romantic comedy.
Hey y’all, welcome to the Kissing Books newsletter. I hope your spirit is doing well. I’m PN Hinton, your guide through the roller coaster of a ride that the world of romance can be. If it is your first time here, welcome and if you’re a regular reader welcome back.
I got my hair done last weekend and I love the burst of confidence it has given me. I went with a blue-black color, because I don’t do subtle when I change my hair, and it is a stark difference. My hair is naturally lighter in color, leaning more towards brown and occasionally in the summer red highlights. So, it is noticeable, which is always a plus.
In reading news, I finished Rebel and, naturally, loved it. I also started I’m So (Not) Over You. I am also looking forward to this weekend since I’m going to see my local symphony play along with the 1961 version of West Side Story with my sister and another friend.
Romance Reflection
Today’s reflection was prompted by this tweet I saw the other day. It references screenshots where cis-gender women were saying it was ‘okay-er’ in M/M romances because it wasn’t against a woman. Let’s make one thing clear:
It doesn’t matter if it’s a M/F, M/M, or F/F romance or any other kind of romance; abuse is not okay and it sure as hell is not sexy. There really isn’t an argument here and you can’t change my mind. It is not a preference thing either, like preferring dark romances. Domestic abuse is terrible and has risen substantially in the last few years thanks to COVID-19.
I can’t even begin to fathom what type of person thinks that mindset referenced above makes any lick of sense. It perpetuates the stereotype that men can’t be abused at all. Which is shite; they’re still human which means they can. This also isn’t a matter of preferring one trope over another either. There’s no ‘abuse’ trope.
Stop trying to make domestic abuse sexy. It’s never going happen.
Book Riot Romance
Happy 100th episode to When in Romance! Be sure to listen to this monumental episode and celebrate with Jess and Trisha.
I really appreciated reading this thank you letter from Rioter Laura about her love of queer romances.
Be sure to also take this quiz from Rioter Sarah to find your next romance read.
There’s also still time to check out and buy some of our Wordle-inspired merchandise.
Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!
Around the Web in Romance
You may recall me previously discussing a “Best of Romance Novel” bracket in the works. Well, it’s finally here and you have until next Monday to submit your nominations for it.
Take this quiz to find a queer romance to pick up next.
And if you’ve already read the book that the quiz gave you, then check out this list of 41 Queer Romances for other options.
I have this same question…
And I agree with this sentiment. Of course I would much prefer a rom-com for the HEA.
Recommendations
My recommendations for this last full week of February are books that feature a red cover. It was an intentional choice to hold off on using this color last for a few reasons. One is that I think a lot of people think of red when they think of Valentine’s Day; so, holding off helped to heighten the anticipation. It was also a challenge for me since red is my favorite color so choosing this color right out of the gate felt like it would have been a bit of a cheat for me.
But the wait is over and here are some of my recommendations for books with predominantly red covers.
The Naked Duke by Sally MacKenzie
Philadelphian Sarah is on vacation in London and awakens one day with a naked man in her bed. Any hopes of sweeping this under the rug are dashed since there were witnesses, so Sarah is now considered compromised. The man, James, claims to be a duke and offers to marry her to save her reputation but she is not receptive to this offer. James finds himself entranced by her character though and is determined to win her hand and love.
The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan
Amelia is a genius who prefers the company of herself to others, something that has served her well so far in her life. That is, until word of her genius reaches Captain Grayson who finds out she discovered a way to cut the cost of telegraphic transmissions. He sets out determined to get her into his employment no matter the cost. Amelia is equally as determined to turn down the offer until she realizes she wants more from Grayson than a job: his heart. And she will stop at nothing to get it.
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
After having to witness her ex-fiancé getting married, Lucy is eager to get out of the city. So, when she finds a letter from Catherine, the Countess of Moth, asking for assistance in translating a text on astronomy, she just shows up at her doorstep. Catherine, looking forward to a quiet life as a widow, finds herself entranced by this young woman’s initiation. As Lucy translates the text, the women find themselves falling in love with one another and wonder if they’ll be able to overcome their challenges to have a happily ever after.
Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!
That’s all she wrote for today friends. I hope that this upcoming weekend is full of reading and relaxing for you. I’ll be back Monday with more romance updates and new releases. Until then.