Hey y’all, welcome to the Kissing Books newsletter. I hope your spirit is doing well today. I’m PN Hinton, your guide through the roller coaster of a ride that the world of romance can be. If this is your first time reading this newsletter, I’m glad that you’re here. If you’re a regular reader, welcome back; it’s always good to see you.
Last Saturday, I celebrated Independent Bookstore Day by checking out Black Pearl Books for the first time. And believe me, it won’t be the last time. I walked in and immediately felt relaxed. The space was open, warm, and inviting. The owners were friendly and it had a nice variety of books to choose from. They also had merchandise that I will need to go back and get some so I can promote them as I’m out and about since we all know how important it is to boost these types of bookstores so they can flourish.
And of course I did snag a few books, including Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell Taj McCoy for the romance pick. I can’t wait to get to it.
Book Riot Romance:
Check out the latest episode of When in Romance, where Jess and Trisha discuss what they’re currently reading, give backlist recommendations, and discuss their opinion on the Tessa Bailey cover scandal as well as the history of romance novel covers.
I don’t know about y’all, but bookish romances are the bee’s knees for me.
I adored this piece on why it was important to have fat men in romance novels too.
Around the Web in Romance:
It’s AAPI Heritage Month and prolific author Jackie Lau put together this list of books by Asian authors that are available for a good price for those who may also book buy on a budget.
Here are some of the Spring romances that we have to look forward to. Please note that the Tessa Bailey cover, for better or worse, has been changed.
If you’re specifically looking for some M/M Spring romances, here’s some more books for your reading consideration.
It’s always a good time to recommend a good historical romance.
Check out this interview with Golda Rosheuvel, aka Queen Charlotte, on being told to not come out and essentially saying eff off. I already admired her, and this just solidified that.
If you’re a fan of house renovations, flipping, or the like, then you may find happiness with some of the books listed here.
Check out these sexual tension situations and find out where you stand with others in terms of the heat level.
And finally, I couldn’t help but share this after Monday’s newsletter since it made me laugh out loud…hard. There may have even been snorting.
Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!
Recommendations:
As mentioned earlier, May is AAPI Heritage Month! While I endeavor to read diversely all year around, I will admit to making a concentrated effort when it comes to awareness or history months. It can get very boring to only read about one specific type of person and reading about other cultures, even if genre fiction, can be illuminating on multiple levels.
So, with that in mind, my recommendations for this week are books selected to highlight AAPI authors. I’m also planning on picking up the first one listed here once I finish one of my currently reading books since my reading rules for me this year are no more than 3 books at once.
Please also note that I am recommending these books for the authors themselves and that the books listed here may not necessarily feature AAPI characters.
The Donut Trap by Juliet Tieu
After graduating college and having no job prospects, Jasmine returns home to work in her family’s donut shop. When a rent increase threatens the future of her family business, she turns to Alex, her old college crush, for help. Sparks fly and there seems to be hope of a future romance until a disastrous dinner date shatters preconceptions and puts both sets of parents against the match. Will Julie be able to pull it all together to save her family business and the hope of a future with Alex?
The Singles Table by Sara Desai
After a terrible break-up, Zara makes a new rule to only be the matchmaker and not the matched. One wedding, she is sat at the same table as Jay, and they strike up a bargain; if he introduces her to his celebrity clients, she will find him his perfect match. However, as the spend the wedding season together, they begin to wonder if they’re avoiding the happily ever after staring them in the face.
The One in My Heart by Sherry Thomas
What was supposed to be a one-night stand turns into a six-month fake engagement when Eva’s sexy doctor neighbor makes her an offer she can’t refuse. As she goes along with the arrangement, she wonders if she will be able to stop herself from falling in love with a man who, once the contract has expired, is likely to leave without so much as a backwards glance — or is she signing up for an extended stay at the Heartbreak Hotel?
And that’s all I have for you today. I’ll be back Monday with a fresh newsletter. In the meantime, I can be found posting on Twitter under @Pscribe801. Have a great weekend and happy reading until then.