Greetings and salutations! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to give you the rundown on the world of romance, including new releases, recommendations, and other entertaining ways to pass your time.
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I’m currently reading an ARC of Game On by Seressia Glass, and it was like the jolt of joy I needed after the last book I finished ended up being a “just okay” thriller. I also recently picked up You, Again, both to work on my purchased-in-2023-TBR-pile and to get prepared for the Romance Book Club meetup at one of my local indies, and I was already delighted with it one chapter in. I definitely see the When Harry Met Sally vibes already and am here for it. In fact, I may be due for a re-watch of this soon.
Bookish Goods
Sleepy Hollow Candle by AARKAORIGINS
I know that most people may think of Sleepy Hollow as being just for the horror lovers, but, to be fair, there is a love triangle at the center of the story. I’m also sharing this candle in honor of one of this week’s new releases that I’m super excited about (see below) since it would be perfect to use while reading it. There are three options for this, with the one pictured starting at $25
New Releases
Splinter by Jasper Hyde
Dr. Drusilla is the medical examiner for Sleepy Hollow, and when the bodies of her sister’s friends start showing up sans their heads, it’s more than a little concerning. The reappearance of her ex, Ichabod, doesn’t help the stress levels for her, either. When an encounter with the Headless Horseman ends with her sister Katrina going missing, she has to turn to Ichabod for his monster-hunting skills to try to find her before it is too late, even if their feelings are not even close to being buried.
Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
Noah and Sage are both extremely talented webcomic artists who have worked hard to get where they are. They are also long-time rivals, and this is heightened when the two are paired together for the relaunch of Queen Leisah, a cult classic. Now they have to work as a team, or at least give the appearance of cooperation, to make sure nothing derails this exciting event. Soon, the close working quarters lead to the two women looking at each other in a different way than they ever had before.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
It occurred to me the other day that human beings really are a social species. Even the most introverted of introverts craved some in-person interaction during the initial height of the pandemic in 2020.
And while this doesn’t mean we’re all clamoring to go into the out all the time (’cause I know I’m not), it does somewhat account for why radio, or more currently, podcasts, are so popular. Even if you’re by yourself, you’re listening to someone speak rather than music or the sound of silence around you all the time.
With that in mind, today’s recommendations feature podcast/radio show hosts. Enjoy!
Crimes of Passion by Jack Harbon
Emery and Calvin are podcast hosts who can’t stand one another. However, when the last wish of a late fan was to have them do a collaboration, neither feel that they can turn the request down. When their numbers begin to take off after the recording is done, neither can deny the chemistry that they obviously have both in and outside of the studio.
Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown
Paris is a late-night radio talk show host in Austin, Texas, who finds herself the target of a bitter, jilted man. Valentino, as he refers to himself, blames her for his girlfriend leaving him and calls in one night to let her know he is planning on killing his ex and then coming after her. Fearing for her life, Paris has to join forces with APD and crime psychologist Dean, someone whom she has a complicated history with. Old passions arise as they work together to try to make sure that Valentino doesn’t get the chance to make good on his threat.
Pick a character from these rom-coms and get a ’90s heartthrob.
And that’s all I have for y’all this fine Monday morning. I’ll be back in your inboxes on Thursday, and in the meantime, I’m still known to float around over on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated.