Happy Holidays y’all!! Welcome, or welcome back, to the Kissing Books newsletter. I’m PN Hinton, here to share my love of the romance genre with like-minded readers through a myriad of ways.
This weekend is my book club’s annual Book-mas celebration, and I’m very much looking forward to it. This is the one month of the year when we do not pick a book to read. Rather, we focus on getting together to eat good food, relax, and just have a good time. Plus presents! I’m going to attempt to make a Yule Log cake, so wish me baking luck!
In reading news, I’m still working my way through It’s a Fabulous Life, Game On, and Bride and am thoroughly enjoying all three. In other things bringing me joy, Murdle is a part of my daily routine, much like Wordle, and each day, I work to keep my impressive-to-me streak going strong.
It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.
Bookish Goods
Christmas Romance Shirt by RebelRushCo
This shirt is perfect for anyone who can’t resist a snowed-in love story or a Hallmark-style Christmas romance. $32+
New Releases
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
Archaeologist Corrie’s lifelong dream has been to go on an excavation to the Mexican jungle and try to locate the remains of ancient Aztec warrior Chimalli, who also happens to be her ancestor. When she gets the opportunity to make this trip, the only drawback is that she will be working with Dr. Ford, a fellow archeologist and former classmate with whom she has a complicated past. But when they both begin to notice signs that their site may be compromised by an outside party, they mutually agree to put their differences aside to find the culprit, while simultaneously trying to ignore their mutual attraction.
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
After a scandal threatens TV writer Eli’s career, he returns to his childhood home to recalibrate. He’s more than a little nervous as this is his first time home post-transition and becoming sober. Once there, he works to survive his overbearingly loving family as well as tries to hide the fact that his dream career is more nightmarish than he lets on. When he bumps into single dad Nick, who is also his ex, this just adds another layer of complication. As the two start to hang out again, old feelings stir, and they both must decide if this fate is handing them the opportunity for a second chance at romance.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Today, I have a few more 2023 releases that may have flown under your radar or are already on your TBR pile waiting to be read.
Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly
While Alexei and Ben both intended to take their hike along the Pacific Crest Trail solo, a series of unexpected circumstances kept throwing them together. Neither man intended to find love on this journey, especially considering their different personalities. But Fate seems to have a different plan in mind, and soon, love enters the picture. The one question that can’t be ignored is if it will stay once their journey is over or if it was just a passing fancy.
Not the Plan by Gia de Cadenet
Isodora is working hard to ensure that her boss wins a spot as a U.S. Representative since that will put her in arm’s length of her dream job of being a congressional aide. Karim is the attractive man who also happens to be campaigning for her boss’s political rival. While they both feel drawn to one another, they also know that, due to the conflicts of interest, they should remain apart. But they soon give in to their desires and as election nights draws closer, they both can’t help but wonder what will happen to this newfound relationship when the results are read.
Take this quiz to find out which Ali Hazelwood character you are. My result was a very accurate attack.
And that’s all I have for y’all today. I’ll be back on Monday with a fresh new newsletter, and in the meantime, I can still be found flittering around on the bird app under @PScribe801. You can also give me a follow over on my new-ish Instagram @pns_bookish_world. Until we meet again, happy reading and stay hydrated.