Hello and 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.
It’s the first of May! That means a lot of different things for some people. Teachers and students alike are likely looking forward to the end of school. People may kick off summer by going to the beach as a family before settling into summer. As for me, my mind is boggled that I’m this close to having a high school sophomore. The time…it flies.
Be sure to check out Book Riot’s latest podcast First Edition. Here co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the entirety of the bookish world, using interviews, recommendations, and more from well-known people in the bookish community. One recent episode had Editors Vanessa Diaz and Kelly Jensen reminiscing on their initial introduction to Judy Blume’s classic, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret as well as their take rereading it as an adult. No matter what your reading preference, you’ll find something for you here!
Bookish Goods
Witchy & Bookish Sticker by EmeraldFernPress
It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say I am full on leaning into my witchy tendencies as of late. And I am loving every minute of it. So this simple and stylish sticker was right up my alley. If it also caught your eye, it can be yours for the price of $3.75.
New Releases
Best Men by Sidney Karger
Max and Paige have been the closest of friends since childhood. So, when Paige gets engaged, naturally she wants Max to be her Man of Honor. While Max happily takes on the role, it also comes with a bit of a shock that carefree Paige is settling down before the romantic Max. He also has to learn how to get along with Chasten, who is the groom’s younger brother and Best Man, who appears to be his complete opposite. The two men know that they cannot take away from Paige’s day and resolve to get along, not realizing that this would open the door to a romantic relationship between the two of them.
Changing Spaces by Karmen Lee
Star loves her job at the Anisse & Clover Diner, even if it leaves little time for her love life. When the management passes over from mother to daughter, the titular Anisse, she finds herself adjusting to not just this change but the attraction she feels for her new boss. Anisse is looking forward to reinventing the diner with the help of Star, if the latter would only make the time for meeting up. When they eventually do sit down to work on the rebranding, both are hit with mutual attraction and wonder if they can balance the roles of boss/employee and girlfriend.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
There has been a lot of righteous woman rage lately. And I say righteous because, while we’ve always had some reason to be angry, it is especially true as of late. This mentality is being expressed in songs like “Labour” and “Little Girl Gone” and in the wave of witchy books that have been hitting our shelves recently, both in and outside the romance genre.
In honor of this, and to follow the bookish good I shared earlier, I’m going to boost more witchy romances today. It’s always a good time for a romance book and it’s always a good time for a witchy book. And when you combine the two of them? *chef’s kiss*
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mika Moon is a witch who is used to being on her own, largely due in part to a decree handed down from the Head Witch who was also her legal guardian. When the opportunity to tutor three young witches is offered to her, she decides to ignore the life long advice she has been given about staying away from fellow witches and take the job, never expecting that it would lead her to the found family she had always been looking for.
What The Hex by Alexis Daria
Catalina has returned to Isla Bruja for her older sister’s wedding only to discover that the groom-to-be has been possessed by a demon. Worse, everyone is under the same spell with the exception of Diego, brother of the groom and Catalina’s rival in all things. The two must put their differences aside and break the spell to avoid having the demonic power be in control of the islands most powerful witch families. And they have to do it while staying at a B&B with just one bed.
And that’s all I have for y’all this fine Monday. I’ll be back in your inboxes Thursday though and in the meantime I can be found floating around on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then, happy reading and stay hydrated!