Author: Jessica Pryde

I hope everyone is staying safe out there, or has found a situation that will put you in…as safe a place as you can be.

Let’s talk romance novels.

News and Useful Links

How much do you know about Vivian Stephens? She is an amazing woman who paved the way for a lot of people, and then, well. Racism.

Another look at cishet men reading romance.

In case you missed it over the weekend, here’s the cover of Casey McQuiston’s next romcom!

And here’s an excerpt from Emily Henry’s next book.

Did you see? Did you see?

Also, Adriana Herrera historicals coming our way!

Which led to quite the conversation about historical accuracy and the way certain types of people question it from authors of color in ways they don’t for white authors.

And there was also this amazing thread (with learning objects attached!) about anti-Blackness in romance.

We’re getting an anthology of romances about holidays that aren’t “holiday romances”.

This is a great thread on aromantic representation in media.

This is a fantastic essay by Sandra Kitt on the evolution of The Color of Love. 

And the RWA elections are in. See who’s taking RWA 2.0 forward.

Deals

As August draws to a close and we start to enter the time that, in some parts of the country, harkens the whispers of Faire, now might be the time to use Well Met to scratch that itch. And it’s 1.99 right now, so why not? The second in the series, Well Played, comes out at the end of next month, so now would be a good time to dig in to ease the FOMO (Fact Of Missing Out).

And if you’re looking for something farther removed, Destiny’s Captive by Beverly Jenkins is also 1.99 right now! It’s the third in a series and actually, all three are 1.99, but Destiny’s Captive is my favorite—lady pirates, sea journeys, sword fights! It’s tons of fun. But read all three, honestly.

Book Recs

I was feeling unwell over the weekend and had been talking about (among other things) hockey with Trisha when we recorded the most recent episode of When In Romance, so I decided to pick up a book or two that might bring back those Check, Please! feelings. Hockey is the whitest sport, and is therefore the whitest sports subgenre in romance, so I don’t read a whole lot of it, but I have found a few authors that I enjoy, who also try to bring a bit of diversity into the game.

Game Changer
Rachel Reid

I’ve been watching this series build out since the start, and I actually have all four books? I had been hesitant to start the series because of the closeted protagonist, but I figured, might as well dive in, right?

Scott Hunter is the star captain of the New York Admirals, and he hasn’t been playing very well. When he gets a delicious smoothie (made by a very attractive barista) and has the best game in ages, he decides to get it again. And again. And by some stroke of luck, he runs into Kip in a situation where they can both get what they really want. But even as they start to build a wildly intense relationship, Scott isn’t ready to come out as the first openly gay player in the NHL. And Kip isn’t sure he’s okay with being Scott’s dirty secret forever. I wasn’t completely in love with this one, but everyone swears by the rest of the series, so I figured I should get started.

CW: Closeted character; homophobic language; fighting; casual homophobia; sports injury

I wanted to keep the hockey game going, so I picked up Kelly Farmer’s Out On the Ice, which comes out later this week. And while the story was definitely interesting, I wasn’t up to do two “keep personal life private” pro hockey stories in a row, so I set that one aside for later. It’s definitely worth checking out, especially since one of the characters has serious Megan Rapinoe vibes, but I have to balance my closets, you know?

Instead, I picked up Trade Deadline, the third book in the Hat Trick series by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn.

In Trade Deadline, Daniel has changed teams from the Atlanta Venom to the Miami Thunder. After being on the same team for over a decade, it’s nice to move back to his hometown, where he runs into his childhood BFF. Who was also his first crush and first kiss. Daniel, freshly divorced and unpracticed with men, might be into trying something new with Micah. I don’t often pick up friends-to-lovers or what would technically be a second-chance romance, but this is the kind of both of those that I enjoy. They were friends as kids and sure, had crushes on each other then, but enough time has passed that they’re kind of getting to know each other again, even though they can still joke about kid stuff. I’m almost done and it’s super delightful. And if you haven’t read the series, start with Off the Ice…which has a similar plot to Game Changer, so be prepared for that story. (The second book in the series, Goalie Interference, is an enemies-to-lovers goalie romance between two men of color. Like, when does that happen?)

What are your favorite hockey romances? Bonus if they’re queer!

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

I’ve decided that TV series frustrate me. You start watching and can tell someone likes someone and you don’t think anything is going to happen and then you start Shipping Hard and then something happens and your ship is pulled apart because television. That’s why I watch 2 hour romcoms. Satisfying without the hair-pulling and the waiting.

At least romance novels, you know where they’re going to end up.

Before I get to our regularly scheduled business, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the life and untimely death of Corey Alexander, who wrote some amazing novels under the pen name Xan West. They were a strong proponent for diversity in romance of all kinds. Their blog was a place to go for the best perspective on gender and sexuality, disability, tropes, and the best of the best. On Twitter, they were the best at supporting newbies and veteran romancelandia folks. I didn’t know them much at all, but was still struck by the loss.

Over on Book Riot

With the number of fantasy romances coming out recently (and you know, always), do you know the difference between high fantasy and low fantasy?

I have been looking for ways to extend my audiobook time. What do you do when you listen?

Romcom=fantasy?

Are you sending notes and things to people? Here’s some fun stationery.

Deals

If you’re looking for a fantasy series to start up, Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau is 1.99 right now. It’s the first book in the Beast Charmer series, and is basically fantasy Pokemon. I mean, there’s much more to it than that, but that’s what the world is based on. There’s intrigue and people have deadly curses on their heads and there are assassins and questioning of gender roles. It’s dark and doesn’t stand alone, but now’s the best time to start.

New Books

So I did this thing where I actually started reading a book that came out this week, but because of its title, I find myself constantly singing the song that it’s a play on. And my name is in it, so I just bounce around going “It’s Jess!”

Who’s That Earl
Susanna Craig

Thomas Sutherland is a spy for the crown. He’d love to remain married to his country forever, but instead he lands an inheritance. A title and a crumbling Scottish keep are all his for the taking. But his predecessor had a tenant living at the castle, and he’ll have to discuss their future before being able to keep working. When he arrives in Scotland in the dead of winter, he’s surprised to find that instead of Higginbotham, the stodgy secretary to a reclusive writer he was expecting, the woman that got away is staring him in the face.

But Jane Quayle has secrets of her own. The biggest: she’s actually Robin Ratliff, the reclusive author of gothic novels that all of England is abuzz for. And having the new Lord Magnus around isn’t going to help with that.

So far, this book is fun with interesting characters and a premise I love. It gives me much Romancing the Duke vibes.

There are a few more books out this week that I hope to someday reach:

A Compendium of Ever-Increasing Mayhem by Courtney Milan (this is a collection of four previously published novellas, three of which I’ve read and can tell you are more than effing delightful, the last of which I’ve been meaning to read forever!)

Gay All Year by Richard May

The Pleasure Principle by Nicole Falls

The Jackal by JR Ward (this is a spinoff of the BDB books set in a…prison camp?)

For Her Benefit by Nana Malone (this is the third in a trilogy that doesn’t stand alone)

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover (this one got moved up because CH does that sometimes)

The Legal Affair by Nisha Sharma

Royal by Danielle Steel (which I think is romantic if not exactly romance? She’s been going kind of all over the place.)

Falling for Jun by DD Davis

Reading anything interesting this weekend?

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

You know, there are some things I might be willing to do, either for money or because somebody says it’s actually going to be fun. One of the things you couldn’t pay me to do is spend 11 days hardly sleeping and crossing various levels of water, rock, and jungle while relying on three other people to get through it as quickly as possible.

But dammit if watching other people do it isn’t fascinating (and stressful, and emotional?!) AF. Now I want all the adventure racing romances. There’s plenty of inspiration on World’s Toughest Race, if anyone needs a plot bunny or twelve.

Right, books.

News and Useful Links

Texas Rodeo author Kari Lynn Dell has passed away.

We had an awesome Bookstore Romance Day this past Saturday. I know there is an official YouTube page, and the official BRD virtual events are there. There were tons of others from bookstores all over the place, though, and a search *might* have presented the majority of them?

Dreamspinner Press has been banned from RWA’s qualifying markets list. What does this mean for readers? Dreamspinner might continue to publish, and authors may choose to continue publishing with them, but they aren’t going to be allowed to participate in RWA 2.0 events or publications, and they have essentially a black mark on their record for failing to pay several of their authors and failing to communicate with those authors in any way that falls under the word professionalism. Until they prove capable of sailing the ship without tossing folks over the side, I will continue not to recommend their books–I want to support the authors, but not if they’re not getting paid for their work.

The Ripped Bodice is hosting Historical Happy Hour on their Instagram and I’m not sure what it’s *supposed* to be but I would like to see a romance version of Drunk History.

I haven’t read One To Watch, but this is an interesting insight.

Rosie Danan’s The Roommate might not be out yet, but it’s been optioned for film and a screenwriter has already been tapped.

Thanks to Romance Sparks Joy for pulling together a bunch of stuff that happened this week, good and…less good.

Join the Harpy and Trollop Mask Squad.

And add the Virtual Romance Events Calendar to your own. It’s pretty magnificent.

Deals

I don’t know who wants to read a story set in the near future in which the power has gone out and society as the characters know it is potentially crumbling, but if you feel like that might be cathartic, Radio Silence is 1.99! I have definitely recommended this Alyssa Cole book and series before, but it’s been long enough that the entire situation of the country has changed, so why not? This is the first in a series of three increasingly involved books about regular folks during the Apocalypse. So, enjoy, I guess?

Recs!

I’ve nicknamed this time “pull it off my shelves” week. I’ve set about finishing at least two books that have been hanging out on my shelves, with some inspiration from other sources.

Indigo
Beverly Jenkins

I’ve had this book for…a while. After the third or fourth time Trisha mentioned it on When In Romance, I ordered a copy. (Sadly, I did not manage to acquire the mass market with this gorgeous cover, though I hope to someday.) I’d initially intended to read it upon arrival, and then I was going to read it for a local book club that got washed out thanks to the pandemic, and now I’m reading it for a book club that I accidentally joined and that is reading their first romance in part thanks to my joining. Since that book club is meeting (virtually) on Saturday, I figured I should probably read it. This is one of Ms. Bev’s books that can essentially stand alone, though I think there might be characters that show up in other books? I dunno. Either way, it does not read as part of a series, and is a particularly interesting setup for a romance novel.

Hester manages a stop on the Road, where enslaved people seeking their way to permanent freedom can stop, rest, and be hidden from fugitive hunters. When she’s asked to harbor a famed conductor codenamed Black Daniel after he’s been injured, she doesn’t hesitate. But the two don’t get on very well. They’re both passionate about their work, and the other is keeping them from doing it in some way…but that passion is what brings them together.

This is a Civil War book, so read with care. CWs include racial violence, discussion of attempted sexual assault, period-familiar sexism, and slavery-related horrors.

Misfits
Garrett Leigh

I picked this one up during a Friends of the Library Book Sale back when we had those, and have been looking for a reason to read it. So when you ask a group of authors what their favorite book series is, and Roan Parrish says this one? Well, you grab the book and see what it’s all about.

Misfits features a couple in an open relationship who find themselves with an interested third. There are emotions and people pushing their partners at other people thinking the other person might be better for them and a lot of feelings. I’ve never read Garrett Leigh before, even though Misfits isn’t the only book of hers that I own.

One thing I did finish was Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau, which is a new adult romance and coming-of-age graphic novel in the loveliest blues. There’s baking, there’s longing, and there’s confusion about the future. (There’s also some grief for loss of a grandparent and later loss of property.)

What are you pulling off the shelf this week?

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

Almost halfway. We’re almost through the month. Beyond all the romance novels released, at least we got one hopeful highlight. But we’ve still got a few months before we can really say anything. So, yeah. Let’s go wallow in some new books.

Over on Book Riot

Trisha and I talked about some bad behavior and some really good books.

There are very few books that I want to listen to at the speed at which they were produced. I think they do it on purpose. A lot of Regency romances are particularly grievous at a need for speeding up, but there are some narrators like Michael Lesley who, among other things, made me fall in love with How to Be a Movie Star and whose books are almost perfect at 1 or 1.25. Which speed do you prefer?

If your favorite romantic reunion is between Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth (or maybe some other Brits, I dunno), you’ll want to dream of visiting Bath someday. You know. When going places is a thing we can do again.

I only like throw pillows if they’re soft and fuzzy (and devoid of words or pictures), but you might want to improve your reading space with some of these.

What makes a beach read?

And you’ve still got time to enter for free money to an indie bookstore. Or a whole year of Kindle Unlimited.

Deals

If you’ve already finished A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby, did you know Vanessa Riley has some other multicultural historicals for you to try? Start with The Bittersweet Bride, which is currently 3.99. And then you can check out the other three books, which are related but stand alone pretty well. She’s also published some serial stories on Amazon that I’m less familiar with, but hey, if that’s your thing, you definitely want to check it out.

New Books!

Touch Me First
Phoenix Ash

I haven’t finished any more new books since You Had Me At Hola, but the next one I sit down with is definitely going to be this one. I remember seeing a retweet of the cover on Twitter before there were any buy links, and I slammed the one-click button immediately upon seeing it shared as live. (I’m not even sure I knew what it was about when I saw the cover; I knew I wanted it.) This story features a budding online relationship between two people who are sort of killing it at life, and I look forward to watching them work.

And then there’s this lovely pile of books that fell this week:

No Offense by Meg Cabot (Librarian protags are always exciting!)

Eighty Days to Elsewhere by KC Dyer

The Hitman by Katrina Jackson

Cry of Metal and Bone by L. Penelope (the third book is finally here and I can now read the whole series…oh wait, no there’s a fourth one coming. Nevermind. But they’re so pretty. Someday, my precious *pets covers*)

Trust Fund Fiancé  by Naima Simone

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

Barista and the Bear AND She’s a Luna by Rebel Carter (she wanted to drop two books in a week and she did that)

Hopeless Romantic by Georgia Beers

In Name Only by Sean D. Young (I missed this last time around)

A Reckless Note by Lisa Renee Jones

Moon Fever by Ileandra Young

Gifting Me to His Best Friend by Katee Robert

The Sweet Spot by Tay Mo’Nae

The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin (another re-release but THAT COVER)

Reading anything interesting this weekend? Oh! And don’t forget to check out Bookstore Romance Day on Saturday, including a panel moderated by yours truly at 1pm EDT.

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

It’s Monday again, and we’ve got stuff to talk about. Also, between “WAP” and my regular Sunday night viewing of P-Valley, I am definitely jonesing for some romance featuring Black ladies with moves. Maybe I’ll just read Treasure again. 

News and Useful Links

Jasmine Guillory dropped some special news during an appearance on The Today Show: Reese Witherspoon has optioned her first three books! 

Did you know that CL Polk’s three Witchmark books side by side make the bi pride flag? 

You’ve still got a few days to explore the Summer of Black Love Virtual Book Fair!

The good folks at Thirst Aid Kit did a whole episode about romance!

NPR did a full-length review of You Had Me At Hola. When does that happen? 

And Olivia Waite’s first romance review column in The New York Times is live!

So much happening virtually this week:

• Chat with Katrina Jackson about A Princess in Theory
• Spotlight on Contemporary Romance with Belmont Books
• Bookstore Romance Day at Gathering Volumes
• Romance Awareness Month celebration with Milwaukee Public Library 
• Cocktails and Covers
• Bookstore Romance Day at Love’s Sweet Arrow 

If you want to see the full schedule of official events on Saturday, check out the Bookstore Romance Day website. There are lots of other events, though, so see what your local indie might be doing. Or your favorite one across the country. 

And I’m moderating one of the Harlequin Bookstore Romance Day discussions! I’ll be chatting with Reese Ryan, Synithia Williams, and Roan Parrish. 

Deals

Do you love stories about there being…only! one! bed!? Well you might want to make sure to grab Only One Bed: A Steamy Romance Anthology, featuring stories by Lucy Eden, Rebel Carter, Renee Dahlia, and more! There are countless situations that could lead to two or more people suddenly having to share a bed, and I am always down to see what’s on offer this time around. So get several stories for just 3.99 (or read it free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription).

Recs

When I was in high school, I latched onto what many at the time would have called “women’s fantasy”. Jennifer Roberson, Melaine Rawn, Mercedes Lackey—series fantasy that often had a romantic element to it on top of strong female characters at their center. Then, I went a long time without reading much fantasy—I don’t like sword and sorcery very much, and folks like Robert Jordan and GRRM didn’t hold any appeal to me. And I was reading more urban fantasy and paranormal romance for a while. I’ve only recently begun to explore the new crop of fantasy romance, and I think I might be venturing back into high fantasy again, worldbuilding and all!

A Heart of Blood and Ashes
Milla Vane

When I first learned of this book, I hesitated to pick it up. It was…a chonker. And then I read the first several pages and was plopped right down into a battle scene in which the enemy civilization were referred to as savages. It was probably late May and I just…could not. But a couple of weeks ago I needed a new book to listen to in the car and came across this one, ready and available. I thought, well, I’ve been trying to listen to audiobooks that I wouldn’t always pick up in print. So this is perfect.

Maddek is a warrior who must now be a king. His parents have been murdered, but he is not allowed to take his vengeance upon those who are responsible. When he learns the murderer has a hidden daughter, his plan is to kill her instead. But Yvenne has just as much grievance against her father and brothers, and they forge an agreement: marriage. And as they travel towards a safe location, their antagonism shifts into something else. 

CW: battle violence; dubious consent regarding non-penetrative sexual activity; murder by stabbing; revenants; discussion of pregnancy; discussion of rape—not of or by either protagonist

(Note: I haven’t yet finished this book, so there might be some CWs I haven’t yet reached. There is a full list on the author’s website.)  

I’ve talked about some other fantasy romances in the past, like Lord of the Last Heartbeat by May Peterson and Dithered Hearts by Chace Verity. And I’ve got a bunch of others on my list to read.

And then there’s the fact that I’m not sure I’ve read a fantasy romance by an author of color that isn’t Earth-based. If you know of one that qualifies as high fantasy, I’d love to know about it. And throw any urban fantasy by authors of color my way, too, as long as there’s a romance involved.

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

Do you like silence? I can hardly stand it. Which is why you often get my contemplations on movies and the like at the start of Kissing Books, because I’ve usually put on an old (or new) favorite to keep me company while I write. This time around it’s the Newsies stage musical. If you’ve only seen the movie with Christian Bale (quality film, don’t @ me), this is very different. And Jack and Katherine’s duet, “Something to Believe In,” is one of my favorite songs by Alan Menken ever. And if you know how much I love Disney, you know that’s a thing to say. (And if you don’t know how much I love Disney, might I recommend trying out BR Insiders to find a special treat featuring me and my love for the House of Mouse.)

Right, this is supposed to be about romance. Let’s talk romance, then!

Over on Book Riot

If you’ve been to any virtual romance event where Alyssa Cole happened to be speaking, you’ve probably heard her talk about Crash Landing On You. Here are some books to read after you’ve watched it.

Speaking of Alyssa Cole, enter a giveaway for an audio copy of her upcoming book, When No One Is Watching. It’s definitely more of a thriller, but does have romantic elements.

How about some plus-size romances (adult and YA).

Win $50 to the independent bookstore of your choice. (And if your local indie doesn’t sell romance, there’s always The Ripped Bodice and Love’s Sweet Arrow!)

Or, a year’s subscription to Kindle Unlimited.

Deals

Looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy of wills? Try Phyllis Bourne’s Feud for 3.99. A woman inherits a house and discovers the sexy neighbor next door is the most recent inheritor of a generational family feud. And there’s something about running him out of the neighborhood in order to get an even bigger inheritance? So yeah, you can guess what’s going to happen there! And then, once you’ve made it through that one, try Jinx, in which one poor woman is pretty certain she’s cursed, but the man who can’t get enough of her is pretty certain curses don’t exist.

New Books

Well, it’s a new week, and once again, more books have dared to come out. And we love them for it, of course!

You Had Me At Hola
Alexis Daria

Did somebody say telenovela? In the style of Jane the Virgin and Queen of the South, there’s going to be a new English version of a famous telenovela on the biggest streaming site soon. And after lead actress Jasmine and her new, much more experienced co-star, the ridiculously handsome Ashton, have a bumpy encounter before their first table read, their relationship only exists while the cameras are rolling. But that becomes a problem when their on-screen chemistry needs a…push? Shall we say?

I started reading this yesterday and almost forgot to go to work! (This is why I usually don’t read in the morning but I was up way too early and figured why the heck not.) The characters are compelling, their family dynamics are super interesting, and the anticipation is killing me. I will probably have finished it by the time you read this 😉

There are also some other super-mentionable books out this week:

Sweetest in the Gale by Olivia Dade
The Enforcer Enigma by GL Carriger (The newest in her m/m contemporary paranormal series)
Marriage by Arrangement by Sophia Singh Sasson
The Immortal City by May Peterson
The Secret of You and Me by Melissa Lenhardt (I haven’t actually confirmed that this has an HEA, so approach with caution)
Only One Bed: A Steamy Romance Anthology 
Always Only You by Chloe Riese
In Deep by Blue Sapphire
Charming Scottish Bastard by Melissa Blue
The Cowboy Says I Do by Dylann Crush
Sin City Seduction by Zuri Day
The Dalmation Dilemma by Cheryl Harper (The only thing on this cover is a dog, so)

Reading anything new this weekend?

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

Hey guess what. As of today, August 3rd, there are only 150 days left in this disgrace of a year. So that’s something to look forward to. What else do we look forward to? Romance novels, of course. I mean, they just keep coming and coming, and we try to keep up. And we just continue to accept it, because we can’t help ourselves.

Let’s talk books!

News and Useful Links

Hey look! It’s the Ripped Bodice Awards, back around again! (I’m not judging this year but I’m excited to see the results. This year’s judging panel is spectacular!)

Folklore + romance novels.

So enamored with Boyfriend Material that you want to stare at a few lines while you write? Have I got the pencils for you!

Check out this upcoming “Guys Who Read Romance” panel.

If you missed the Love’s Sweet Arrow event with Kit Rocha and Beverly Jenkins, you can watch it on YouTube now.

Rebekah Weatherspoon shared some photos and thoughts on Mass Market MAX, the new size that Kensington and a couple other publishers will be utilizing in the future.

A reminder about Alexis Daria’s virtual book launch with East City Bookshop on Tuesday.

Deals

If you’re down to read a book about a bunch of people living in the same house who get on each others’ nerves, The Chai Factor by Farah Heron is 1.99 right now! It’s not actually that bad; Amira goes home to get better work done on her graduate paper, but her grandmother has rented out her basement apartment to a whole ass barbershop quartet. She and Duncan, a member of said quartet, clash from the beginning, but there’s plenty of sexual tension. And singing. And a side of fake dating (someone else) to prevent some homophobic encounters with relatives. But overall, tons of fun.

Recs!

Hey guess what?! I finished reading a whole book. And it made me think of other books I enjoyed that have a related premise, and others still that I want to check out. That’s pretty common, I guess. But it was nice to land upon this past weekend.

Things Hoped For
Chencia C. Higgins

I know I just talked about this book last week but now I can for certain say this is a book you want to read. If you’re reading at your normal pace, you’ll make it through in a few hours. If you’ve slowed down as much as I have, you might be picking at it for several days. Either way, the story of Tasha and Xeno will warm your heart and mess you up a little.

Tasha has moved to Houston in order to start over. Her small town in Arkansas might have her friends and her family home, but it didn’t allow her to search for love and experience life in the way she wished—and the words of a psychic gave her just the right nudge. When she sees rapper Xeno in concert, she’s immediately enthralled by the music and the musician. A chance meeting sends the pair sprawling towards big love, but something is holding Tasha back from accepting it as the real thing.

There are lots of different kinds of famous flings, whether they’re with royalty, movie stars, or famous musicians. I love them all, but I think musicians are my favorite. We usually get to see some element of them working on their craft, whether they’re making an album, on tour, or finding themselves again. Here are some I’ve enjoyed historically:

Kristen Callihan’s VIP series (starting with Idol)

I can’t pick the one I love most in this series. There are so many broken and brokenhearted people pulling themselves back together for love, and you just gotta read them all.

Anna Zabo’s Twisted Wishes series (starting with Syncopation)

These all have different appeal, and include people with multiple sexual and gender identities. And they’re just so effing good. Well written, enrapturing, and super heartfelt.

Rend by Roan Parrish

This is the second in the Riven series, but it is definitely my favorite. It was my first marriage-in-trouble romance, and it’s just so good.

Feels Like Summer by Six de los Reyes

This starts at a summer music festival, and it has an almost-fake relationship setup: Jett is asked by one of Adrian’s bandmates to be his five minute girlfriend. But they like each other more than that and start spending more time together. Jett thinks it’s still going to be limited, but, you know how it is…

How to Reprimand Your Rock Star by Mina Vaughn

This one is fun because it is both a rock star romance and a sports romance. The female protagonist is a college basketball player who randomly meets a famous rockstar. He likes being tied up, and she learns to do it well. There’s some kind of oracle involved. It’s just tons of fun with a little light dommeing.

And the next one I hope to pick up is Rapper’s Delight by Kenya Goree-Bell, just for the cover. I mean, the description is great, too. But you gotta see the cover.

What about you? What’s your famous fling story of choice?

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

It’s the last Kissing Books of July, and I hope the rest of the year goes in a nice waterslide-speed downfall. Black Lives still matter, COVID-19 is still real, and billionaires are still ridiculous.

Romance novels are great, though! So let’s talk about them.

Over on Book Riot

Look, I know very little about Enneagram. People have been asking me my number for years, and just from these brief descriptions of romance novels by Enneagram number, I’m guessing I’m a two. And of course, I want to read all about it.

Trisha and I did something a little different this week.

How much do you know about ebook production and monetization? Cause it’s fascinating.

There are apparently different ways to organize your books by color.

Not all of these are romance, but they’re all good stories about pansexual characters.

Do you follow booktubers?

Deals

Word is a few of Beverly Jenkins’ books are marked down on Amazon, including Jewel, which I haven’t recommended before. This one is a friends to fake married to real married story, in which a man who has turned his life around since his appearance in Vivid must be married in order to complete a business venture…and he asks his friend Jewel to pretend just for a night. But then, things happen, and they have to continue the marriage, and you know. Stuff happens. Y’all know how I feel about Beverly Jenkins, fake relationships, and married people who have to fix their marriage (in this case because they hadn’t intended to get married), so this is one I’ll be picking up real soon.

New Books

I’d intended to read at least one of the new releases this week, because there are so many great ones. But in true 2020-Jess fashion, that didn’t happen. But I’m in line to pick up one tonight, and it might be Deal with the Devil, just because I haven’t picked up a spec-fic romance in a long time.

Things Hoped For
Chencia C. Higgins

Look. I went to preorder this book like six times, only to be reminded by Amazon that I had already ordered it so chill out, okay?

This is the fourth book in a series, but like most romance series, you can read this one and then fill in any weird relationship gaps by going back to the beginning later. Here, Trisha relocates to Houston on a whim, only to have a chance encounter with Xenobia, a musician who is getting more and more popular by the minute. Neither has really thought they could have a true relationship, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for them, as long as life doesn’t get in the way. I’m excited for this one for multiple reasons: y’all know how much I love music romances, and anything that has a social media element? Definitely. Also, this is the first romance I will have picked up with a stud protagonist. And it’s soft. I love soft. So yeah, saving this for after the near-future crumbling America story that is Kit Rocha’s new book.

And then we’ve got this treasure trove of other books out this week:

Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh (Eva has been celebrating its release by posting Theo James GIFs so…)
The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi
The Way You Tempt Me by Elle Wright
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite (Look, this cover has some weird photoshop stuff happening but I am excited for the bees)
Marry Me Twice by Monica Walters
Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters (More Carina Adores, yay!)
Lotus Flower Bomb by Kenya Goree-Bell
King of Durabia by Naleighna Kai (I have no idea what these books are like but I am hella intrigued)

What are you reading? (Or hoping to eventually read if you could just pick the damn thing up?)

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

Baseball’s back, which means I have a nice bit of white noise to read and write to in the evenings once again. It *is* weird to occasionally look up and see people in the stands only to remember they’re cutouts lol.

Romance. Right.

News and Useful Links

Look, I haven’t listened to Gaslighter yet (don’t at me) but this is a great “Gaslighter, but romance novels” list even without the context.

Check out this archives of romance-related websites from the University of Michigan.

Did you read about the guys who have an actual Bromance Book Club? COVID-19 won’t keep them from talking about sex and their feelings.

Hallmark is going to be adding LGBTQ+ stories to their holiday lineup this year. Here’s hoping they include someone who isn’t white. Just one. With a name. And a character arc. Who isn’t a villain or mean-person. These aren’t difficult demands. (And if you heard the news about their next CEO, you might be hoping alongside me)

Check out the transcript of Alyssa Cole’s keynote speech from the Spring Fling Writers’ Conference 2020. As usual, she does good words.

My fellow Rioter Carole wrote this great piece for The Grio about reading Black joy in these times.

What are your thoughts on a romance “canon”?

Virtual events coming up:

• Books & Booze from Love’s Sweet Arrow with Angelina M. Lopez and Melonie Johnson
• Meryl Wilsner with Really Reading Romance Book Club at East City Books
• Alexis Daria with Really Reading Romance Book Club at East City Books (and The 4 Chicas!)
• A whole Black romance book fair!
• Romance Awareness Month Celebration with Milwaukee Public Library

Deals

In honor of John Lewis, a man who spent over sixty years of his life fighting for tiers of justice, some of which we’re still battling for today, how about a romance set around the Civil Rights Era? And no, it’s not the one you think I’m going to recommend (though I’ll remind you that Let It Shine is always 2.99). Promise Me A Dream by Wayne Jordan is part of the Decades series, which tells a story of Black love for each of the decades of the 20th century. In the one set during the 1960s, A singer from Barbados who dreams of Broadway meets a lawyer with his own dreams, and they deal with the world of discrimination and inequality together. Read it for 2.99 or get it on Kindle Unlimited.

Recs!

Have you been reading a lot during this period? I have still been able to read, but it feels like I’m not staying with anything. Which is why I was excited to just slam through a book this weekend…until I felt suddenly inclined to make cupcakes. No clue why. Just got up and started pulling things out of the cabinet. So I haven’t finished it yet, but it will soon!

So Forward
Mina V. Esguerra

While this definitely isn’t the first Esguerra book I’ve bought, it’s the first I’ve actually opened, started, and intended to continue. The author is a member of Romance Class, a group of Filipino and Fil-Am authors who write romances at varying levels of angst and heat across a large spectrum of subgenres—though they mostly write contemporary. So Forward is the third book in the Six 32 Central series, and brings us into the lives of a figure skater turned model turned business student and the hockey player turned business professor turned corporate businessperson who helps him figure out the finer points of his final MBA paper and defense. The two have a shaky first meeting, but find that there’s just something about the other that draws them to each other. And then there’s this job that’s offered the both of them, bringing them back to the rink.

This is a delightful book, and is definitely light on the angst (so far). The characters have strong points of view, and they communicate with each other. You all know I love grown-ups communicating. At least with each other. Neither is very good at communicating with their families, but you know. Family. Also! This book offers up one of those rare sightings in M/F romance: a bisexual male protagonist. So check it out.

And apparently, I need to watch The Cutting Edge 3. I didn’t even know there was a Cutting Edge 3. And it looks like there’s also a fourth one. Who knew?

And now it’s time to read some more ice-based romance. What are your favorites?

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!

Since we’re apparently on a superhero intro kick this week, I can tell you I don’t have nearly as much fun playing with obscure ships in the DC film world. Bale’s Batman can only truly be shipped with his pain. Dadfleck…well, I did have a theory in BvS that he and Alfred were partners. But that might have been mostly Jeremy Irons’ fault for playing him so…familiar. Also I only saw it the once.

Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t mind that in book form.

Anyway. Romance novels.

Over On Book Riot

Having trouble reading? Sil pulled together a bunch of shorter romance novels you can probably devour in a sitting or two (or read them a few pages at a time, whatever works for you).

Book cakes!

Also, since we’re all going to be wearing them forever, how about a nice, bookish mask?

Did you know you could gift someone a subscription to TBR? It could come in handy.

If your book club reads *romantic* books but maybe not romance, here is a handy supplement for reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

This is a great piece about black joy for all ages and types, including a couple of romance titles.

Do you find yourself looking for an app that will read to you?

You’ve still got time to win a Barnes and Noble gift card!

Deals

You know how everybody talks about Kennedy Ryan all the time? Have you read any of her books yet? If you haven’t, I would start with Queen Move, which everyone and their mother has been talking about since even before it released. It’s been touted as a fated mates story, without the supernatural element. And it’s 4.99, so you might as well check it out. But if there’s one thing I can recommend when you’re reading a Kennedy Ryan book, it’s to have something fun lined up after it.

Might I recommend Alyssa Cole’s The AI Who Loved Me? It’s still a little heavier than I expected, but also tons of fun. And it’s available on ebook for 2.99 (or as an audible original featuring narrators Regina Hall, Mindy Kaling and more).

New Books

There are a lot of new books out this week, and while I have a few advanced copies, I have yet to read a one. It looks like a nice crop of books, but I’m still recovering from last week :lolsob:

Seasoned by Delaney Diamond

This summer story follows three different women at different stages of their own romantic stories. One is a woman with multiple divorces under his belt who starts a thing with a hot neighbor. One is thrown into a situation with her ex-husband and remembers the good times. The last has to consider her options when an old lover reappears. Delaney Diamond is a mainstay in romance and lots of people love her stories, especially of romance featuring older women and love interests.

There are tons of other books out this week, too:

A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane
The Single Mom’s Second Chance by Kathy Douglass (in the vein of its Harlequin siblings, this one is out now in paperback but won’t be available in Kindle until August 1)
Liquor & Laundry by Tasha L. Harrison
Tack & Jibe by Lilah Suzanne
The Jezebel by Dylan Allen
Silver Angel by Susan Warren (as in, like, silver foxy angel)
Misadventures with a Sexpert by Elizabeth Hayley
How to Date a Younger Man by Kendall Ryan
Summer Love by Cassandra B
Beauty and the Bassist by Megan Walker and Janci Patterson

What are you reading this weekend?

As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!