“How can Emily Henry keep outdoing herself like this? Book Lovers is not only an homage to all book lovers, but presents an unconventional, fresh, and self-aware addition to the classic romance canon. Nora and Charlie’s on-the-page chemistry is so intense I thought my book would catch fire, yet at the same time their slow-burn path to love was a quiet and powerful build.

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At the end, they not only fell in love with each other, but I fell in love with both of them as well. This is the validating story for non-compromising, slightly grumpy, possibly jaded, likely has a cat, people who still deserve an HEA no matter what we’re told otherwise.”

“What do you get when you cross a disillusioned romance author with a Hemingway wannabe? A compulsively readable book where you kind of hope for your train to be delayed so you can spend a few more minutes with January and Gus.

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These two, saddled with writer’s block, make a pact to write the other’s genre. Literary snobbery is (rightfully) called out, and the two begin to navigate a friendship outside of writing as they explore the other’s process. Reader, I loved it.”

“As an avid listener of audiobooks, this was an amazing read. Sewanee, a well-known audiobook narrator is being pushed back into romance against her will. After her accident years before, she became a popular romance audiobook narrator under a pseudonym, a name she has since retired, and now narrates non-fiction under her real name.

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But the romance author she originally narrated for has one last project for her, and not just her – also for the most popular male romance narrator, Brock McNight. I love her journey of not only finding and accepting love for another person, but also learning to love this version of herself, the person she is right now. It also points out a lot of stigma in the romance genre that keeps people from reading what they love. There’s nothing wrong with getting a Happily Ever After! Read romance! And read (or listen) to this book.”

“Florence Day is a ghost writer for a famous romance author. However, after her boyfriend betrays and breaks up with her, Florence finds it difficult to write a happily ever after ending. When a family tragedy forces her to return home she must face her biggest secret, she can see and interact with ghosts.

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To her amazement a very familiar ghost has followed her home. With his help, she might be able to heal both her heart and her spirit. The Dead Romantics is a quirky fun read that will have you come back again and again. If you are looking for a quirky romance that you will absolutely fall in love with, The Dead Romantics is your next perfect read!”

“I’ve LOLed many times while listening to this enemies-to-lovers romance about books. I almost predicted the twist but was thrown off by a character I never suspected. This book would be great for readers who would prefer a non-steamy read.

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I felt for Savannah as I learned more about her family’s dynamic and how she has tried to navigate it. There were moments that I have rolled my eyes at because of course the character doesn’t know she’s living in a romance novel. Overall, this was a fun read/listen.”

“Ali Hazelwood’s debut is a HIT! This book has it all. On the serious side, we’ve got valuable conversations of asexuality and a focus on women in STEM and the realities of the academic world. On the tropey side, we’ve got fake dating, a bit of the grump/sunshine dynamic, and a hilarious play on ”there was only one bed”!

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This book has so many laugh out loud moments, often courtesy of Olive’s best friend Ahn, that I cannot stop thinking about. There’s really something for everyone in this story, and it’s one I couldn’t put down! If you are a fan of contemporary romances, or are just starting out in the genre, this is an absolute must-read!!!”

“It’s a hilarious rom-com with miscommunication and a subtle mystery! While I was yelling at Bee for not seeing what we all know is love, Ms. Hazelwood ran a fun, subtle whodunnit throughout the story with an ending I didn’t see coming!

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The spice was just the right level of heat among the humor. All the characters felt like friends I could hang out with so while this was my first Hazelwood book, it’s absolutely not my last, I immediately downloaded all the other ones I could.”

“I can almost guarantee when I press play on an Emily Henry title, I’m going to love it and I’m going to be doing a lot of introspection. Listening to People We Meet on Vacation was not an exception. I love the dual timelines that both unravel the past and build the pieces back together in the present–I will eat it up every time.

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I found Poppy to be deeply flawed but I enjoyed seeing her journey of unpacking the things that sewed the seeds of her insecurities and I loved Alex’s cool, calm steadfastness. This might be one of my favorite Emily Henry titles.”

“If Emily Henry has thousands of fans, then I am one of them. If Emily Henry has just one fan, then I am that one. If Emily Henry has no fans, I am dead. Daphne and Miles are – to me – the comfortable reliability of your dinnertime game show of choice, and the warmest quilt of eccentricities used to get cozy, respectively.

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Daphne is a funny, punctual children’s librarian, and the product of an unreliable father and a kick-ass single mom. Miles (big Klaus from Umbrella Academy vibes) is an attentive, ADHD-coded, farmer’s market regular whose family issues would take a while to unpack. Much like what I loved about Happy Place, the weight placed on friendships in this book is so lovely and real. The romance is not neglected though and Daphne and Miles kiss in a way that made me look into the camera. Gorgeous intimacy, and a beautiful friendship to lovers pipeline.”

“The concept for this story was a little worrying I won’t lie, but the execution was fantastic! With room to become a weird dystopian creepy DNA thing, this was the perfect steamy and sweet story. I appreciate the single mom main character being a fully realized person and not just a collection of stereotypes.

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River is very reminiscent of my favorite romance leading man, Josh of The Hating Game, in that his hostile outward appearance ends up being a result of his shyness. He is his own person though, and his one-track mind is a characteristic I recognize all too well. Loved the plot as well, as a romance reader it was absolutely unique and fresh. Adored it!”

“Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a heartwarming romance that shines a light in dark times. Talia Hibbert normalizes quirks, coping mechanisms, and other human conditions that can get glossed over in a happily ever after.

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She makes it clear that verbalizing needs, sharing them with a loved one, and having them accepted is the true meaning of love. The depth of the characters and their struggles to come together are wonderfully balanced with charm, humor, and a large dollop of sarcasm. Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a delight.”

“I am so here for this book! Chloe Brown is now one of my favorite heroines in a romance. It was incredibly refreshing to have a main character with a chronic illness. I have a chronic illness that is invisible as well and felt truly represented by this book.

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The love story and love interest Red was super swoon-worthy. These are complex characters and I loved Chloe’s sisters – I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Also – the audiobook for this is AMAZING! The narrator Adjoa Andoh is officially one of my favorite narrators now.”

“This book was such a comfort read – it felt like a warm hug and a chocolate chip cookie wrapped up into one story! I loved the characters, and I actually laughed out loud at certain points. It follows the life of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the charismatic and handsome son of the United States’ president, Ellen Claremont.

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Alex is just enjoying himself and living life as the First Son when he suddenly finds himself in an international scandal with the Prince of England, Henry of Wales, after a fateful wedding across the pond. What ensues is an adorable rivalry, friendship, and ultimate romance that will make anyone’s heart full. My favorite part about this book is that it didn’t concern itself with how the world currently is but, rather, how it should be.”

“Chubby femme bisexual from Louisiana meets effortlessly cool butch Chinese American, except the latter is from the 1970s and is stuck on the subway. Both August and Jane have bounced around the country looking for a home (and an identity), only to meet in New York in what should have been impossible circumstances.

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August had an unconventional childhood surrounded by a never ending investigation into a missing relative, and Jane survived the violence against queer people as a revolutionary in the gay liberation movement. Of course they fall in love. With a very diverse cast of characters and a race to save a neighborhood landmark, One Last Stop explores community and queer magic in more ways than one.”

“Alexis Hall is a genius when it comes to nuanced characters and romantic comedy. This story, combined with the remarkable narration by actor Joe Jameson, is pitch perfect and near hysterically funny. It’s hard to stop listening to this one.

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The accents are perfect, the characters hilarious, infuriating and broken in the best ways. There are sad moments, there’s heartbreak, laughter and the most amazing group of friends that I’ve ever seen on paper. No superfluous characters here… everyone is a piece of the puzzle. Wonderful queer romantic comedy with British flair.”

“I’m inclined to say that this is one of the greatest holiday rom-coms I have ever read. Inspired by the beloved film While You Were Sleeping, Kiss Her Once For Me is a sapphic love story following a down-on-her-luck artist who fakes an engagement with a hotshot landlord, only to discover that his sister was the woman that stole her heart last Christmas.

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There is an emotional depth to the entire cast of characters though the highlight of the story (aside from the fantastic and all-around queer representation) is the development of our leading lady Ellie. By the time I reached the final chapter I was in awe of the growth she went through compared to how she was first introduced in chapter one. Needless to say, Ellie deserved her happily ever after. I will most definitely be rereading this for future holidays.”

“This rom-com was fun and entertaining with a great premise that I never thought I’d actually enjoy. I’m not one for reality TV, but Cochrun painted a great picture and setting that was realistic and easy to follow without the need to know much about reality TV. I appreciated the depth of all the characters and the discussions revolving around mental health and accurate depictions of OCD, anxiety, and depression.”

“Oh Emily Henry. With each new book, you give me a new favorite. Yes, this is a romance, but more importantly, it is a friendship story. It was such a meaningful look at long time friends and how those relationships can both change and be evergreen and how that is normal but how we respond to it is the important part.

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This is a perfect summer read with much of it set during a friend group’s annual summer Maine trip. It is also about how we can create these misconceptions around how our friends AND family see us and what we think they want from us and how THAT can inform what life decisions we make and how we communicate with those we love. The icing on this perfectly sweet and spicy cake was Julia Whelan’s audiobook narration.”

“Emily Henry has mastered the art of building tension, and stretching it like taffy. Knowing someone is into you and you are into them is often just an acknowledgement before the main event, and luxuriating in the sensation is truly a treat.

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This whole book is dessert. The creeping sense of doom when I thought for a second we were entering manic pixie dream girl territory (a moment of weakness, and I never should have doubted the Queen!) was thankfully just a moment, And then of course the story at the center of this book is Margaret’s, which is really woven in well and never feels like an interruption to the romance. Also, Julia Whelan crushed it on the audiobook, my god.”

“Buckle up and batten down the hatches – Abby’s newest is coming, like a hailstorm through a glass house. You’ll want to bolt things down before your soul is fully unseated. The highs, the lows, the drop – I saw none of it coming.

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The chaos is beautiful, heartfelt, and so authentic that you will bask in its magic – the realness of it all. Listening to Abby is like lifting your face to the sun after a long winter. The rays will hit each crack and crevice of your person in ways you never dreamed possible. The hype for Abby is wholly warranted. She deserves every inch of praise. Just for the Summer is the Spring read you will be thinking of for a long, long time to come.”

“I don’t tend to be one for medical dramas, but Abby Jimenez just showed me that if it’s well written, a rival doctors-to-lovers romance can end up being one of my favorite books of the year! Abby never disappoints, but Yours Truly is my favorite book of hers to date.

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I was completely enamored with her characters, and her depiction of social anxiety shown through the character, Dr. Jacob Maddox, was realistic, sensitive and humanizing. I loved the alternating POVs read by two different narrators. This is the perfect road trip listen!”

“Only Katherine Center could write an absolutely hilarious and joyful story packed with deeply emotional scenes that absolutely wreck you and then bring you back to a hopeful place filled with love, all while intertwining a dreamy, everyday love story.

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This is her best work! In the vein of Emma’s dad, you need a little bit of sadness to make the happiness shine. The dialog, the characters, and the relationship are what make this book special. I listened to this book on Libro.fm – the bonus chapter for the audiobook WAS EVERYTHING. And the author’s note gives new meaning and life to romance and why they are critical to read and enjoy. I would definitely save this book from a fire!”

“I don’t have enough superlatives to do this book justice. Everything is spot on, from the chemistry between the main characters to the telenovela drama to the meddling but supportive cousins. I love all the Spanish, the backstage glimpses into the making of a TV show (especially the inclusion of the intimacy coordinator), and the way the telenovela tropes, like a secret child, are woven into the grounded romance.

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Now I just hope Michelle and Ava get their own books soon!”

“David Nicholls (author of One Day) has written a humorous, heartwarming story of being lost, being found, and taking chances, all while walking across England, in typically English weather. Michael and Marnie, both lonely after relationship break-ups, are unknowingly thrown together on a ten-day trekking tour and find unexpected companionship along the way.

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This novel offers a perfect dose of hope and encouragement, one that is earned through living, and thus that much more satisfying.”

“The premise of this was not like anything else I have read, so that immediately drew me in. I didn’t mind that it was mostly written in diary/email messages either, in fact, I kind of loved it. We knew these characters were hiding things, and we thought we knew what they were, but in truth, we knew nothing and that is what got me.

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The twist at the end left me saying, wait.. what? and rethinking everything I just read and trying to fit it all back together in my brain.”

“This book feels like snuggling up in a blanket on a cold day with a cup of tea. It gave me all the good, warm feelings. Clementine’s life was in perfect order until she inherited her late aunt’s apartment.

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One day she walks into the apartment to a man standing in the kitchen, and it turns out the apartment has the ability to take someone to seven years in the past. This book was funny, magical, and charming with a side of the emotional damage. Magical realism is definitely Ashley Poston’s forte, and she is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.”

“This book absolutely delighted and surprised me. I picked it up in a reading slump, having seen it recommended as a mystery/thrilleresque new novel. While it certainly fits in that category, Sutanto has melded together an entire genre of her own with this one…

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a telenovela/soap opera/mystery/thriller/romantic comedy/farce hybrid that has you eye-rolling, guffawing, snorting, and gasping along with Meddy and her Aunties and their HIJINKS!! This book is stupid good. It’s so silly that part of you is questioning it the whole time and yet you are so on board, you cannot stop reading. Not only is the plot crazy and compulsively readable, but Sutanto also delves into Indo-Chinese-American culture in such a careful and respectful way as if she is portraying her own family. There is broken English and mixed Indo and Mandarin and fierce familial bonds. The wedding being portrayed is also from the Indo-Chinese-American culture so you get to learn about the different ceremonies and traditions. I feel like this was Broadway’s The Play That Goes Wrong meets Jane the Virgin meets Crazy Rich Asians and is perfect for those who want a highly absorbing yet easy read with romantic elements.”