In this poignant and evocative novel by acclaimed author Kristina McMorris, a country is plunged into conflict and suspicion–forcing a young woman to find her place in a volatile world.
Los Angeles, 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern’s life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo. Her brother’s best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants. Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent. In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer just an outsider, but an enemy.
When her husband is interned at a war relocation camp, Maddie follows, sacrificing her Juilliard ambitions. Behind barbed wire, tension simmers and the line between patriot and traitor blurs. As Maddie strives for the hard-won acceptance of her new family, Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost.
Skillfully capturing one of the most controversial episodes in recent American history, Kristina McMorris draws readers into a novel filled with triumphs and heartbreaking loss—an authentic, moving testament to love, forgiveness, and the enduring music of the human spirit.
Review
5 stars
Of all the books I’ve read from Kristina McMorris thus far, this one is perhaps the one I felt most connected with. Like her, I’m half-Japanese (although not biracial), and I’m always looking to learn more about what Japanese Americans went through during World War II, because while there are some aspects which are public record, others are more obscure. This book is centered around one of them, the fact that there were actually many non-Japanese who voluntarily chose to live in internment with the Japanese people, many of them spouses in mixed-race marriages. Add that to the complex politics around mixed-race marriages at the time, and it makes for an intriguing story.
The heart of the story is the love story between Lane and Maddie, and their other loved ones, and the sacrifices they’re willing to make in hopes they can all live happily together. My heart hurt for them, as I deeply wanted them to be happy, and while I knew not to expect a genre romance, the ending was still a gut punch (albeit one tinged with hope).
I also love how the story charts the characters’ growth as individuals. Maddie in particular comes into her own over the course of the war, going from a bright-eyed girl to a strong woman, who’s been through a lot, but becomes stronger for it. And Lane, with his desire to prove himself, also comes of age in his own way…even as his pursuits are more perilous.
This is a beautiful book, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for romantic historical fiction.
Author Bio
KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of two novellas and six historical novels, including the runaway bestseller SOLD ON A MONDAY with over a million copies sold. The recipient of more than twenty national literary awards, she previously hosted weekly TV shows for Warner Bros. and an ABC affiliate, beginning at age nine with an Emmy Award-winning program, and owned a wedding-and-event-planning company until she had far surpassed her limit of “Y.M.C.A.” and chicken dances. Kristina lives near Portland, Oregon, where she somehow manages to be fully deficient of a green thumb and not own a single umbrella. For more, visit www.KristinaMcMorris.com
So, just like last year, I read an epic ton, and many books were contenders for my “best books” of the year. As such, I have an eclectic list, which I chose to split into romance (and books that aren’t classified as such but fit the general genre requirements), and a somewhat shorter non-romance category.
Since there are so many books, especially in the romance category, I tended to go with the ones that resonated with me, especially on a personal level.
Note: While I’ve seen no consensus on this and others are including them in their faves lists, I’m following the original stipulation from the HarperCollins Union to “hold reviews, nominations, or any other content” until the strike is over. However, it should be pretty obvious what my favorites from their various imprints were (especially in romance), judging by my reviews throughout the year, and nothing I would have included is something I’ve read since the strike began on November 10. I may post an addendum with all HC titles in the event HC agrees to actually bargain in good faith with their workers and resolve the situation (as unlikely as that looks at the moment). In the meantime, please follow @hcpunion on Twitter and/or Instagram or consult the links here to find out how you can get involved!
Romance (& adjacent)
Midnight Duet by Jen Comfort: I love the way Jen Comfort pays homage not just to Phantom, but to musical theater as a whole, with myriad little references throughout the book. It’s also a stunning modern retelling, maintaining the “plottiness” to match the source material (and making it just as bonkers), while also (for the most part) centering Erika and Christof’s romantic arc and their respective personal arcs.
You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi: Akwaeke Emezi brings her signature literary flair to the romance genre, crafting a beautiful story about navigating grief as a queer Black person. She plays with taboo tropes, like age gap and “falling for her boyfriend’s dad” to explore this issue in all its messiness. Feyi has been through a lot, and sees a kindred spirit in Alim, in spite of the fact that his kids think the worst of her.
The One True Me and You by Remi K. England: This is a really fun opposites-attract queer romcom. Kaylee and Teagan are both relatable in their respective passions, as well as in how they each go on their own journeys to articulate their respective queer identities.
Elizabethan Mischief by Elysabeth Grace: I love a Tudor-set historical romance, rare as they are, and the bonus that this also featured Black characters in the central roles was another major plus for me! The political landscape alone is well-depicted, with the backdrop centered around one of the plots that threatened Elizabeth’s reign. And the relationships between characters are wonderful, especially the bond between long-lost sisters impacted by colorism. Kate and Simon’s romance, which is tested due to her change in status, is also incredibly beautiful.
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall: My absolute favorite of the several books Alexis Hall released this year, it’s just a bucketload of charm. Valentine is a grumpy, demisexual duke, and Bonny is a chaotic sunshine romantic looking out for his sister’s best interests. Hall also sensitively grapples with the issues queer people dealt with during the Regency era, while retaining a fairly optimistic tone and giving the characters a believable HEA.
With Her Own Two Hands by Tasha L. Harrison: This book won me over for its nuanced portrayal of mental health. Aggie’s experiences living with bipolar distorted and hypomania are well rendered, including incorporation of professional therapy and self-care into her daily routine. She’s paired with Julian, who has his own baggage from a past relationship which is also compassionately depicted, and I loved seeing them develop a relationship on their terms,
The Heartbreak Handshake by J.R. Hart: Ace rep in fiction is sadly lacking, and in romance even more so. However, whatever people’s preferences, this book shows that a romance between asexuals without on-page sex, or even kissing (one of the major barriers to inclusion) is possible. Both leads are sex repulsed, but find different ways of exploring their connection to each other and expressing love. And the bonus of depicting the intersection of marginalizations with autistic and ADHD rep also spoke to me as an autistic asexual.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert: Talia Hibbert pretty much always delivers, and her YA debut is no different. I love the characters and how Brad and Celine are both so believable, dealing with such realistic challenges. I particularly appreciate the OCD rep on Brad’s part.
Back in the Day by Katrina Jackson: While I didn’t post a review for this book at the time, I did very much love it. It’s not a “conventional” romance in terms of structure, but as someone who reads widely, and likes well-written multi-timeline historical fiction in particular, this really worked for me. And while there is death, there’s something powerful about celebrating the legacy of love: it’s not just about two people, although that’s a factor. It’s about the years they spent together, and how the memories of those years continue to provide the surviving partner with comfort when their spouse is gone. It’s about their child and his coming into his own, finding his own epic love. It’s about the community they built as Black people who came up in the midst of the civil rights movement, and that legacy. And it’s a shame recent-ish Twitter discourse tried to diminish this book and its themes, as while it doesn’t fit the conventional mold, it is absolutely satisfying for open-minded readers looking for something a little different, and not the least bit deceptive in its contents.
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann: This is undoubtedly Claire Kann’s best book to date. I love Claire Kann’s depiction of asexuality, and how it’s not always sexlessness. There’s some great sentiments in here about dressing up for yourself, and not society at large, which should really be taken to heart in general, even among allosexuals. There’s also a pretty good depiction of love rivalry and tension that gets messy without it being over the top and having everyone hate each other. Joy develops a solid friendship with Summer, despite the fact that Summer is the current object of her love, Malcolm’s affections. There’s believable reckoning with how Malcolm has taken Joy for granted over the years. And Fox, coming in with baggage of his own with Summer, develops a lovely romance with Joy once she is able to fully get over her unrequited love.
Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor: This book meant a lot to me as a neurodivergent person who loved theatre in high school. Beatrice’s experiences of not really fitting in with what typical teens enjoy really resonated with me, and I love that she stepped out of her comfort zone and found something she loved.
Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly: This is a book for all the queer foodies out there! Cooking takes center stage in the novel, including in the culminating romantic gesture, and this definitely is a book that will make you hungry. The characters are also incredibly lovable, from chaotic Dahlia, who hopes to reinvent herself after a divorce to London, who has confidently come out to the public in the wake of their cooking-show appearance, but is still dealing with misunderstandings and judgments within their family.
Shake Things Up by Skye Kilaen: I love how this book really breaks down the barriers of queer and polyamorous relationships. Matt and Allie are in an open relationship, and this is one of the most positive depictions of that dynamic I’ve seen. Allie also meets Noelle in a setup I absolutely adore, with them coming together when they find out that the same guy has been playing and cheating on both of them. Meanwhile, Matt not only is supportive as Allie brings Noelle into their relationship, but is also exploring his own sexuality and queer identity.
Her Unexpected Roommate by Jackie Lau: This is arguably Jackie Lau’s most personal book, given how it deals with a protagonist’s journey with grief at the loss of a parent to suicide, as well as discussion about the depression Rose continues to live with. It’s handled beautifully and in an ultimately affirming way. I also appreciate the way that Caleb is such an open, accepting hero, giving her a sense of stability and accepting her in turn on whatever terms she’s willing to offer.
No Rings Attached by Rachel Lacey: I adored the execution of “this just a fling?”, a trope which can often fall flat for me. But I really felt a sense of emotional investment here, and cared about the “will-they/won’t-they” dynamic. Rosie and Grace also have a lot of personal depth and deal with real-world issues, without the book becoming too dark.
Set on You by Amy Lea: I loved this book, and it really spoke to me as an Asian plus-size person. I loved Crystal’s journey of projecting an image of self-love, even if she had to fake it, to coming to a realization that it’s ok to be vulnerable sometimes and she doesn’t have to do all this on her own was a great message to read. And the romance that develops with Scott does a good job of helping to further inform that.
Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese: Chloe Liese masters the balance of steamy and sweet with this one! Bea and Jamie have great chemistry tinged with all the right notes of awkwardness, cuteness, and swooniness. And it’s a masterclass in how to amplify the steamy scenes by building up to them and succeeding them with great little moments of quiet intimacy and vulnerability. Plus, there’s nuanced autism and anxiety rep!
The Harpy and the Dragon by Marie Lipscomb: I love an unlikable, even villainous heroine, but I didn’t realize how much I liked when she met her match until I read this book. Both Annora and Henry have dark pasts and have received punishment for the crimes they’ve committed as the story begins. And while the story sees them grow, it’s not a redemption story for either, but about their hearts growing to include the other. Henry in particular, who was a major villain in prior books, becomes just a touch less self-centered as he lets Annora into his world.
Plowed by Marie Lipscomb writing as M.L. Eliza: Two words: sexy Santa. I adored this little book so much, I broke my own rule about including more than one book per author, justifying it based on them being under different pen names. It’s delightfully sexy, but also explores how Santa and his Holly find ways to live their HEA in the midst of the most intense time of the year.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna: I’m loving the rising trend of cozy fantasy (especially the romantic kind), and this may be one of the best I’ve read of the subgenre. It’s a perfect blend of magic that pays homage to the past, while being set in the present and interacting with modern technology. Mika is a wonderful heroine with a quirky online persona to center the narrative, and I love how she finds a surrogate family over the course of the story and “governessing” the young girls in her care. And her romance with the librarian Jamie is super cute!
The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews: This is a beautiful story, exploring and unpacking Gothic tropes in an atypical way for the genre. Matthews pays homage to the “sensation novels” of the Victorian era, but also adds humanity to them. Jasper is a hero with a dark past, but it comes through in such a compassionate way for all he experienced. Julia is also personally relatable to me as someone who deals with social anxiety, and I love the commentary of mental health care at the time, and how she navigates a society with which she does not really “fit.”
Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore: The Great Gatsby gets a queer reimagining that simultaneously subverts the original narrative, yet tries to ensure the public perception of the original comes into being to begin with. I love the exploration of trans identity in the context of the Great American Dream, and how both Nick and Gatsby try to reinvent themselves within it. Their romance also feels so beautiful, with that additional context. There’s also a much deeper exploration of Nick and Daisy’s relationship, with their shared Latine identity; how he embraces it, while she rebuffs it.
100 Nights with the Duke by Jess Michaels: Jess Michaels celebrated a rare author milestone in fabulous style with this book, and it was worthy of the honor. I love how it deals with the complex class politics and the stakes related to that, examining the complex lingering feelings of a past love affair. Edward is a duke navigating the judgment of society, while also wanting to be with the woman he loves, and Sophia is beautifully broken, trying her best to hold onto her dignity even as she is tempted once again.
Love Somebody by Rachel Roasek: This is a fun modern queer twist on Cyrano de Bergerac, and I love how it presents the perspectives of all three participants, creating a compelling love triangle where all are likable. It strikes the balance between delving into the messiness of the dynamics between Sam, Ros, and Christian, while also resolving things in an amicable way by the end.
Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert: The Dark Olympus series has been nothing but bangers so far (in multiple senses of the word), and this may be the boldest thus far (although the hints for what’s to come suggest that could change). Katee Robert beautifully combines two myths, seeing the irresistible Helen entangled with the Achilles and Patroclus dynamic. Helen is the boldest heroine of the series yet, along with some dark edges and trauma that pay homage to her mythical origins. The fact that she’s willing to challenge for the mantle of Ares against a bunch of men makes her immediately compelling…and she does it without being reduced to a stereotypical “girl boss.” Achilles is her rival for the position, but there’s also this simmering romantic tension, and it’s wonderful to see a realistic growth as a result of love, and see him put that over his pride. And Patroclus is just the sweetest, with ties to both of them in different ways.
Reel by Kennedy Ryan: Kennedy Ryan is one of those immensely hyped authors (previously in the indie space, although she’s now becoming more mainstream), and I finally got around to trying her work this year, and I loved it. She knows how to pack an emotional punch with her writing, and this one is no different, with the romance highlighting a supportive relationship in the wake of an illness. And the way this book highlights the contributions of Black creators in Hollywood in both the past and present is wonderful. While this isn’t a historical romance, I love the homage it pays to Old Hollywood and those classic Black actors and filmmakers. Honorable mention goes to her trad release this year, Before I Let Go, which is also deeply emotionally moving, but this one edged it out just slightly.
In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh: I’m a sucker for princess stories, and I love how this book takes the broad framework of The Princess Diaries (American finds out she’s a Princess) and injects so much cultural nuance. Bri spends a lot of the book figuring out her role as Princess and future leader of an African nation, along with getting to know her people and dodging conspiracies from those who wish her ill. However, she also is tasked with finding a husband, and while she initially agrees to approach things diplomatically, the sneaky way the bond with her eventual surprise love interest creeps up on you (and the way she navigates the obstacles in their way) makes you root for them.
The Courtesan and Mr. Hyde by Catherine Stein: A romantic retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde seems a bit unlikely, but Catherine Stein surprised me with a story I didn’t know I needed here. Hal is super sweet and a bit awkward, with a hidden wild side, and I love the way that is explored in a way that makes the central character with the dual identity a romantic hero. And Callie makes for a great counterpart for him, being both incredibly beautiful and intelligent, able to fight for her rights as a woman engaging in sex work and capable of matching wits with Hal where his experiments are concerned.
What Souls Are Made Of by Tasha Suri: Wuthering Heights is not a romance, but this retelling definitely is. Tasha Suri pays tribute to the original, but also gives her versions of the characters the chance to speak for themselves in real time, as opposed to the original, where proxy characters reveal the narrative secondhand. You get a real sense of the stakes against them, and it’s also infused with a greater cultural nuance which the original lacked. And of course, while some events overlap, the sequence they follow and their ultimate outcome differ, in order to provide a much more optimistic outcome for the once-tragic and tragically flawed lovers.
Non-Romance
The Address by Fiona Davis: The best Fiona Davis book in my personal opinion. It perfectly executes the mystery element across the two timelines of the book, with well-paced suspense in the earlier timeline, which informs and is complemented perfectly in the more modern one. This is also a great execution of a red herring, with a narrative you believe is going a certain way, only for the rug to believably be pulled from under you.
My Imaginary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows: The Lady Janies did it again, this time taking on the anachronistic female friendship between teenage Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace. It’s anti-Percy Shelley, anti-Byron (and also anti-Annabella Millbanke Byron at the same time), and about celebrating the accomplishments of these women, while breaking them from the historical chains that confined them. And there’s an adorable romance between Mary and an automaton.
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins: I love a clever reimagining of historical figures *glances at had the list*, and this one did that. There are so many little references to the real Mary and Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron, I couldn’t help but chuckle. But it also revises the narrative to give the modern Mary character, Mari, more agency, even if she has to take it retroactively for herself through a revision of her narrative. And the dark story of friendship and sisterhood torn apart by adultery and tragedy is paralleled perfectly in the modern timeline, as Emily and Chess’ story begins to eerily mirror Mari and Laura’s, and they also are faced with the choice to take control of their own story.
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson: Alexis Henderson delivered the truly bloody Elizabeth Bathory-inspired historical/Gothic horror of my dreams! Tackling the complex intersections of racial and class-based power dynamics, I loved watching this story unfold through Marion’s eyes, seeing her initial naïveté and struggle for survival grow over the course of the story, as she’s initially drawn to, and then, horrified by, the enigmatic, bloodthirsty Lisavet.
The Fervor by Alma Katsu: I love the use of horror to explore traumatic and horrific events of the past through an allegorical lens. This book does that, paralleling the very real terror Japanese Americans felt to be racially profiled and interned in camps during World War II with a supernatural element.
One for All by Lillie Lainoff: Disability rep is still hard to find in fiction, especially the sort that doesn’t center on suffering. However, this book stands out in terms of showing what disabled people are capable of. Tania is an incredible role model for teens who deal with POTS and similar chronic illnesses, and I love that Lainoff got to write from her own experience, including injecting her own passion for fencing. It’s also just a fun, ahistorical twist on a classic that was sorely in need of an inclusive update.
Great or Nothing by Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharpe, and Jessica Spotswood: A wonderful collaborative novel retelling Little Women, but transplanting the action to World War II. I love how it pays homage to the spirit of the original and their bonds, while also doing its own thing. The most powerful element is perhaps the choice for Beth’s chapters to be in verse, speaking from beyond the grave, while the other three are navigating their individual pursuits and lives without her. It makes for a powerful read, and shows how the surviving sisters attempt to move forward, even amid terrible loss and grief, with their story arcs mirroring elements of the “Good Wives” portion of the narrative.
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman: This is a truly unique, heartfelt exploration of the bonds formed within fandom. While it does comment on the more prominent stereotypes of obsessed fans and “love” for their idols, I love that this goes deeper than that. Jimmy is a member of a boy band struggling under the pressure imposed by their record label, and I love how unflinchingly it goes into the various mental health issues and dysfunctional relationships the members and those close to them have. Angel loves her idols selflessly, to the point of being willing to help them without expectations of more, and she also comes to a realization about the true nature of a strong bond she formed through the fandom community. There’s also a positive, affirming portrayal of queerness, with Jimmy being openly trans, and fellow member Lister embodying chaotic bisexual energy, as well as Angel being unlabeled, but learning more about her identity over the course of the book.
The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri: This series has been more of a grower for me than her previous work, as it does focus on multiple major characters, and feels more in the vein of an epic fantasy with a prominent romantic arc than a fantasy romance (as was the case with her first duology). However, I ended up really loving the developments in the second installment, and Malini and Priya and their complex dynamic and torn loyalties absolutely shine through in this book. And it’s complemented perfectly by well-plotted political intrigue that informs their internal arcs very well.
The Wife Before by Shanora Williams: Yet another thriller that cleverly reimagines a classic, and does so in a way that is satisfying for both those familiar with the source material and those who aren’t. It’s delightfully twisty (and twisted), and left me absolutely breathless waiting for the final reveal.
What if the whole world was watching while you fell in love for the first time?
Daisy and Noah have the same plan: use the holiday concert to land a Julliard audition. But when they’re chosen to play a duet for the concert, they worry that their differences will sink their chances.
Noah, a cello prodigy from a long line of musicians, wants to stick to tradition. Daisy, a fiercely independent disabled violinist, is used to fighting for what she wants and likes to take risks. But the two surprise each other when they play. They fall perfectly in tune.
After their performance goes viral, the rest of the country falls for them just as surely as they’re falling for each other. But viral fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. No one seems to care about their talent or their music at all. People have rewritten their love story into one where Daisy is an inspiration for overcoming her cerebral palsy and Noah is a saint for seeing past it.
Daisy is tired of her disability being the only thing people see about her, and all of the attention sends Noah’s anxiety disorder into high speed. They can see their dream coming closer than it’s ever been before. But is the cost suddenly too high?
Review
4 stars
You, Me, and Our Heartstrings is the disabled YA romcom I was waiting for! While I don’t have cerebral palsy, I am disabled, and I love seeing a book that explores what it means to be a disabled girl, including dealing with the mix of people’s pity and scorn. Daisy’s narrative is so well-rendered in that, and I like that the book interweaves the ableism she deals with, without allowing herself to only be defined by her disability. It perfectly strikes that line between wanting it to be acknowledged that society isn’t always the most accommodating or open to disabled people, while also celebrating her personality beyond that: a musician from a family of musicians, who aspires to thrive in her own right, and is willing to fight for the right to do so.
Noah is a sympathetic character, and I like that there’s a portrayal of the well-intentioned friend/significant other of a disabled person that explores that relationship and the scrutiny they receive with nuance. He’s a generally good person, but while he and Daisy are on the same page about a lot of things, he has a lot to learn about how to treat a disabled person with respect, acknowledging both their personhood and their disability.
I also love the attention and care given to his anxiety disorder and how the attention magnifies it. While his experience with his disability is different from hers, I like the way this ultimately helps to bring them together.
This is a sweet read, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for positive rep for for cerebral palsy and anxiety in YA romance.
Author Bio
Melissa See is a disabled author of young adult contemporary romances. She lives in New York with her cat, Miles; more books than she can read; and more anime than she can watch. She is represented by Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary Agency.
Even after brokering a deal with the vicious merfolk who stalk his offshore fishing lanes, Captain Killian Quinn has had one too many onboard his boat for comfort. His livelihood, and life, as well as that of his crew’s, depends on his ability to maintain peace. One wrong move and the Dawn Chaser could become a floating charcuterie board, and he’d never see again the one mermaid he wouldn’t mind take a little nibble out of him.
A sinister craving for human flesh leaves Lorelei Roth with no other choice. She must aid the study of one of her own to find a more permanent solution to protect the ones she loves. As enthralled by all her sharp edges and seductive siren song as her fiancé may be, the threat of becoming the wrong kind of snack is never far enough away.
While they’re close to a breakthrough treatment, doubt gnaws at Lorelei as she watches a fellow mermaid languish in a tank, enduring endless rounds of tests and denied the healing touch of the sea. Is one mermaid’s declining health and happiness too steep a price for freedom? And if so, what sacrifices is Lorelei willing to make to set it right?
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Song of Lorelei is a solid follow up to Called to the Deep, building both on Killian and Lorelei’s love story and the world Desirée Niccoli has created, blending a seaside town setting with mermaid lore. The book takes a somewhat different approach, and while I still enjoyed it, whether you like this one or the previous one (or both) is really down to personal preference.
There’s a greater sense of reality, even amid all the intense otherworldly things going on, and while I admit to preferring the more magical aspects of book one, I like what that means for the characters. Lorelei in particular goes through a lot, dealing with some very human issues, a perfect contrast of her arc in the prior book of coming to terms with the more inhuman side of herself.
And while I wasn’t sure about following her and Killian again, as they were left in a good place in the last book, they still have issues to work through together, which made this book feel necessary and their love feel earned.
And there still is more fantastical stuff, particularly through the introduction of new characters like Nireed. The world expanded and the external stakes were raised in a way that also made this book feel worth reading.
This is a solid conclusion to a wonderful, original duology, and I’d recommend it if you enjoy urban fantasy or mermaid romance.
CWs (taken from author’s website): This book contains sexual content. It is not intended for anyone under the legal age of adulthood. All characters depicted in sexual situations herein are over 18 years of age. Some content within this book may be triggering or disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. Other content within this book, includes, but is not limited to:
Mental health struggles (guilt, imposter syndrome, depression, overworking), physical health deterioration, grief, life threatening situations, threat of gun violence, blood, body horror, cursing, death of a parent (past), child loss (past, briefly mentioned), rape (past, briefly mentioned)
Author Bio
By night, Desirée M. Niccoli writes adult romance featuring vicious monsters, villains, and the supernatural, often served with a side of eco-horror and paired with (mostly) emotionally intelligent characters and heart. By day, she is a public relations professional living the nomadic military life with her husband and two cats Pawdry Hepburn and Puma Thurman. Although born and raised in Pittsburgh, Desirée has since lived in coastal Maine (where her spooky heart truly lies) and Maryland.
Name Pronunciation: DE-zi-RAY NI-Koh-lee. Rhymes with cannoli ;]‘
The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs, and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.
For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.
At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.
Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.
Review
4 stars
With every book I read by Kristina McMorris, I’m more and more impressed. I love that, with this book in particular, she was inspired by a subject I haven’t seen covered in fiction, which explores the impact of the Great Depression on a single family, as well as the results of the media coverage and exploitation. The fact that there’s also a layer of speculation of the nature of the real photo (whether it was staged or not) complicated matters, and I love how McMorris further comments on the mid-twentieth century version of what we today would call “going viral” today, and the impacts of that on those involved.
Ellis and Lillian are pretty intriguing characters, and I like how there’s a balance between the personal stakes for them with their jobs, and their struggle to maintain their personal ethics in a competitive field where they could be replaced. Ellis in particular is tempted toward compromising himself to get ahead and receive journalistic acclaim, although he ultimately makes the right choices.
I also appreciated the amount of care put into depicting the children and their situation. There’s a great sense of compassion for both their initial circumstances and the later media circus around them that puts them in danger.
The pacing is on the slower side, but it’s never to the point that it’s boring. It’s very centered on the characters and their concerns, with the stakes being high in a somewhat smaller, yet still important way.
This is a solidly written and engaging book, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for historical fiction about unique time periods and/or subjects.
Author Bio
KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of two novellas and six historical novels, including the runaway bestseller SOLD ON A MONDAY with over a million copies sold. The recipient of more than twenty national literary awards, she previously hosted weekly TV shows for Warner Bros. and an ABC affiliate, beginning at age nine with an Emmy Award-winning program, and owned a wedding-and-event-planning company until she had far surpassed her limit of “Y.M.C.A.” and chicken dances. Kristina lives near Portland, Oregon, where she somehow manages to be fully deficient of a green thumb and not own a single umbrella. For more, visit www.KristinaMcMorris.com
Two years ago, independent widow Juliana Sheldon spent a blissful night with the Viscount Audlington at an inn during a snowstorm, and the next morning, he left without a word. Juliana doesn’t realize how much his abandonment upset her until she encounters him at a matchmaking house party. He’d like to rekindle their affair, but Juliana prefers to torment him instead. Until she finally surrenders to temptation—only to be dismayed when he begins to talk about the one thing she doesn’t want: marriage.
Lucas Trask, heir to an earldom, has left his rakish reputation behind in favor of finally taking a wife. He never forgot Juliana and reconnecting with her seems like fate is telling him who he should wed. However, Lucas has a secret, one he’s never dared share with anyone. If he can convince Juliana to be his wife, he’ll reveal everything. But when tragedy strikes, he must leave again. This time, the runaway viscount may be all out of luck.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Runaway Viscount is the third installment in Darcy Burke’s Matchmaking Chronicles. It works well as a stand-alone, but it has the same charm I liked about the first two. However, it should also be noted that The Bachelor Earl, previously marketed as a prequel story to another Burke series, The Untouchables, has since also been rebranded as book two of this series, despite its release predating that of book one.
The couple here have an interesting dynamic, given it involves Lucas running away multiple times when he’s seemingly been on the precipice of some romantic promise to Juliana. However, he’s the opposite of a ruinous scoundrel; he’s trying to turn over a new leaf and leave his rakish past behind him…although he does have some secrets that motivate him to behave as he does. Juliana is also interesting, and I like how she responds to her initial hurt by toying with him a bit when they’re reunited.
While there are some rough moments, what with navigating their pasts and their secrets, and figuring out how to trust each other, it ultimately comes together nicely. And like previous books in the series, I like that it touches on less conventional ways for a couple to be together and build a family, especially as Juliana is infertile.
This is a nice short read, and I’m excited for what’s to come in the series next. If you enjoy historical romance, I recommend picking this up!
Author Bio
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Click here to Join her Reader Club.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, artist daughter, and imaginative son who will almost certainly out-write her one day (that may be tomorrow).
They’re a crazy cat family with two Bengal cats, a small, fame-seeking cat named after a fruit, an older rescue Maine Coon with attitude to spare, and a collection of neighbor cats who hang out on the deck and occasionally venture inside. You can find Darcy at a winery, in her comfy writing chair, or binge-watching TV with the family.
Her happy places are Disneyland, Labor Day weekend at the Gorge, Denmark, and anywhere in the UK—so long as her family is there too.
San Francisco attorney Cecily Chang is ready to tackle the New Year head on, so she creates a list of resolutions guaranteed to reboot her life—right after her dutiful visit home to Sunset Park, Brooklyn, for the Lunar New Year. Cecily prepares to face her critical, meddling mother, nosy relatives, and the chaos and drama family togetherness brings. At least the food will be delicious. This holiday, Cecily vows to remain calm—as long as she doesn’t see him.
Jeffrey Lee deeply regrets how he ended things with Cecily ten years ago, but he felt it was best for her at the time. When he runs into her again during the New Year, he sees it as a sign. Now a successful screenwriter, Jeffrey is determined to win back Cecily’s heart.
But Cecily doesn’t believe in signs or second chances and embraces her new resolutions. This time, Jeffrey won’t give up—and he’s convinced he can write them a new Hollywood happy ending.
Review
3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve followed Lisa Lin on Twitter for a while, and we tend to run in the same Romance Twitter circles, although I can’t remember having interacted with her directly. But given our mutual connections, I was excited to give her debut novel, The Year of Cecily, a try, as it sounded really good. And for the most part, it delivered what I was looking for.
I love the general premise, with Cecily setting out to make the most of the New Year and set resolutions that will allow her to live her life on her own terms. I appreciated the way it explored the intergenerational conflicts in Cecily’s family, and how her relationship with her mother is fraught in part as a reflection of those dynamics. Cecily doesn’t like how her mother tries to micromanage her life and constantly reduces her with backhanded compliments, and I appreciate how the journey toward articulating that is handled, especially with the reveal that her mother and grandmother had a similar relationship.
Jeffrey was a hard sell for me, particularly as a romantic interest. As a person, I could understand him, as he, like Cecily, deals with parental pressure. But I didn’t care for some aspects of their relationship, like Jeffrey’s reasoning behind the breakup feeling very silly. And I didn’t feel like he was assertive enough in the present as a romantic interest for the strong personality Cecily is (at least internally), although he does improve somewhat by the end. But while it is very much a romance, I didn’t feel like the romance was the strongest selling point of the book for me.
While I had mixed feelings about this one, I am optimistic about the trajectory for the series and anything else Lisa Lin has coming next, as she is a talented writer. If you’re looking for a fun book oriented around the Lunar New Year and Chinese culture, I recommend keeping an eye out for this one!
Author Bio
Lisa has been an avid romance reader and fan since she read her first Nora Roberts novel at the age of 13 after wandering the aisles of her local bookstore. Lisa loves that romance has the power to inspire, and believes that HEAs are for everyone.
Lisa writes light contemporary romantic comedies with a liberal dash of snark and banter. She enjoys delving into the complexity of Asian and immigrant family experiences, and celebrates female friendships in her trademark dry, witty style. As an Asian-American author writing own voices Asian American stories, Lisa hopes that her books will show the diversity of the Asian-American experience, and the importance of every reader being able to see themselves represented on the page.
Having grown up in Pennsylvania and helping out at her parents’ restaurant, Lisa has never bothered to learn to cook. She has two liberal arts undergraduate degrees and a J.D, and in her former life she was an intern, then Legislative Assistant for a PA State Representative. She also worked as a paralegal at a boutique law firm. Lisa is a politics junkie (don’t get her started on the wonder that is The West Wing!), indulges in naps whenever possible, and believes Netflixing in her pajamas and ordering take out qualifies as the perfect weekend. As a self-described Twitter addict, you can tweet her @laforesta1!
From Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘ Em Dead—the hilarious and heart-pounding followup to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It…
Finlay Donovan is—once again—struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she’s dealt with lately is that of her daughter’s pet goldfish.
On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he’s a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she’d like.
Meanwhile, Vero’s keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay’s first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes… and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.
With her next book’s deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it…
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is a fun follow up to the first Finlay Donovan book. There’s always a risk when a book is so bonkers and fun that the novelty will wear off, but it remains pretty wild and over-the-top.
I continue to love the dynamic between Finlay and Vero, and how they get into all these ridiculous shenanigans together. And while I missed the meta element of the plot and the books Finlay writes more directly informing each other (although it’s still part of the story), I liked how the focus shifted more to elements of Finlay and Vero’s respective personal lives. Finlay is trying to save her ex, Steven, who, despite being a cheating asshole, is at least a good father to their kids. Vero’s life also gets a bit more depth as well, fleshing her out beyond the sidekick role.
I’m still a bit mixed on the two romantic interests, although it was a bit more fleshed out this time around. I just wish it hadn’t leaned into the love triangle angle, especially as I’m still not sure I find either man particularly compelling.
I was much more invested in the characters than the plot, but the shenanigans of the plot were still fun. There’s more involvement with the mob, and I like how they contribute to the over-the-top nature of the book. There are some great twists and turns, and there’s rarely a dull moment.
While I don’t know if this delivered quite as much as the first book, I enjoyed it for the most part. If you enjoyed book one, I recommend continuing the series.
Author Bio
Elle Cosimano is a USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Award winner, a Bram Stoker Award finalist, and an Edgar® Award nominee. Her acclaimed young adult novels include Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a PEOPLE Magazine Pick and was named one of New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2021. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and Time. Elle lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.
An interior designer who is never without the perfect plan learns to renovate her love life without one in this new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care.
For Astrid Parker, failure is unacceptable. Ever since she broke up with her fiancé a year ago, she’s been focused on her career—her friends might say she’s obsessed, but she knows she’s just driven. When Pru Everwood asks her to be the designer for the Everwood Inn’s renovation, which will be featured on a popular HGTV show, Innside America, Astrid is thrilled. Not only will the project distract her from her failed engagement and help her struggling business, but her perpetually displeased mother might finally give her a nod of approval.
However, Astrid never planned on Jordan Everwood, Pru’s granddaughter and the lead carpenter for the renovation, who despises every modern design decision Astrid makes. Jordan is determined to preserve the history of her family’s inn, particularly as the rest of her life is in shambles. When that determination turns into some light sabotage to ruffle Astrid’s perfect little feathers, the showrunners ask them to play up the tension. But somewhere along the way, their dislike for each other evolves into something quite different, and Astrid must decide what success truly means. Is she going to pursue the life that she’s expected to lead or the one that she wants?
Review
4 stars
While I wasn’t blown away by Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, finding it unmemorable (who was Delilah’s love interest again?), I saw a lot of promise in Astrid as a potential lead from her supporting role in that book. And fortunately, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail was a much better book overall.
And as expected, Astrid was one of the major reasons why. She was already deeply complex, and I loved learning more about her. She’s very tightly wound, but a lot of it comes from her fruitless attempts to please her mother, and the story partially follows Astrid as she learns to let go and break free of this pattern.
Someone as memorable as Astrid needs an equally compelling love interest, and fortunately, Jordan delivers. She seems opposite to Astrid in many ways, but I love how she too has a dedication and purpose to her work, perhaps one that comes from a much more genuine and fruitful place, thus allowing for Astrid to come to some catharsis and gain perspective. The romantic tension from their initial antagonism to the respect and love that grows between them is largely well executed, and there aren’t any conflicts of interest or issues with power dynamics to complicate things, despite things starting off as professional.
I will say I have seen some people who raved about Delilah Green say they found this one disappointing by comparison, so it’s possible that loving one doesn’t necessarily mean you will enjoy the other to the same degree, just as I enjoyed this one more than its predecessor.
However, with all that said, whatever your feelings are on book one (even if you haven’t read it!), I would personally recommend this if you’re looking for a fun queer contemporary romance.
Author Bio
Ashley Herring Blake is an award-winning author and literary agent at Rees Literary Agency. She holds a Master’s degree in teaching and loves coffee, arranging her books by color, and cold weather. She is the author of the young adult novels Suffer Love, How to Make a Wish, and Girl Made of Stars, and the middle grade novels Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James, and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea.
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World was a Stonewall Honor Book, as well as a Kirkus, School Library Journal, NYPL, and NPR Best Book of 2018. Her YA novel Girl Made of Stars was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. She’s also the author of the adult romance novel Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, and a co-editor on the young adult romance anthology Fools in Love. She lives on a very tiny island off the coast of Georgia with her family.
Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.
Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.
Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash everyone’s hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.
To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder: What if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?
Review
5 stars
Chloe Liese has been on my radar for a while, but it’s only with the release of her trad debut, Two Wrongs Make a Right, that I was able to finally give her writing a try. And for all that people have raved about her work, I’m very impressed. I love that she prioritizes featuring neurodivergent people in her work, and that this book in particular features an autistic heroine and a hero with anxiety, both of which resonate deeply with me.
Bea and Jamie are both extremely relatable. Bea spoke to me as an artistic autistic of a different sort (I’m a writer, obviously), and it’s nice to see a character that falls outside of the stereotypical STEM mold you often see many characters on the autism spectrum occupy.
Jamie falls more into that mold, being a pediatrician from a family of surgeons, who occupies his anxiety-ridden mind on sleepless nights by cataloging human body parts.
I love the dynamic between the two of them, and how they work together. While they initially seem like complete opposites, they’re actually more similar under the surface than they realize at first. And while the setup and execution of their relationship is predictable, it’s the little nuances the characters bring to it that make it special. They truly come to get each other and are willing to be themselves with each other, and there’s these little moments that show that.
I loved this book a lot, and I’m excited for what’s to come in the next book! If you enjoy heartfelt contemporary romance and/or are looking for good autism/anxiety rep, I recommend picking this up!
Author Bio
Chloe writes romances reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. Her stories pack a punch of heat, heart, and humor, and often feature characters who are neurodivergent like herself. When not dreaming up her next book, Chloe spends her time wandering in nature, playing soccer, and most happily at home with her family and mischievous cats.
Courtney Reads Romance 