Snowe’s endearing latest holiday romance (after Christmas Sweater Weather) follows a marriage in crisis. Laney Reynolds doesn’t doubt that her husband, Connor, still loves her, but she also doesn’t think their marriage of nine years can survive him continuing to put his job as CEO of a multimillion dollar tech company over her. Tired of feeling like an “afterthought,” she heads from Chicago back to her quaint hometown of Cherrywood, Ill., to stay with her parents for the holidays—without Connor. But Connor, desperate to save the marriage, rents the house next door. He asks Laney to give him a month of dating to convince her he’s changed his ways. If he can’t, he promises to sign divorce papers on December 31. Laney reluctantly agrees. Amid a plethora of festive town events, the pair relearn how to communicate with one another and reignite their love—but Laney struggles with telling Connor a life-changing secret that will put his commitment to prioritizing her and their relationship to the test. Cozy small town charm dominates, with plenty of snowfall, cocoa, and cheer to get readers in the Christmas spirit as the romance heats up between Laney and Connor. It’s adorable. Agent: Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, Purcell Agency. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/15/2025 | Details & Permalink

A Christmas Carol gets the Hot Frosty treatment in this zany and lopsided contemporary from bestseller Borison (First-Time Caller). It centers on antique store owner Harriet York falling hard for the Ghost of Christmas Past, aka Nolan Callahan, an Irish fisherman who died a hundred years ago and has been sent to help her mend her wicked ways. This goofy but undeniably fun premise is unfortunately undermined by the fact that, as flashbacks to Harriet’s past Christmases reveal, she’s not actually a bad person. Indeed, Harriet soon realizes that Nolan has been assigned to her not because he can help her, but because she can help him: her antique shop may hold the key to freeing Nolan from the ghostly plane and helping him move on. Borison’s cloying commitment to painting people pleaser Harriet as a quirky, put-upon saint, more sinned against than sinning, is often at odds with the irritating incompetence she displays and misses the central appeal of Dickens’s redemption plot. Die-hard fans of the original will be frustrated, and even those drawn in by the absurdity of Borison’s conceit will struggle to root for the central relationship. This disappoints. Agent: Kim Lionetti, BookEnds Literary. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/08/2025 | Details & Permalink

Oleander’s wildly kinky debut opens with teacher Claire Collins arriving at the Maine mansion belonging to lawyer Shane Underwood, her ex-husband’s boss, where, in exchange for $30,000, she will spend the next 30 days allowing him to hunt her for sexual sport. She’s desperate for the money after her ex, Keith, left her in dire financial straits, and she genuinely enjoys this kind of “primal play.” Meanwhile, Shane has been lusting after Claire since hearing Keith talk about their erotic hunting trips at a company holiday party two years prior. Bad with emotions and anxious to maintain boundaries, Shane draws up a contract to govern their “high-stakes game of hide-and-seek”—but as blazing-hot sex in the woods behind his house gives way to cuddles and conversations, the line between business and pleasure blurs. Oleander balances the danger-tinged sexual encounters with some genuine laughs (“How do I claim this on my taxes?” Claire wonders) and places refreshing emphasis on kink negotiation and consent. The sex- and action-heavy opening gives way to a plottier back half, including a handful of rote third-act conflicts that are dispatched almost as quickly as they arise. More successful is the undeniable chemistry between Claire and Shane, who come off as well-rounded characters despite sketchily filled-in backstories. Readers seeking erotic romance that’s as playful as it is filthy will want to check this out. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/08/2025 | Details & Permalink

Schaler (Finding Christmas) highlights the magic of the holiday season in this fluffy contemporary royal romance. Princess Ava of Skydovia is determined to carry on her late father’s tradition of throwing a dazzling Christmas Eve party, an event at which she plans to announce her engagement to Duke Henry of Emberland. Ava and Henry’s marriage was negotiated when they were children and though Ava feels nothing for him, now that her father’s dead, she feels she must do her duty to the throne. But her mother, Queen Kathleen, has different plans: she wants to use the party to announce the arrival of the new royal dog, Stormy. In the lead up to the party, however, Stormy wrecks the Christmas decorations and escapes the castle, forcing Ava to join forces with veterinarian and dog trainer Justin to search for the wayward pup. Romance inevitably blossoms as they scour the local Christmas village—all while avoiding the paparazzi. It’s a familiar festive story that would feel right at home among Netflix or Hallmark’s holiday offerings, and the addition of a chaotic canine enhances the fun. Schaler’s fans will not be disappointed. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/08/2025 | Details & Permalink

YA author Lee (Seoulmates) explores the complexities of cultural identity, family expectations, and personal choice in her charming adult debut. Julia Song, founder and CEO of Starlight Cosmetics, wants to expand her Korean American business into the Korean market but faces challenges due to gender bias. Meanwhile, her family cares more about her lack of romantic prospects than all of her successes. When Julia’s grandmother makes it her “dying wish” to see Julia married, she agrees to let family neighbor and go-to community handyman man Tae Kim coach her through three blind dates. Tae himself has been in love with Julia since childhood and, as the dates take comically disastrous turns, Julia comes to return his feelings—which may have been her meddling grandmother’s plan all along. The plot becomes somewhat repetitive, which causes the middle to drag a bit, but, for the most part, Lee successfully balances lighthearted rom-com fun with grounded real-world conflicts, including the struggle to juggle love, family, and career. Adult fans of Lee’s YA novels will fall just as hard for this sweet love story. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/08/2025 | Details & Permalink

Bestseller Macomber (A Christmas Duet) returns with a gentle, feel-good story that takes place over a few short hours and brings several wistful people together just in time for Christmas. Avery Bond is on a ferry heading from Bremerton, Wash., to Seattle to visit her brother for their first Christmas since the death of the grandmother who raised them. She’s wary of romance and guarded with Harrison Stetlor, the handsome naval officer who catches her eye aboard the boat, fearing that he’s a player. But Harrison’s on his way to meet his sister and turns out to be very congenial. When the ferry stalls unexpectedly in the middle of Puget Sound with mechanical issues, Avery and Harrison learn the stories of several fellow passengers: little Olivia’s parents are in love but painfully separated; black sheep Virginia is hoping to end a two-year estrangement from her twin sister; and expectant father James is desperate to reach the hospital in Seattle where his wife, Lilly, has gone into labor. The spirit of Christmas helps this disparate ensemble cast come together, reconciling differences and sparking new love. Meanwhile, on the mainland, Avery’s brother and Harrison’s sister find a connection of their own. It’s a somewhat slight but nevertheless enjoyable tale that’s sure to please Macomber’s devoted following. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/08/2025 | Details & Permalink

This charming second-chance romance from Schumacher (In the Orbit of You) finds 32-year-old Juniper Green miserable after her popular podcast is purchased by a company that promptly fires her once the ink is dry. Now she’s living with her father and trying to figure out her next career move. When she’s asked to audition for a full cast audiobook version of megapopular YA paranormal romance The Meadow (think Twilight), she comes face-to-face with James Neely, a college acquaintance who once played Romeo to her Juliet. James, now a bona fide Hollywood star, will be voicing the story’s vampire hero, William. Juniper gets the role as his love interest—a part that William soon asks her to play IRL as well, hoping that if they stage a relationship, his management will stop setting him up with starlets to boost his career. The audiobook production and frequent Twilight Easter eggs make for a fun background to this fake-dating plot. Abundant humor and a quirky supporting cast—including Juniper’s cowboy father—add to the entertainment. Schumacher makes this sing. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/08/2025 | Details & Permalink

Following the failed marriage proposal that opens this zany supernatural love story from Lambda Award winner Bellefleur (Truly, Madly, Deeply), heartbroken Sam Cooper will do whatever it takes to win back her ex-girlfriend Hannah. Enter Daphne, an alluring blonde agent of hell who offers Sam six wishes in exchange for her soul. Initially confident that she can outwit Daphne and walk away with both her soul and her relationship intact, Sam takes the deal. But Daphne, who has collected 999 souls and needs just one more to break free from her contract with the devil, is equally determined to succeed. Every wish Sam makes comes with unexpected consequences, leading to escalating supernatural crises as she attempts to contain the chaos with more wishes. As the flirtatious banter between Sam and Daphne deepens, Sam gradually comes to realize the life she wants may look drastically different from the future she always imagined. The attraction is there between Sam and Daphne from the start, but the romantic tension is slow to build given Sam’s obsession with the rather one-dimensional Hannah for much of the book. Still, when the romance does bloom, it’s delightful, and the clever, darkly humorous supernatural hijinks keep the plot moving. Bellefleur’s fans will be on board. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/01/2025 | Details & Permalink

Bestseller Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss) delivers a touching novel about self-discovery and growth. Ingrid’s younger sister’s engagement sparks questions as to why Ingrid and Cory, her boyfriend of 11 years, haven’t gotten hitched. Having only ever dated and slept with each other, the couple realize they want to experience more before settling down. They agree to take a one-month break to date anyone they like, then get back together to discuss marriage. Ingrid knows just who she wants to spend the month with: her library coworker and longtime crush, Macon. But when Macon shuts down her attempt at a kiss, she’s left adrift. She tries to hook up by going to a bar, letting a friend set her up, and joining a dating app, but still hasn’t had sex by the time the month is up. Cory’s also not ready for the break to end, so they extend their experiment. A second extension ends in heartbreak, in the wake of which Ingrid and Macon begin to grow close once more. For a long stretch of the book, the focus is off what will become of the central couple, which may frustrate some romance readers, but it’s gratifying to watch Ingrid explore and learn more about who she is and what she wants. Meanwhile, the tantalizing, slow-burning romance leads to a delicious payoff. This really works. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/01/2025 | Details & Permalink

Grief brings people together in this bittersweet romance from Norman (Charm City Rocks). It’s Baltimore bar owner Grace White’s first Christmas season since her husband Tim’s death almost a year ago. Navigating her new life as a widow becomes even more complicated when she uncovers hundreds of emails that point to Tim having an emotional affair with another woman, tarnishing her memory of their relationship. Advertising exec Henry Adler is also facing the holidays alone, his wife Brynn having died around the same time as Tim did. He feels pressure to move forward with his life, but is emotionally stuck in the past. When Grace’s and Henry’s mothers set them up to meet, the pair form an immediate, though somber, bond. As their friendship deepens, Henry shares his love of holiday films and they agree to watch one a night until Christmas, trying to inject the season with some much needed cheer. A genuine connection blossoms between Grace and Henry, but are either of them really ready to move on? This raw, emotional tale is not the typical holiday romance fare, but readers looking for a tearjerker with a hopeful ending will want to check it out—and have tissues at the ready. (Oct.)

Reviewed on 08/01/2025 | Details & Permalink