-
FAKE SKATING BY LYNN PAINTER // spoiler-free book review: if you haven’t read this YA childhood friends to lovers sports romance with alllll the yearning then idk what you’re doing with your life,,,
Before we get into the pterodactyl screeching that will be this review, I figure this is a great time to shoutout the interview I did with Lynn a while back, in case you missed it: Title: Fake SkatingAuthor: Lynn PainterPage count: 448Date published: 30 September 2025Genre: Young adult contemporary romance ⛸️ Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled “feel-good rom-com” (School Library Journal) about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship. Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t. Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance…
-
THE WEDDING THERAPIST BY LIVIAN BLUSH // blog promotion book feature: adding another childhood friends to lovers romance book series to your TBR!!!
I need to paint you a picture. So there’s me, the hopeless romantic. Who loves weddings. And books. That’s it, that’s the picture. It was destiny that I would be into this book! My friends, I am literally ecstatic about today’s post because, um, hey, if you haven’t been under a rock, you’ll know me and romance are like this 🤞🏻 lately, and nothing can be done about it. You should also know that I am OBSESSED with a certain trope which is in this book. So yes, frothing at the mouth, let’s get into it <3<3<3 Title: The Wedding TherapistSeries: The Wedding Therapist book #1Author: Livian BlushPage count: 208Date published: 15 March 2026Genre: Adult contemporary romance 💍 Synopsis: From bestselling author Livian Blush comes a suspenseful romance with twists and lots of humor full of wedding ceremony shenanigans, slow-burn candle heat, and a first crush turned second chance love story that dreams are made of. She plans the perfect wedding. But what happens when a second chance at love is for everyone else except her? Natalee Sloan knows love inside and out—just not for herself. As a sought-after wedding expert and crisis-solver for high-powered couples, she’s built a career…
-
CHASING LUCKY BY JENN BENNETT // spoiler-free book review: need your next childhood friends to lovers YA romance? look no further
Nobody is more shocked than me that you’re seeing me again so soon? Might need to get my head checked? But hey, can I get some credit for trying here… Anyways, technically I read another of this author’s books before this one, but I have a ~VISION~ for the photo, so you’ll have to wait on her! Enjoy in the meantime <3<3<3 Title: Chasing Lucky Author: Jenn BennettPage count: 432Date published: 10 November 2020Genre: Young adult contemporary romance 📸 Synopsis: Sometimes to find the good, you have to embrace the bad. Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there. What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time…
-
AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH A.Y. CHAN // chatting to the author of The Legendary Mo Seto series about middle grade adventures & martial arts!! [ad]
When I tell you I have been excited for this post for literally a year, I do not kid and I am so excited to chat with this adorable author and her adorable series!!!! I’m too excited so let’s get right into it <3<3<3 Book #1: The Legendary Mo SetoBook #2: Martial Arts StarSeries: The Legendary Mo SetoAuthor: A.Y. ChanPage count: 320Date published: 4 June 2024 / 6 May 2025Genre: Middle grade 🥋 Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a Taekwondo champion. Even though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number one fan and biggest supporter. Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately. When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with anyone, no matter…
-
THE FAVOURITES BY LAYNE FARGO // spoiler-free book review: the angsty figure-skating romance of my dreams, you need to read it!
If you think about it, I’m only a few months late to this one! Look at the pub date, the book only *just* came out… she says as they drag her away. Cue the tears in this review,,, Title: The FavouritesAuthor: Layne FargoPage count: 464Date published: 16 January 2025Genre: Adult contemporary romance ⛸️ Synopsis: To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession. An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating, starring a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and roller-coaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end. As the ten-year anniversary of their final…
-
MAD ABOUT YOU BY MHAIRI MCFARLANE // spoiler-free book review: meet one of the best adult contemporaries i’ve ever read aka a delightfully british rom-com that has me in a chokehold
Please say hello to this absolute gem of a book that you should be ashamed you haven’t read yet. Yes I do have the right and power to say that about you all and you are not allowed to say it back *hides* AHHH I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH IT HURTS AND IM SHOVING IT DOWN ALL YOUR THROATS FOR ETERNITY!!!!! Onwards with the crying/yelling/screeching about this author *wink wink* Title: Mad About YouAuthor: Mhairi McFarlanePage count: 432Date published: 14 April 2022Genre: Adult contemporary fiction 🏡 Synopsis: Two reluctant housemates.Two broken promises.One crazy plan… Harriet Hatley may be one of the most in-demand wedding photographers in Leeds, but she hates the idea of marriage. Cal Clarke is used to the world falling in line with his plans – apart from his own love-life, which has gone hopelessly wrong. When they become unlikely housemates, it’s clear they’re both running away from something bigger. Can they take a crazy risk to face the past and change everything? 🏡 🏡 STAR RATING: (5 out of 5 stars) Trigger warnings for previous relationship emotional abuse — My heart is so full and I am jumping for joy and Mhairi McFarlane is…
-
DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME BY MHAIRI MCFARLANE // spoiler-free book review: looking for a new laugh-out-loud british comedy with a smidge of romance to read? look no further!!!
Ugh stop what you’re doing right now!!!! Because IM IN LOVE WITH MHAIRI MCFARLANE AND NEED YOU NEED TO BE TOO. I’m literally never shutting up about her books ever,,, Welcome to part one of screaming Ruby *wink wink* Title: Don’t You Forget About MeAuthor: Mhairi McFarlanePage count: 433Date published: 1 January 2019Genre: Adult contemporary fiction 💌 Synopsis: If there’s one thing worse than being fired from the grottiest restaurant in town, it’s coming home early to find your boyfriend in bed with someone else. Reeling from the indignity of a double dumping on the same day, Georgina snatches at the next job that she’s offered—barmaid in a newly opened pub, which just so happens to run by the boy she fell in love with at school: Lucas McCarthy. And whereas Georgina (voted Most Likely to Succeed in her school yearbook) has done nothing but dead-end jobs in the last twelve years, Lucas has not only grown into a broodingly handsome man, but also has turned into an actual grown-up along the way, with a business and a dog. Meeting Lucas again not only throws Georgina’s rackety present into sharp relief, but also brings a dark secret from her past…
-
THE WALL OF WINNIPEG AND ME BY MARIANA ZAPATA // spoiler-free book review: new cover alert for this perfect oh-so-slow-burn sports marriage of convenience romance
Ahhh this one has been a long time coming but so excited to finally talk about this book! The review has been sitting unwritten for absolutely far too long considering how much I think about this book. Enough rambling, just buckle up because I have a lot to say *wink wink* Title: The Wall of Winnipeg and MeAuthor: Mariana ZapataPage count: 608Date published: 28 February 2016Genre: Adult contemporary romance 🏈 Synopsis: Vanessa Mazur refuses to feel bad for quitting—she knows she’s doing the right thing. The thankless job of personal assistant to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans for her life, and none of them include washing extra-large underwear one more day for a man who could never find it in him to tell her good morning, congratulate her on a job well done, or wish her a happy birthday—even when she was spending it working for him. The legendary “Wall of Winnipeg” may be adored by thousands, but after two years Van has had enough. But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door begging her to come back, she’s beyond shocked. Mr. Walled-Off Emotions is actually…
