Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne

Title: Ink & Sigil
Author: Kevin Hearne
Publisher: Del Rey
Pub date: August 2020
Series: Ink & Sigil, book 1
Genre: Urban fantasy

Amazon | Indiebound

As a fan of Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles, I was pleased to see that he was starting a new series set in the same world. This series focuses on a Scottish sigil master, Al MacBharrais.

Al uses special inks to create sigils to enforce contracts with various deities visiting our plane. His sigils can also be used to do things like make the holder invisible. Important when Al discovers that what he first thought was the accidental death of his apprentice (choking on a raisin) is actually part of a curse.

Al also discovers that his apprentice was trafficking in fae – luring them here to this plane, then selling them.

Now it’s up to Al to figure out who was being the trafficked fae and why.

Since the dialogue is mostly Scottish dialect, I needed and appreciated the pronunciation guide.

My thoughts

Ink & Sigil is more of the author’s humorous urban fantasy. Instead of an Irish wolfhound obsessed with sausages and poodles, Al has a hobgoblin named Buck Foi with a love for pranks.

I enjoyed the book and was even glad to see a cameo with Atticus, but I didn’t immediately feel charmed by the book the way I was by the Iron Druid Chronicles.

It was still an enjoyable read and I hope there are more books in the series to come.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

Your thoughts

Have you read The Iron Druid Chronicles or Ink & Sigil? What did you think? Tell me in the comments below.

Other books

If you want to see where the story starts, read the first book of The Iron Druid Chronicles, Hounded.

For another humor-tinged urban fantasy try Benedict Jacka’s Alex Versus series, starting with Fated.

About the author

Kevin hugs the heck out of trees and loves doggies and pretending that he knows stuff about hockey. He is also fond of comic books, tacos, fresh air, clean energy, fountain pens, and friendly people.

No Offense by Meg Cabot

Title: No Offense
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: William Morrow
Pub date: August 2020
Series: Little Bridge Island, book 2
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

What a charming, light romance by the author of The Princess Diaries, set on Little Bridge,  a small island in the Florida Keys.

Molly is the new children’s librarian. She took the job to escape a broken engagement back in Colorado. During a story time, Molly discovers an abandoned newborn which leads to her meeting the town’s gorgeous sheriff.

John, Little Bridge’s straight edge sheriff, finds himself drawn to Molly despite her messy desk and desire to help him solve the case.

John’s teenage daughter, Katie and Mrs. Tifton, an elderly benefactor of local charities, add in some charmingly goofy and lighthearted moments.

Add to GoodReads

Other books

If you enjoyed No Offense, read the first book in the series, No Judgment. For another charming romance, try Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

My thoughts

Meg Cabot did her research about what it’s like to work in a library. Although I’m glad that I’ve never discovered an abandoned baby. Or had a story time dad with bourbon in his coffee.

Perfect gentle read or beach read.

Share your thoughts

Tell me what you thought about No Offense in the comments below.

About the author

Her 80+ books for both adults and tweens/teens have included multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers, selling over twenty-five million copies worldwide.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for the DRC.

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Title: One to Watch
Author: Kate Stayman-London
Publisher: Random House Pub. Group
Pub date: July 2020
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

Bea, a plus-size fashion blogger decides to go on a romance reality show (think Bachelorette) with 25 guys in a show of body positivity and diversity, boost her career, and just maybe find true love.

So much to love about this book! As a plus-size woman, I lived a lot of those insecure, uncomfortable, soul-crushing moments that happened to Bea. As a fashion follower, I enjoyed the shoutouts to designers like Christian Siriano who design for all sizes.

As a woman involved with the online world, a lot of the social media transcripts felt real – comments of thanks and praise for being a role model followed by ugly trolling and threats of harm.

 I appreciate that Bea’s pursuit of happiness wasn’t tied to losing weight because guess what? Fat chicks can and are happy too! While not a Bachelor/Bachelorette watcher, I certainly watch my share of reality tv and this story felt like it hit all of those beats.

This was fast-paced, authentic feeling and heart-warming. Definitely recommended!

Other books

Looking for other contemporary romances with diversity and some heat? Try The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon. Read my review.

Or read The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory.

Share your thoughts

Tell me what you thought about One to Watch in the comments below.

About the author

This is Kate Stayman-London’s debut novel. She’s also a screenwriter and political strategist.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the DRC.

Crushing It by Lorelei Parker

Title: Crushing It
Author: Lorelei Parker
Publisher: Kensington
Pub date: June 2020
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

Sierra is desperate to pitch her video game at an international gaming con. The roadblock? Thanks to a humiliating experience in college, she’s terrified of public speaking. Her bestie and co-owner of the company, Aida suggests that Sierra enter a contest at a local bar. Contestants share embarrassing stories about themselves. Great idea!

Sierra shares the perfect story from a college journal about her unrequited crush.on classmate Tristan. Making it through her turn onstage without anything humiliating her other than the story has Sierra feeling great. Until the next contestant takes the stage. And it’s Tristan. Oof.

Tristan is flattered by Sierra’s admission. Will she get the chance to live out her fantasy of being with Tristan? But what about bar owner Alfie, another former classmate, who had a crush on Sierra. And still seems to have feelings for her.

My thoughts

This debut book is a charming, relatable romcom with a nerdy heroine. It’s the perfect bit of light, sexy reading to soothe your soul.

Other books

If you’re looking for other contemporary, sexy, nerd girl romance, try The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon. I reviewed it recently.

Or the Modern Love series by Alisha Rai. The Right Swipe is the first book in the series. I reviewed Girl Gone Viral, the second book in the series.

Share your thoughts?

What do you think about Lorelei Parker’s Crushing It? Tell me in the comments below.

About the author

Crushing It is Lorelei Parker’s first book. She works as a computer programmer. When she isn’t working or writing, you can find her playing video games.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the DRC. 

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Pub date: May 2019
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

Red, White & Royal Blue isn’t a new book but it was a favorite read from earlier this year. So if you enjoy romances, you’ve got to try it.

This book showed up on SO many best of lists in 2019 that I couldn’t NOT read it. Plus who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers romcom with royalty? This is a delightfully binge-worthy book that I devoured in one sitting!

Alex is the handsome, clever son of the first woman president so he always has to be at his charming best. Constantly on the media’s radar, Alex is usually marketing gold for his mom. Until his private dislike of Britain’s Prince Henry turns into a public brawl that ends up with punches thrown and a destroyed wedding cake. All captured and shared for the world to see.

Now in an effort to fix the PR nightmare, the White House and Buckingham Palace media teams have hatched a plan. Alex and Prince Henry are going to show the world that they’re not brawling enemies but actually besties.

Neither is pleased with the idea but both understand their duty to family and country so Alex and Prince Henry agree to a series of outings and photo ops.

This leads to them both questioning why were they arguing in the first place. But what happens when the new friendship blossoms into more? Is the world ready for a romance between the First Son and a British prince? What about Alex’s mom’s re-election campaign? What about the expectations of the monarchy?

My thoughts

This was such a fun book! I never considered myself much of a royal watcher but Red, White & Royal Blue gave me a bit of insight as to how people can become invested in royals and their romances. I want to live in this reality. Woman president? LGBTQ acceptance? Yes, please!

Share your thoughts

Tell me what you thought of Casey MQuiston’s royal romcom in the comment box below.

About the author

This is Casey McQuiston’s debut novel. She currently doesn’t have plans for a sequel although she is working on a new book due out in 2021. Red, White & Royal Blue has been optioned for film by Berlanti Productions and Amazon Studios

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

Title: The Marriage Game
Author: Sara Desai
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Pub date: June 2020
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

Sara Desai’s The Marriage Game is a fabulous diverse, sexy romcom full of sweet and sexy banter, drool-worthy food descriptions, quirky family members, and fun Bollywood references.

Layla is moving home after a disastrous breakup and subsequent firing. Her dad has said she can use the office above the family’s Indian restaurant for her new recruitment business. Unfortunately for her, her father has already rented the office.

Falling ill, her father hasn’t had the chance to talk to Sam, the serious, corporate hatchet man who’s already signed the lease. The two can’t agree who gets the office space so they engage in a wager.

Layla will go on ten dates with men her father chose as potential husbands for her. If she accepts one of the proposed arranged marriages, Sam gets the office. If she doesn’t agree to a marriage, she keeps the office.

What happens when Sam is the one Layla wants to date?

My thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed this steamy enemies to lovers romance. Fun banter between the leads, quirky supporting characters. Perfect book to relax with.

Share your thoughts

Tell me what you think about The Marriage Game in the comment box below.

Other books

The Boyfriend Project by Farah Rochon and The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai both have a similar strong woman, contemporary, diverse feel.

About the author

Sara Desai has been a lawyer, radio DJ, marathon runner, historian, bouncer and librarian. The Marriage Game is her first novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the DRC.

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

Title: The Boyfriend Project
Author: Farah Rochon
Publisher: Forever
Pub date: June 2020
Series: The Boyfriend Project, book 1
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

Thanks to social media, three women discover they’ve been dating the same lowlife guy. While one woman is livetweeting her terrible date with him, the other two go to confront him and his cheating ways. Strangers capture the shero moment and the video goes viral. And the women trade the cheating guy for a new friendship.

The three agree to swear off men for at least six months. They decide to focus on themselves, their careers and their budding friendship.

That’s right when Samiah, a super-smart tech whiz, notices how gorgeous Daniel, her new coworker, is. She’s drawn to him but what about the pact? Even if she breaks the pact, does she have time for a new relationship, her intense career and the new app she’s creating as a side project? Daniel seems too good to be true – is he?

My thoughts

I appreciated that Rochon didn’t focus solely on the romance. Watching three strong and smart women support and encourage each other was fantastic and I’m here for it! So glad that her friends, Taylor and London will have their own books in the future.

This is the first book by Farrah Rochon that I’ve read but it certainly won’t be the last! It was fast-paced, sparkling and hot – the perfect combination.

Other books

If you’re looking for a contemporary romance, with strong women, humor and diverse characters, try The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai. I reviewed Girl Gone Viral, the second book in the series recently.

Or give Get a Life, Chloe Brown a go.

Share your thoughts

Tell me what you think of The Boyfriend Project in the comments below.

About the author

Farrah is a two-time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award and has been a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award nominee. In 2015, Farrah won the Emma Award for Author of the Year.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishers for the DRC.

Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai

Title: Girl Gone Viral
Author: Alisha Rai
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pub date: April 2020
Series: Modern Love, book 2
Genre: Romance

Amazon | Indiebound

I’m always excited to read a new book by Alisha Rai! Her books give me more than a couple falling in love and finding their HEA/HFN. Not that there’s anything wrong with the traditional HEA romance storyline but sometimes I want something a bit more and I know one of her books is going to deliver.

Emotional depth

Whether it’s past trauma or current emotional, mental, or physical health issues, she writes complex characters who face their fears and help each other find solutions to start the healing process. Alisha’s stories also show more than the love between the main characters. She shows us the love they share with their friends and families – biological or found. Demonstrating how important emotional support systems are for both men and women.

But if you haven’t read one of her books, don’t think that they’re all serious and dark! There are plenty of sexy times and the witty banters.

Review

In this second book in the Modern Love series (you should, but don’t have to, read the first book first), wealthy and reclusive former model Katrina has a huge crush on her bodyguard. Jas, former military, suffers from untreated PTSD and unresolved family issues. Katrina suffers from panic attacks and the emotional damage from an abusive father.

Katrina is learning to deal with the fears that keep her in her home. A visit to a coffee shop after her therapy session leads to a chance encounter with a stranger. What she thought was just a casual conversation gets documented as a meet cute by another customer.

The woman’s social media posts go viral. Katrina’s fears over identity and location spiral as the story keeps growing, especially when the stranger starts giving interviews telling people they’re in a relationship.

Jas has to grapple with his own demons and learn to let not just Katrina but family and friends into his heart so he can find peace and happiness.

Their relationship is a slow, slow burn and I was totally there for it. I enjoyed that the romantic and sexual pace in this book was the opposite of The Right Swipe.

If you’re a fan of The Right Swipe (first book in the series), Rhi and Samson show up in this book along with some of the other quirky, adorable characters. I’d like to be the fierce Lakshmi when I grow up!

Other books

If you enjoy contemporary romances, don’t miss the first book in Alisha Rai’s Modern Love series – The Right Swipe.

Other modern romances with diverse characters and spicy romances are The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory and Not the Girl You Marry by Andie Christopher.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the DRC.