When a vampire slayer loses all his memories, the only person who can help him is the vampire he’s tried to kill for centuries in this unforgettable short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.
3/5 stars – Cute little novella that you can read in an couple hours. Could have been a full novel with more flashbacks and funny amnesia scenes. Overall a fun read when you need something short.
Ford Grant moves to the small town of Rose Hill to escape the spotlight and open a recording studio. But his plans are complicated when a twelve-year-old girl shows up claiming he’s her biological father. As Ford adjusts to unexpected fatherhood, he also has to resist his growing attraction to Rosie Belmont, his best friend’s younger sister. When he hires Rosie to work for him, their years of tension quickly turn into something neither of them can ignore.
2.5/5 stars – I absolutely loved Ford’s relationship with his daughter, Cora, and how her story unfolds, even if it isn’t the primary focus of the book. Cora and Rosie’s friendship was adorable. Everything about this part of the story was so sweet, and you genuinely root for everyone involved. I really enjoyed Rosie’s story of leaving her life in the city to start over back in Rose Hill. I just wish both of these storylines had gotten a little more attention because they felt overshadowed by everything else going on.
I lost some interest around the 40-50% point of the book. Ford’s feelings for Rosie move from sweet to sort of creepy territory. He kept her diary key around his neck for 10 years? Most diary keys are made from cheap materials, not like sterling silver or something so it felt like a forced plot point from the author. It’s just silly. I also didn’t find the emails between Rosie and Ford as charming. Like I get they have a long history together, but putting down some of what they said into company emails is wild.
Ford’s possessiveness also stopped being cute when he lashed out at Ryan, fired Scotty, and went on his whole drawn-out revenge against Stan. Don’t get me wrong, Stan deserved what he got, but buying multiple million-dollar buildings over it was just too much. All Rosie really wanted was for someone to validate her feelings and offer her some comfort, which Ford did, but then he takes everything way too far.
I did appreciate that they acknowledged he went too far, and I was happy with how everything was ultimately resolved. I just rolled my eyes when he offered her half the business and the dock in the next breath. Whatever at this point, lol. Can they just DATE??
I did really love how the book incorporated Rosie’s diary and tied everything happening in the present back to something that had happened between them in the past. Overall, this was a sweet story. I just wish they had leaned a little more into the Cora storyline, but I get that this is ultimately a romance between Ford and Rosie.
Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court–but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court…
3.5/5 stars – The only book I DNF’d this year was Alchemised by SenLinYu, and A Court of Mist and Fury honestly reminded me so much of it at the beginning. I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but both feel very depressing and have a somewhat similar theme with how Feyre and Rhys have both been controlled in the past. I almost gave up on ACOMAF for that reason. Similar to the first book in the series (ACOTAR), it thankfully took a turn and became more interesting plot-wise rather than simply depressing.
Following Feyre and Rhys as they heal together was quite beautiful. I love that he gives her space to make her own decisions and be her own person (which should just be the standard). He teaches her how to hone her powers, encourages her to read and write, and the way they communicate by writing mental letters is adorable. The whole mate thing was… a lot. Too much at times, honestly. I suppose SJM had to escalate their relationship to make the ending work?
The ending was quite unexpected, but I suppose it makes sense that we’d hear from Tamlin again soon. I do have some empathy for Tamlin and Lucien, and I’m not quite ready to jump on the full hate bandwagon. But Tamlin is not good for Feyre based on this book, and that ship has sailed. The battle in Velaris was pretty well done, though I am still surprised at how much of a warrior Feyre has become. Then the twist at the end was a great setup for the next book and pretty much ensures I HAVE to read it.
I chose to listen to the GraphicAudio version again and really enjoyed the full thematic experience. Hearing Rhysand’s wings flapping is such a treat and adds a little something extra lol.
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world, each week describing survival stories and finding humor in near-death experiences. The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy’s to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. Benny will stop at nothing to find her, even as the police zero in on him as a prime suspect.
2.5/5 stars – I am a bit conflicted on this one. I enjoyed the mystery and most of the set-up, but it was so slow! I didn’t particularly like the flashbacks, though I did like the method being primarily from Joy’s memoir. I mainly pushed through to get to the answer of Joy and her husband’s disappearance. It was… fine.
What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End. During a destination wedding in Sicily, 23-year-old Maya pursues a summer fling with her brother’s 38-year-old friend Conor, despite their problematic age gap.
2.5/5 stars – I wanted something light and fun that I could breeze through on a trip, and this definitely fit the bill! It was an entertaining read, even if it got a little frustrating at times. Pretty spicy, as with most Ali Hazelwood books, and also very easy to read.
It probably could have stayed a novella, as originally intended by the author, since the “will they or won’t they” aspect dragged on a bit. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of all the jumps back to the past, although they were definitely necessary to better understand Maya and Conor’s dynamic. Overall, it was a fun, bingeable romance that was exactly what I was in the mood for.
A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death—from the beloved author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals
5 stars – This may end up being my favorite read of 2026. It took me over 6 months to finally pick up my copy, but once I started, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and had to recount the story to my husband as it progressed because I had to share it with SOMEONE.
I grew to love this little dysfunctional family and everyone they met along the way. They all made mistakes and questionable choices, but their hearts were in the right place, and that’s what made them so easy to root for. Even with all the craziness, the story felt so real. The addition of Pancakes was the cherry on top – a bit of a magical-ish aspect without going too deep.
The grief was handled pretty well. I was constantly switching between laughing and crying. It’s present throughout the story without ever feeling overwhelming, though I can definitely see why it might hit a little too close to home for some.
By the end, it felt like I was saying goodbye to people I’d genuinely come to care about. This is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time and I’m begging someone to make it into a movie or mini-series. I need to see PJ & co. on my TV!
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
3.5/5 stars – I tried reading ACOTAR last year, both the book and audiobook, but ended up DNFing it shortly before Feyre was sent back home by Tamlin. I didn’t think I would give it another shot but I felt inspired after enjoying the House of Earth and Blood Graphic Audio. That ended up being the solution and I finished the story in a few days. In hindsight I realize the part I quit reading the first time was RIGHT before it got good.
I ended up enjoying it overall, but some of the character motivations were kind of ridiculous. Amarantha had the potential to be a great villain, but instead she’s bested by a 19 year old human because she’s obsessed with Tamlin? It just felt a little silly. I get why Rhysand did what he did, playing the game and hoping the odds sway in his favor.
Curious to see where the next book takes the story.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.
4/5 stars – I picked up The Bodyguard because of the casting for the upcoming Netflix movie, and I have to admit that added to my enjoyment. I could totally picture Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki as Hannah and Jack the entire time. This was such an easy, entertaining read that I ended up finishing it in one sitting. The premise is fun, the banter is genuinely funny, and the humor was easily my favorite part. I loved the goofy situations they found themselves in, and if anything, I wish the book had leaned into that even more.
The story isn’t particularly surprising and can be pretty predictable, but that didn’t take away from the experience. The pacing jumped forward at times without showing us what happened between the characters, but I still believed the progression of Hannah and Jack’s relationship. I also appreciated how they worked through their past traumas together, which gave their blossoming romance a bit more emotional depth. The ending didn’t work quite for me & dropped me from a 5 to a 4. Everything that happened at Thanksgiving with Jack’s ex felt over-the-top, and giving Wilber a highlight in the epilogue was annoying.
Overall, I had a great time reading The Bodyguard, and I’m excited to see what the movie keeps and changes.
Release Me is the first book in the highly addictive Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach series, a spin-off of the Wolf Hotel series. In “Release Me,” a facilities director at Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach pursues a forbidden romance with a woman determined to ruin the hotel.
2.5/5 stars – The first part is overly gratuitous, no real story and honestly felt like a waste of time. I liked Ryan but it was a little jarring how the book time hops 2 years in the future. The characters in this book make some questionable decisions that I can’t relate to. Not to mention the HR nightmare.
The second part is obviously the real story – following along as Ronan (with Connor in tow) travels to a new city and adapts to his new flashy Director role at the latest Wolf Hotel chain. I enjoyed learning about Sloane’s family and business, how passionate she is for her heritage, and the conflict she has with the hotel building directly next to her beach home that has been in her family for the generations.
I haven’t read the second book yet, but it feels like this didn’t need to be two separate books. Skip the first part, for sure.
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
3.5/5 stars – I was immediately hooked by Danika and Bryce’s story; excited to learn more about their friendship and see how their plans unfolded. Boy was I wrong about the direction of this book. I wish we could have spent a bit more time here honestly, before everything changed.
The concept of the book is very interesting and I loved the modern/urban fantasy setting. I went back and forth on the rating for this one – the beginning and end of the book was pretty solid. The middle was incredibly boring at times and it felt like nothing happened. 800 pages is crazy in hindsight.
I listened to the Graphic Audio version and really enjoyed it – especially near the end with the big fight scenes. Very cinematic. TBD if I will read House of Sky and Breath, but I think I will at least to see more of this world.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
I hated how the villain did the villain thing and explained their whole plan to Bryce. After all of that detective work, THIS is how it ends?
I was absolutely gutted when Bryce makes the drop with Danika’s help. This part was absolute chef’s kiss. And even Sabine quoting “Through love, all is possible” had me sobbing.
I’m at 23/30 books read. Honestly surprised it is that many because I’ve felt a little overwhelmed by it lately.
My monthly favs:
Up next: get myself back on track with Throne of Glass, but a little fatigued. Starting Empire of Storms next.
And I really really need to work through my physical TBR (and not buy anymore books – shoutout bookoutlet sale).
Checkout my profile on Goodreads for more: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/24303893-courtney-clark
Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals—the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic. Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only one: vengeance.
3.5/5 stars – Had a fun time listening to this audiobook, though definitely see the parallels to other fantasy books and this isn’t entirely a unique story (at this point is it that surprising given how many books are released each year?). I’m glad I chose the audiobook, though, because I feel like it made the story easier to digest and the narrators were perfect.
I’ve only ever read Alex Aster’s book Summer in the City and I do feel like her writing has improved here. With both books, the writing is more YA if you remove the more graphic bits from the spicy scenes. Some of the dialogue is still straight cringey.
The major complaint with any enemies to lovers plot is that there never is the “enemy” part but I felt like this one was handled decently and the progression of their relationship made sense to me. I loved how the book ended and really sets up for an exciting next book in the series. I’ll probably give it a listen.