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READ VIA: advanced e-copy from Dell Romance ABOUT: Rosemary, the current reigning queen of Gothic horror, who happens to be able to see ghosts, travels back to the UK to supervise the filming of her book’s film adaptation. Unfortunately, the extremely attractive Hollywood hotshot , Ellis Finch, gets under her skin immediately. What she sees as an enemy might be the man she didn’t know she needed MY THOUGHTS: An age gap none of the characters are bothered by, prolific spice, a female horror author, and extremely atmospheric vibes make this a fun and cozy fall. The second in a series of interconnected standalones, El-Fassi’s writing felt comforting and perfect for a chilly fall day spent with a blanket, fireplace, and pretending you are holed up in the countryside. I really liked the way the age gap was handled here. Ellis fretted about it, Rosemary didn’t, and then they moved on. Loved that! Initially, I had a hard time believing the affinity between the two main characters, and then, suddenly, around 40% I connected to them and really enjoyed the second half. Fair warning: Given the ghosts, there are many references to death and grief (both pets and humans). Finally, I really enjoyed the spice in this book. There are some really well-crafted power exchanges, and the scenes are well placed throughout the book. El-Fassi does not hold back, and it made the book all the more fun! SIMILAR BOOKS: If you enjoyed the author’s first book, The Best Hex Ever, this one will also be a hit! There is a lot of spice, a bit of swoon, and plenty of spooky season elements. SHOULD YOU READ I recommend this for those looking for a fun, steamy book with lots of spooky (but not scary) themes.

A sensational second chance romance, emotional yet funny, with a spellbinding romance that keeps the reader engaged from the first page. From the moment we meet Wren and Ellis, it is clear that these two are still madly, deeply in love. Yet DeWitt makes the reader endure so much YEARNING through expository exchanges and then a road trip. The dual narration is simply stunning. Both narrators convey an emotional, heartfelt performance with a vocal range that only enhances DeWitt’s incredible pros. Conner and Megan have incredibly warm, rich voices that capture the listener. They breathed life into these characters, leaving me weeping as I experienced this love story. From the emotional confessions to the sensual moments, both narrators blew me away. I always tend to favor second-chance romances, but I cannot tell you how much I loved the way Tarah set this one up. The character growth is perfection, with characters who not only fight for each other but also fight to make themselves better for their partner. I loved how they communicated and how the (hot) spice was incorporated in a way that felt like a natural progression. Additionally, I really enjoyed the uneven changes in POV, which I think enriched the reader’s experience. Tarah’s writing brings you into a full sweep of emotions: joy, sorrow, adoration, hope, and forgiveness. At the core, this story is about trusting your heart, growing up with your person, and the push and pull of life that threatens to tear that love apart. Wren and Ellis captured me, and I could not stop listening to their beautiful story. Hands-down, it is one of my favorite romances ever and definitely a top read of the year.

READ VIA: Thank you, Forever, for the e-arc and Hachette Audio for the advanced audio. I mostly read this immersively. ABOUT: Alexandra Atkinson has never had time for men. She is running her father‘s business and cannot be bothered with the minute details of polite society. However, when LucienTaylor returns to town, she decides to seize an opportunity to have the relationship that society repeatedly tells her she lacks. Lucien, who recently left Paris after a failed business experience, is immediately taken by Alex, with whom he had never shared such a childhood but had never taken a true interest in. MY THOUGHTS: This was just a fun, spicy historical romance. I really enjoyed Emily‘s previous book, and this book about the second Atkinson sister was in the same vein with humor, a little bit of intrigue, and a slowish burn that resulted in some fun spice. While overall lighthearted, I appreciated that the characters felt mature and that through the dull point of view, I was able to see both of their intentions. There is something to be said for just having a good time reading a book, and that’s exactly what this was. AUDIO: I really enjoyed Victoria Aston’s performance here. It was a single narration of a dual point of view, and I felt the narrator did an excellent job of helping the listener distinguish between Lucien and Alex’s points of view. There’s something about a British narrator for a history that I adore, and this felt the bill perfectly. SIMILAR BOOKS: I think if you’re a fan of Julia Quinn (and children who are not quite following the status quo) or Emily’s other books, you’ll particularly enjoy this book, with the references to society, a little bit of scandal, and a woman who lives slightly away from expectations. SHOULD YOU READ Definitely recommend this to readers who can appreciate historical romance, especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series. While this could be read as a standalone, I think you would appreciate it more if read in order.