I didn’t do as well with the SnowInLoveBingo but I had a great time, so of course I’m going to try to participate in this one. It’s running from March 1st – May 31st. You can find out more on FireWhiskeyReader’s blog. My Twitter thread for this is here.
Map/Diagram
In the Quick – Kate Hope Day
OK, so not really a romance – it’s a retelling of Jane Eyre… IN SPACE – but the heroine is a mechanical genius who’s obsessed with fixing a flaw in her uncle’s fuel cell design. (Finished May 18)
Secrets
Perfect on Paper – Sophie Gonzales
The heroine is an absolute bi disaster who’s keeping secrets from her entire school and, most importantly, her best friend and secret crush. I LOVED this book! (Finished March 7)
Spring Cleaning
Twice Shy – Sarah Hogle
The entire plot revolves around Maybell inheriting her aunt’s house with Wesley, and having to work together to clean it out. I absolutely adored this book – a new auto-buy author! (Finished April 6)
Set in Continental Europe
Sweet Filthy Boy – Christina Lauren
I’ve seen a lot about how less steamy this duo’s newer books are & finally I get it. Sure, it’s a lot of Mia exploring Paris but also lots of sex with her hot French hubby. (Finished May 21)
Makes You Laugh
Paladin’s Strength – T. Kingfisher
My emotions reading this book can only be described by a series of smiley faces. Excellent fantasy world building, excellent romance, excellent humor, excellent book. The acorn story will be with me for a long time. (Finished March 21)
Pact
Learned Reactions – Jayce Ellis
Carlton and Deion pretend to be a couple so that Carlton can adopt his niece, which is cool, except Deion’s had a crush on him for 20 years. Deion is seriously the sweetest and so relatable! (Finished March 11)
Out of Comfort Zone
One Thing Leads to a Lover – Susanna Craig
Amanda’s spent her whole life caged by convention, and the chance to help Langley retrieve a lost codebook is just the sort of adventure she’s dreamed of – and maybe love. (Finished March 31)
Black Love
Learned Behaviors – Jayce Ellis
Two Black dads getting back into having romantic lives after their kids go off to college, plus enemies-to-lovers workplace romance goodness. (Read March 10)
MC Has Unusual Scent
Anchored Hearts – Priscilla Oliveras
Sometimes good things take a while to cook, like this super slow burn romance between Anamaría and Alejandro. Complicated but loving family relationships, delicious food, so good! (Read April 26)
Sophomore Novel
Method Acting – Adele Buck
The second in the Center Stage series, this one follows a STEM lobbyist and an actress in DC. Alicia’s a prickly hedgehog, but what really worked for me was how well she and Colin communicated. (Read April 15)
Clinch Cover
Renovation of Love – Meka James
A second chance romance with a couple in their 40s! Cynthia’s renovating her aunt’s house to open a B&B, and Marcel – her HS BF – is the best man for the job. And maybe some other jobs.. (Finished March 16)
Social Media Rec
For the Wolf – Hannah Whitten
Basically my whole timeline has been losing their minds over this book since the blurb was announced. And yeah, considering one of my favorite books is Uprooted, this def worked for me. (Finished May 23)
HEA
Hang the Moon – Alexandria Bellefleur
Swoony, sweet and utterly hilarious, it’s grumpy/sunshine plus a vicarious tour of Seattle. (Finished May 11)
Term of Endearment
Perfect Matcha – Erin McLellan
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, and this one is a delightful friends-to-lovers romp. This moment – where Camden calls Theo “hon” – is a turning point in their relationship. (Finished March 26)
Favorite Trope
Neon Gods – Katee Robert
One of my (many) favorite tropes is retellings, and this kinky retelling of Hades/Persephone is *chef’s kiss.* Come for the exhibitionism, stay for the puppies (and Hades’ immaculate flooring). (Finished May 19)
Competition or Reality TV
Sugar Butter Flour Love – Nicole Falls
It’s enemies to lovers PLUS a baking competition! It is a holiday competition, though, so be prepared to crave large amounts of gingerbread, mmm. (Finished May 15)
Growl
Puppucino – Allison Temple
A cute and short book about a dude with a mischievous dog falling in love with the dog trainer who tries to help out. There’s lots of growling doggies, mostly in play! (Finished March 18)
Flowers
You Deserve Each Other – Sarah Hogle
Whether it’s poisonous oleander (JSYK, it’s toxic when burned), jasmine or myrtle, there’s a lot of flowers in this book, a unique take on a second chance romance. (Finished April 5)
Spring Break: Vacation
Cool for the Summer – Dahlia Adler
Lara’s finally got the guy… but she can’t stop thinking about the girl from the summer. YA bi summer lovin’ love triangle (kinda). And now the song’s stuck in your head, too! (Read May 6)
Queer Historical
The Companion – E.E. Ottoman
This book is just gorgeous, from the cover to the super cozy, accepting vibe. It’s three trans folks finding love and comfort in rural NY and it’s just so relaxing. (Read April 14)
Big City Romance
Summer in the City anthology
Not 1, not 2, but 3! romances set during a blackout in NYC. From an art benefit to a Broadway premiere to a magic show, three friends find love in the city. (Finished May 10)
PNR/SFF Romance by AOC
The Friend Contract – Dria Andersen
It’s a BFFs-to-lovers, fake relationship & fated mates PNR between a artistic panther and a grumpy bear, of course I like it. Pretty fluffy, as well! (Read April 2)
Folklore
Love in Color – Bolu Babalola
Do you like romance? Do you like fairy tale retellings? Go read this book. An excellent anthology of non-Western tales retold for today: strong women who are truly seen by the ones who love them. (Read April 12)
Mental Health Rep
Counting Down with You – Tashie Bhuiyan
Karina has pretty major anxiety (thanks to a lot of parental pressure), but she’s figuring out ways to handle it, from counting to aromatherapy. The anxiety rep was A+ for me. (Read May 1)
Forearms
The Unbroken – C. L. Clark
Hello, just LOOK at that cover. (Finished March 22)