Hidden Gem Romance of the Week: Silent Surrender
Silent Surrender by Netra Antoinette is a gripping romantic suspense that perfectly balances romance and suspense. With a vigilante heroine, complicated characters, dark secrets, and a romance filled with baggage, this hidden gem kept me turning the pages. I’m sharing my full review, rating, spice level, tropes, and everything you need to know before adding it to your TBR.
Book Review: In the Dark by Shain Rose
In the Dark by Shain Rose is a spicy, over-the-top mafia romance packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, marriage of convenience, obsession, and plenty of drama. I loved the chemistry and banter between Jas and Cal, but the predictable mystery kept this from being a 4+ star read for me.
I Read Julia Wolf’s Let’s Be Real & Can’t Stop Thinking About It
I went into Let’s Be Real expecting a cute fake-dating romance, but Julia Wolf completely surprised me with a story full of emotional depth, complex characters, incredible chemistry, and some seriously spicy scenes. This quickly became one of my favorite fake-dating romances I've ever read.
Nostalgic Book Review: The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss changed romance forever when it was published in 1972, helping establish the modern bodice ripper and transforming historical romance. But how does a book this influential hold up more than 50 years later? I’m breaking down the story, tropes, historical significance, problematic elements, and everything I loved (and didn’t love) about this controversial romance classic.
Nostalgic Book Review: Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Can a great heroine save a romance with a problematic hero? Dream a Little Dream wasn't one of my favorite Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, but I absolutely loved Rachael. Her journey from down-on-her-luck single mom to a woman slowly rebuilding her confidence was easily the best part of the book. I also loved the suspense and mystery, but Gabe and Rachael's romance was much harder for me to get on board with. It's one of those nostalgic romances where the “Does this hold up?” conversation is complex.
For the Record, I Hate You: The Second-Chance Romance That’s Criminally Underhyped
A hidden gem for second-chance romance lovers! For the Record, I Hate You by indie author Amanda Gambill is packed with angst, tension, banter, revenge, and all the unresolved feelings that make a second-chance romance impossible to put down. I gave this underhyped romance 4.5 stars—and I'm still wondering why more people aren't talking about it.