Mazey Eddings is a neu rodiverse author, dentist, and (most importantly) stage mom to her cats, Yaya and Zadie. She can most often be found reading romance novels under her weighted blanket and asking her boyfriend to bring her snacks. She’s made it her personal mission in life to destigmatize mental health issues and write love stories for every brain. With roots in Ohio and North Carolina, she now calls Philadelphia home.
Ne'er Duke Well (2024) Alexandra Vasti "If it were socially acceptable for blurbs to be in all caps, I'd do it for Ne'er Duke Well and Alexandra Vasti. In fact, all caps doesn't seem strong enough to convey how much I loved this book. Vasti has quickly made her way to my list of top historical romance authors with the kind of writing that makes me scream and kick my feet in public places. Outrageously hot, tender, and brimming with wit, Vasti has secured herself as an auto-buy author in my book, one that I will stay up way too late reading and be glad for the lack of sleep come morning. This opposites attract historical romance brims with delicious restraint required of our lead characters in a society they end up defying that ends up exploding in exceptionally steamy moments. Vasti's story-telling is this season's incomparable, a title she'll hold for years to come with the care and craft she deftly applies to her incredible novels."
A Love Like the Sun (2024) Riss M Neilson "A Love Like the Sun filled me with warmth and shined as brightly as the star itself. A truly remarkable, achingly tender, and deliciously sexy romance that will stick with me for years to come. This childhood friends to lovers novel brims with the giddiness of a first love and the enduring glow of true love. Neilson's adult debut is a romantically powerful force to be reckoned with, and I loved every page."
Right on Cue (2024) Falon Ballard "Falon Ballard is the queen of sharp-wit and swoony romances. With delicious, intricately crafted love stories, and dynamic, wonderfully flawed characters, I will devour everything she writes and beg for more."
Sweeten the Deal (2023) Katie Shepard "Devastatingly tender and utterly sexy, Sweeten the Deal is a refreshingly unique romance about two flawed people finding love in the most unlikely of circumstances. Shepard plays with classic tropes in the new way that brings freshness and excitement to a stunning love story that had me turning the pages way past my bedtime to see what would happen next."
The Name Drop (2023) Susan Lee "It's official, I'll read anything Susan Lee writes, knowing from the first page that it will be a five-star read. The Name Drop is everything I love about YA: fast-paced, voicey, swoony, with beautiful threads of not only romance but also social commentary of bigger issues facing young people today. Lee delivers a completely unique story about two teenagers finding who they are, together and apart, and I couldn't help but root for them every step of the way."
Fly with Me (2023) Andie Burke "Fly with Me is a hug in book form. Opposites-attract goodness, top-tier banter, and delightful tenderness all combine to make Andie Burke's debut an instant favorite. I fell head-over-heels for Olive and Stella from the first page, and this hilarious yet beautiful story of love, grief, bravery, and acceptance was unrelentingly delightful. A celebration of queer love and joy from start to finish."
You, with a View (2023) Jessica Joyce "Jessica Joyce wields razor-sharp prose with emotional poignancy and the perfect dose of unbelievable romantic tension with spice to create an instant classic in the romance genre. I'll read anything she writes."
Will They or Won't They (2023) Ava Wilder "Endearing, evocative, and brimming with sexiness, this story will stay with readers long past the final page. Ava Wilder is an author that can't be missed."
Play for Me (2023) Libby Hubscher "Outrageously charming and brimming with feisty, lovably flawed characters, Play for Me is as hilarious as it is tender and will stick with you long after the last page. Libby Hubscher is a master of portraying the messy beauty of emotions and love, every word chosen with care and gentleness. I'll read anything she writes."
The Gay Best Friend (2023) Nicolas DiDomizio "Absurdly charming and outrageously irreverent, The Gay Best Friend is a goddamn delight from start to finish. Brimming with cheeky wit, breathtaking tenderness, and just enough chaotic messiness to have me screaming every other page, the term "beach read" was invented for a book like this. Nicolas DiDomizio is one of the funniest authors in the game, and I'll read anything he writes."
For Twice In My Life (2023) Annette Christie "A stunning and hilarious novel that captures the beautiful messiness of finding yourself and love along the way. Annette Christie will make you laugh one sentence then tug at your heartstrings the next with her incredible ability to tell a story. This novel is for anyone that wished for a second-chance, but got something even better in the end."
Two Wrongs Make a Right (2022) (Wilmot Sisters, book 1) Chloe Liese "Reading a Chloe Liese novel is like taking a masterclass in rom-coms--every book is tender, sexy, and hilarious. With a delicious slow-burn, and divine payoff, Two Wrongs Make A Right became an instant favorite, and a story I'll cherish for years to come. Liese's autistic rep makes me feel so seen, and she's a pioneer in neurodiverse love stories. Words can't do justice to the impact her books have."
Kiss Her Once for Me (2022) Alison Cochrun "Dizzyingly adorable and brimming with laugh-out loud humor, Kiss Her Once for Me is the new rom-com gold standard. Alison Cochrun writes with palpable compassion, tenderness, and heart that makes every page a memorable one. I swooned, squealed, and shrieked my way through this absolute masterpiece."
The Decoy Girlfriend (2022) Lillie Vale "The Decoy Girlfriend mixes razor sharp wit with achingly tender romance to create a fake-dating rom-com you won't soon forget. Vale is a master of snark and sweet, and I'll read anything she writes."
Bend Toward the Sun (2022) Jen Devon "Intoxicatingly sensual and undeniably sexy, Bend Toward the Sun stole my heart from page one and never let go. With tender explorations of passion, mental health, and belonging, this book has a permanent place in my heart and on my bookshelf."
Thank You, Next (2022) Andie J Christopher "A wild and delightful ride from start to finish. Christopher delivers a stern, grunting hero, wildly sexy chemistry, and an alpha heroine that owns every page."
