Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author--alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).
Bull Moon Rising (2024) (Royal Artifactual Guild, book 1) Ruby Dixon "Ruby Dixon can do it all: she builds a stunning world, creates compelling, lovable characters, and then hits me with the minotaur smut I always knew I wanted. I came for the monster sex, but what really drew me in is a beautifully poignant story of found family, in which two outcasts team up to take on a broken system and fall in love in the process. (I mean, the monster smut drew me in, too...) This better be the first in a whole series, because I am OBSESSED with everyone. Bull Moon Rising is simply glorious, and Ruby Dixon and The Sacred Knot have my whole heart!"
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year (2024) Ally Carter "Ally Carter wrote a unique, delightful, hilarious, unputdownable romance! I didn't know I needed an adventure romcom about grumpy/sunshine spies with amazing chemistry and a dash of amnesia, but it was exactly what was missing in my life. I'm wonderstruck by The Blonde Identity! (Also, this book needs to be a movie!)"
It Had to Be You (2024) Eliza Jane Brazier "If you're the kind of reader who enjoys unique romance novels with an edge, a whole lot of unpredictable twists, and the idea of a seasoned assassins traveling across Europe and falling for the person they're supposed to kill, this is the book for you! A humorously dark, upsettingly sexy, unique love story about the horrors and delights of being seen as who we really are--with lots of swords and plenty of smut!"
The Paradise Problem (2024) Christina Lauren "THE PARADISE PROBLEM is Christina Lauren at their very best - which also happens to be very best of the romance genre! The steam sizzles, the setting dazzles, the humor sparkles, and the characters give us no choice but fall head over heels for them. Another masterpiece from the queens of romance!"
A Tempest of Tea (2024) (Blood and Tea, book 1) Hafsah Faizal "A Tempest of Tea is a masterpiece, filled with phenomenal prose, impeccable world building, and a mesmerizing found-family cast embarking on the heist of their lives! Hafsah Faizal has written the kind of book you can't stop thinking about-and you won't be able to wait for the sequel!"
Sex, Lies and Sensibility (2024) Nikki Payne "Sex, Lies and Sensibilities is the second time that Nikki absolutely amazes me. Her ability to take in Jane Austen's works, to adapt them for contemporary sensibilities, and - I know, bold statement - to improve on them by doing justice by characters that Jane did dirty is unparalleled. I will read whatever she writes, whenever she writes it, and I will not rest until the entire world is made aware of the absolute magic of a Nikki Payne book. No one writes like her, and I truly feel so blessed that we are contemporaries and I get to enjoy the products of her marvelous mind!"
Once Upon a Leap Year (2024) Anna Bell "I LOVED this book. A beautiful, poignant story, full of beautiful, poignant characters... at the end all the pieces fall perfectly into place, and the picture that they form is at once touching, funny, breathtaking, hopeful, and dreamy."
The Breakup Tour (2024) Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley "If The Breakup Tour was a song, it would be 'Long Live' by Taylor Swift. It's deliciously zeitgeisty and so! much! fun! The Breakup Tour is at once sweet and angsty, full of music and second chances and talented people who make magic when they allow themselves to create art together. The perfect read for everyone who wants to relive the spectacular summer of The Eras Tour!"
Technically Yours (2023) Denise Williams "If, hypothetically, Denise Williams decided to establish an academy (let's call it The University of DW) and offered courses on how to write pent-up sexual tension, steamy banter, and enemies to lovers, I would burst into the classroom and yell 'TAKE MY MONEY!!' The writing is unmatched, the chemistry is on fire, and Do You Take This Man has one of the steamiest, most addictive, most satisfyingly hard-earned happily-ever-after I've read in ages!"
Raiders of the Lost Heart (2023) Jo Segura "A thrilling, page-turning story that will take readers for a wild ride. Raiders of the Lost Heart is as unique as it is compelling - a dash of academic rivals, a pinch of second chance romance, a sprinkle of intrigue, a most badass female lead, and a whole lot of archeological shenanigans in a beautiful Mexican setting! Jo Segura delivered the ultimate enemies-to-lovers adventure romcom!"
Woke Up Like This (2023) Amy Lea "Woke Up Like This is witty, earnest, charming, and intensely seventeen. It perfectly captures the highs and lows of being on the brink of big life changes and the thrill of first love (and first hate)."
Sweeten the Deal (2023) Katie Shepard "Katie Shepard's writing is the perfect mix of gut-punching emotion, wit, vulnerability, and smut! Her sophomore effort is a delightfully sexy twist on the Sugar Daddy trope, perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient and opposites attract books. A delicious, satisfying treat!"
The Hurricane Wars (2023) (Hurricane Wars, book 1) Thea Guanzon "I've been a die-hard, adoring fan of Thea Guanzon for years, and I thought I knew what she was capable of, but this book. This book. I am utterly enchanted by the lushness of her prose, the uniqueness of the setting, the spellbinding story she has gifted us with. I physically could not stop reading! Thea Guanzon's talent is limitless, and she is the kind of writer that comes around once in a generation. Mark my words: lives will be changed by The Hurricane Wars trilogy."
This Spells Disaster (2023) Tori Anne Martin "This Spell Disaster is the queer witchy romcom of my heart! I loved the small town setting, the magic system, the feel-good humor of the story, but above all I loved Rory and Morgan's transition from friends into lovers, and the way they constantly made each better! Teen Witch meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in this delightfully heartwarming, enchanted romance."
The Name Drop (2023) Susan Lee "I adore a good opposites attract story, even more when said opposites are in cahoots! Susan Lee crash landed on all my 'must read, ' 'forever favorite, ' 'autobuy' author lists with her debut, Seoulmates, and somehow still managed to write an even more spectacular sophomore effort! No one writes characters on the verge of becoming their real and best selves like she does, no has me gasping and laughing at the comedy in her stories, and no one makes me swoon quite this much. Quite simply, Susan Lee always writes the exact book I want to read!"
You, Again (2023) Kate Goldbeck "Fresh, witty, and utterly romantic, this is the deliciously offbeat modern reimagining of When Harry Met SallyI never knew I needed. Kate Goldbeck is an absolute star!"
You, with a View (2023) Jessica Joyce "Jessica Joyce has gifted all of us with an electrifying debut, and the perfect summer read! If you love your flirting paired with a healthy dose of roasting, rivals turned lovers, road trips that become journeys of self discovery, hilarious but sexy banter, and steamy love stories, this is the beach read you want to pick up! A million out of five stars!"
Kismat Connection (2023) Ananya Devarajan "Kismat Connection is a joyful tale about the journeys we take to find romantic love, build our friendships, and celebrate our communities. A warm, feel good read, and a stunning debut."
Yours Truly (2023) (Part of Your World, book 2) Abby Jimenez "Abby Jimenez's words...sprinkle humor and warmth all over my life."
The Plus One (2023) Mazey Eddings "Mazey Eddings's writing is authentic, emotional, and intensely romantic! To me, it's like a Taylor Swift song in book form."
Happy Place (2023) Emily Henry "I've loved every single one of her books more than the previous, to the point that I cannot wait to see what her next title will do to me!"
The Do-Over (2023) Suzanne Park "A fantastic, empowering second chance romance that combines wit and charm with an always insightful commentary on imposter syndrome, anxiety, and the challenge of finding ourselves. Suzanne Park wrote a true gem!"
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon (2023) (Glimmer Falls, book 1) Sarah Hawley "Whimsically sexy, charmingly romantic, and magically hilarious. This book put a spell on me and bewitched me, body and soul!"
The Foxglove King (2023) (Nightshade Crown, book 1) Hannah Whitten "The Foxglove King is beautifully written, lushly cinematic, unsettlingly mysterious--an unputdownable story of humans and gods. Hannah Whitten has built a world that is as dark as it is fascinating, romantic and disturbing. If you like found families, courtly intrigue, high-stake secrets, hot priests, powerful characters who are on a journey to accepting themselves and learning to wield their powers, and a dash (okay, more than that) of necromancy, The Foxglove King will be the book of your dreams--and your nightmares."
Georgie, All Along (2023) Kate Clayborn "Magnetic, witty, and expansive. The world is going to fall hard for this deliciously whimsical and captivating story, and I cannot wait to see it!"
The Fraud Squad (2023) Kyla Zhao "Immersive, cinematic, and exquisitely fun! The Fraud Squad is the perfect debut, full of high society hijinks, high-stakes, and the joy of finding oneself. A delightful, transportive ride, and the New Adult book I was waiting for!"
Two Wrongs Make a Right (2022) (Wilmot Sisters, book 1) Chloe Liese "I am deeply in awe of Chloe Liese's spectacular talent for creating characters that make readers feel seen. Two Wrongs Make A Right is the perfect romcom: a stunning mix of hilarious tropes, swoony romance, and lovable, relatable characters. A must read for every romance lover!"
The Make-Up Test (2022) Jenny L Howe "Original, clever, sizzling, The Make-Up Test is the perfect mix of unique settings, lovable characters, and the exquisite agony of second chance romances. It's the grad school, rivals-to-lover book of my wildest, sexiest dreams! I'll read anything Jenny Howe writes!"
The Decoy Girlfriend (2022) Lillie Vale "Much like Lillie Vale's debut, The Decoy Girlfriend is voicy, witty, and fulfilling authentic. Lillie Vale knows exactly how to write relatable characters with sizzling chemistry and mix humor and longing in her stories. The Decoy Girlfriend is the irresistible fake-dating romcom of my heart--an absolute must read!"
The American Roommate Experiment (2022) (Spanish Love Deception, book 2) Elena Armas "Elena Armas is the undisputed queen of slow burn, steamy, deliciously swoony romcoms - everything she writes is utterly delightful and has me squeeing in pure joy. Reading The American Roommate Experiment was some of the best-spent hours of my life, and I cannot wait to see what Elena has in store for us next!"
Luck and Last Resorts (2022) Sarah Grunder Ruiz "Romantic, voicy, and full of heart and humor! Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a master at putting beautifully complex characters in beautifully compelling situations. If you want to fall in love with a book, look no further than this one."
Love in the Time of Serial Killers (2022) Alicia Thompson "Alicia Thompson read my mind and gifted me with the true-crime loving, grad-student protagonist of my heart! Unique, sexy, hilarious, charming, Love in The Time of Serial Killers is to die for: the perfect beach read for anyone who loves witty banter, intelligent plotting, and compelling characters. Let Phoebe and Sam's hilarious interactions and blazing chemistry suck you in. The true crime is NOT reading this novel!"
Bend Toward the Sun (2022) Jen Devon "All my favorite tropes in a heart-warming, sensual, beautifully written package. Jen Devon has given us a steamy romance about humans' ability to grow and heal, and about the power of love. I cannot wait to laugh, cry, lose myself in her future books."
Lucie Yi Is Not A Romantic (2022) Lauren Ho "Funny, sharp, and uniquely voicy, Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic is what happens when an uber talented writer tackles important subjects with humor and charm! I cried and cheered and rooted for Lucie in her journey and determination to seize happiness--and in her discovery that maybe she is, after all, a romantic! I am simply in awe of the way Lauren Ho blends women's fiction and romance. I adored Last Tang Standing, I loved Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic, and I cannot wait to see what Lauren Ho gifts us next!"
Freya Sampson "The characters are relatable and lovable; the story is uplifting and romantic, full of emotions and heart, celebrating the importance of making human connections and embracing our dreams. This book is my happy place!"
The Dead Romantics (2022) Ashley Poston "I LOVED this book. A beautiful, poignant story, full of beautiful, poignant characters. Florence is exactly the type of lovable, endearing, relatable lead I want to fall for, and her journey through learning how to love again had me squealing, sighing, laughing. The Dead Romnatics is like a beautifully crafted puzzle: at the end all the pieces fall perfectly into place, and the picture that they form is at once touching, funny, breathtaking, hopeful, and dreamy."
The Beach Trap (2022) Ali Brady "An enchanting, heartwarming story about the families we're born into--and the families we choose for ourselves. The Beach Trap is full of beauty, and hope, and reminders that it's never too late to roll up our sleeves and rise above the mistakes we made. I cheered, I cried, I swooned while reading about Blake and Kat, and their journeys to finding love, to finding themselves, and to becoming the sisters they were always meant to be. Take this book on vacation with you, and let its heart and humor sweep you off your feet!"
Go Hex Yourself (2022) Jessica Clare "Go Hex Yourself is one of those books: the ones you read even though you should be getting ready for work; the ones you cannot help telling your friends about; the ones that make you giggle out loud on the bus; the ones that are so addictively charming, engaging, cinematic, you just cross your fingers and hope someone will turn them into a movie. And that's because Go Hex Yourself is a romantic masterpiece, and the sexiest, most bewitching take on enemies to lovers I've read in ages. I want to live in the worlds Jessica Clare creates, and I cannot wait for her next book."
Weather Girl (2022) Rachel Lynn Solomon "Rachel Lynn Solomon has crafted a magical story that celebrates hope, resilience, and love. My forecast: read it, and you'll be on cloud nine."
The Love Con (2021) Seressia Glass "The Love Con is a laugh-out-loud, tropetastic, sexy love-letter to fandom, women's geek culture, and everyone who's ever been unapologetically passionate about something. With friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, mutual pining, and the most delicious steam, this book makes for a fantastic read. I cannot wait for what Seressia Glass writes next!"
