Goodreads

Release date: January 14, 2025

Publisher: Random House

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.

An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice

She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.

As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the “real story” through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary. But she can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy either. So, after a decade of silence, she’s telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.

Inspired by the powerful love and hate that fuel Emily Bronte’s classic, Wuthering Heights, The Favorites is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition, and what it truly means to win.

Review:

I’ve been on the lookout for a book with the same vibes as Daisy Jones and the Six for years and this one definitely has the same feel. I’ve long been fascinated by figure skating but never really got that into ice dancing and after reading this it makes me want to become a bigger fan!

This follows Heath and Katerina from the time they meet as kids up through adulthood and gives a glimpse inside the cutthroat and intense world of competitive skating. The format is really engaging as you hear from those two but it’s also set up like a documentary so you hear from several people who played large and small roles in their lives between the regular narrative structure. So the plot had me allllll in, following a couple throughout their fascinating careers?! Yes please! But I didn’t expect to be as obsessed as I was, I was addicted to the drama, the betrayals, the heartbreak, the romance, the glitz, the dark side of sports and so much more. Everything about this one was immersive for me and I suspect it will be hugely popular upon its release, I’m telling it’s SO good!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Amazon

Release date: December 10, 2024

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Crime Fiction

Synopsis:

Kim clutches the note tightly as her pulse starts to race. You have 36 hours. If you follow the instructions, no one will get hurt…

When Detective Kim Stone is woken before dawn because local journalist Tracy Frost wants to show her a message, she’s not impressed. But her blood turns cold when she reads the note. She has 36 hours to follow a trail set by an anonymous challenger. If she fails, people will die.

Kim’s gut tells her this is no hoax. She summons her team, desperate to prevent what lies ahead. With minutes to spare, they solve the first cryptic clue. It leads to a box hidden deep in the woods, containing a second clue and a tape. As she listens to the recording of a heart-wrenching scream, Kim knows her enemy will go to any lengths to achieve his goals… and that she must draw on all her experience of evil men to understand what is driving him.

Refusing to blindly follow orders, Kim and the team turn the killer’s clues against him, using evidence buried deep in the tapes to find where he’s hiding his victim. But they are too late… And then, as the sun rises on the second day, someone else goes missing. This time, it’s a skilled surgeon, and if they don’t save her, an eight-year-old girl will die.

Exhausted and enraged, with her bosses watching every step she takes, Kim realises the only way to win is to break the rules. But with the clock ticking, can she find the twisted mind behind this murderous game before her time runs out?

From the no.1 bestselling author Angela Marsons, 36 Hours is a pulse-pounding race against time that will not let you stop reading for a second. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Val McDermid.

Review:

I feel like a broken record every time I talk about the latest installment in the Kim Stone series because I always say the books just keep getting better, but y’all, they really and truly do! The authors true talent to genuinely improve book after book in such a long running series is beyond impressive, it’s a special gift that few possess and it always leaves me in awe. The other thing I find myself repeating each review is yes, you should read the entire series in order. Technically you can read this as a standalone but you would be missing out on so much history and rich character development and I’m not sure you would appreciate just how fantastic this series is. 

This time around Kim and her team are racing against the clock, literally. Every case has pressures but the addition of a ticking clock really heightened everything to a new level. The team doesn’t get any rest while they’re trying to solve cryptic puzzles and hard to guess clues and the intensity was at an all time high. As you can imagine this leaves Kim even grumpier than ever but dare I say she showed a softer side at moments here?! I know, sounds unbelievable but it’s true and I adore when the author showcases a slightly more tender side to her character. Don’t worry she’s gone too soft though, the case throws her nemesis Tracy Frost into the mix so she’s still the irritable smart ass we all know and love. As always this was fast paced, twisty and super clever with a case that I would’ve never solved before the team did. I loved how everything wrapped up, especially the last few chapters with glimpses into the entire teams home and private life, it lent of sense of intimacy to the story and brought me back down to earth after an epic conclusion to the case. I can’t say enough good things about this series, it’s a police procedural like no other and definitely one of my all time favorites! 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

About the Author:

Angela Marsons is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the DI Kim Stone series and her books have sold more than 6 million copies.

She lives in Worcestershire with her partner and their 3 cheeky dogs.

https://www.facebook.com/AngelaMarsonsAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/angiemarsons/

Tweets by WriteAngie

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Angela Marsons here: https://www.bookouture.com/angela-marsons

It’s that time of year where everywhere you look you see best of lists and I’m the type of person who absolutely loves these lists! As a huge romance reader I was very curious about what books would make Amazons list.

The Best Romance Books of 2024

1. This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
2. Funny Story by Emily Henry
3. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
4. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
5. Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
6. Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
7. This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
8. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
9. Between Friends & Lovers: A Novel by Shirlene Obuobi
10. Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver
11. The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
12. The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
13. The Striker by Ana Huang
14. Never Blow A Kiss by Lindsay Lovise
15. You Should be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
16. A Fate Inked in Blood: Book One of the Saga of the Unfated by Danielle L. Jensen
17. Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher
18. The Rom-Commers: A Novel by Katherine Center
19. Say You’ll Be Mine: A Novel by Naina Kumar
20. Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Personally, I’ve read eight from their choices and a few may even make my own best of romance list, you’ll have to wait a little longer to see mine…

I was so excited to get an opportunity to chat with Abby Abell, an Amazon editor about all things romance books. Check out our convo below.

1. Did any of the best romance picks surprise you? Did any manage to make the list that you didn’t anticipate being here? The fact that a book didn’t unseat Kennedy Ryan’s This Could Be Us for the top spot was a surprise. It was our Best Romance of the Year So Far in June, and normally we kind of expect that a book may come out later in the year that nabs the top spot. While some fantastic romances published in the second half of the year, there wasn’t one that we felt as strongly about as This Could Be Us. It’s just such a beautiful, nuanced book, and while it’s absolutely a romance, it’s also about friendship and parenting and rediscovering yourself. Another book that I’m not surprised made the list but I want even more people talking about is Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto. It’s our #5 Romance, and I loved it so much. Smoldering, funny. I recommended it to everyone. Julie Soto has a lot happening in 2025, and I can’t wait to devour everything she publishes.

2. Did trends in the romance genre change much this year? If so what has changed? I wouldn’t say the trends changed this year, but shifts that I continue to be excited about are:
   1. The vulnerability of MMCs (male main characters) in romance. Whether it’s cowboys or werewolves or divorced dads, I love reading about strong, vulnerable men, and the recognition that vulnerability is strength. It also makes the love stories that much more nuanced and swoony.
   2. Broadening of sports romances beyond hockey. To be clear, I will read a hockey romance any day of the week, but I’ve loved seeing sports romances branch out to baseball, golf, Formula 1, even pickleball. It’s great that romance readers have so many options to choose from.  

3. Were there any specific tropes that seemed to be everywhere this year?

I may be biased because this is probably my favorite trope, but I feel like enemies-to-lovers was everywhere, from romantasies to romantic comedies, and done really well. It’s just such a delicious vehicle for building tension between the main characters, and there are so many flavors of it. A few of my favorite enemies-to-lovers romances from this year are Not Another Love Song, Bride, and Is She Really Going Out With Him?.

4. Predictions for trends for 2025 in the romance genre? As I mentioned earlier, I think we’ll continue to see sports romances branch out to more sports. I also think for romantasy, we’ll continue to see new worlds being introduced, or new spins on existing worlds (e.g., a new take on vampires). A Fate Inked in Blood was one of our Best Romance Books of the Year, and it’s a Viking romantasy. The second book comes out in May 2025 and I can’t wait.

5. What makes a book standout and become a best book of the year? Fundamentally, it’s the book we can stop thinking about and talking about and recommending to everyone. It stays with us whether we read it in January or September. There are so many ingredients that go into that (great writing, riveting love story, etc.), but ultimately, it’s the book that brings us the most joy and reminds us that love wins.

6. What cover trends did you see in the romance genre this year? The trend I’m most excited to see is more covers trying something outside of what’s become the norm of bright colors, bold fonts, and simple illustrations. Don’t get me wrong, I love these covers, but I’m also excited to see something new. An example, and I happen to be obsessed with these covers, is the Rebel Blue Ranch series. I love how retro and fun these covers are (also a fantastic Western romance series), and a departure from a lot of the romance covers out there.

7. If someone only wanted to read one book from this list what one would you rec? What one would you rec for someone brand new to romance? For the veteran romance reader, I have to go with our #1 pick, Kennedy Ryan’s This Could Be Us. It’s such a rich, poignant, life-affirming book. For someone new to romance, I’d recommend either Funny Story by Emily Henry or Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan. These are heartfelt, smart romantic comedies, and I think the perfect gateway for someone who wants to see if romance is for them (spoiler alert: it is!).

Huge thanks to Abby for talking with me!

About Abby:

Abby Abell has always been in awe of authors and the magic they create with words. She’s spent much of her career in publishing and is never not reading, mainly fiction – romance, young adult, fantasy, literary, you name it. Her primary goal now is making sure her son shares her love of books, and so far, so good. She lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband, son, and two grumpy dogs. Some of her favorite books include A Prayer for Owen Meany, Normal People, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and everything by Emily Henry.

Goodreads

Release date: January 21, 2025

Publisher: Avon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Old flames reignite in Sunrise Cove in this charming enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, small-town, forced-proximity love story about family, friendships, and true love from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

Review:

I held out as long as I could but I couldn’t wait any longer to read the authors latest. I wanted a cozy and funny romance and she always delivers on both fronts for me, it’s so nice being able to count on an author and she’s one of my trusted few that I know will write a story that I adore. This series is so special, I love the Tahoe setting and she always infuses so much cozy charm and happiness into her stories despite exploring deep topics. Olive and Noah are back home years after a tragic accident and seeing them finally deal with their pain and find their way to each other in the meantime was so sweet. The secondary characters about stole the show this time around, (not really but close) Noah’s sister is also Olive’s BFF so she played a huge role in the story and she cracked me up, her snark was the best and her and Olive’s relationship was adorable. If you like second chance, found family, friends to lovers, a gorgeous setting, lots of humor and sexy chemistry this was fantastic!!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: January 7, 2024

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins in this electric, voice-driven debut novel about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past. 

Cate Kay knows how to craft a story. As the creator of a bestselling book trilogy that struck box office gold as a film series, she’s one of the most successful authors of her generation. The thing is, Cate Kay doesn’t really exist. She’s never attended author events or granted any interviews. Her real identity had been a closely guarded secret, until now.

As a young adult, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of escaping their difficult homes and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day before their grand adventure, a tragedy shattered their dreams and Cate has been on the run ever since, taking on different names and charting a new future. But after a shocking revelation, Cate understands that returning home is the only way she’ll be a whole person again.

Review:

The marketing compares this to Evelyn Hugo and I was definitely skeptical going in, but you know what? I can see that comparison for sure! There’s definitely a similar vibe but this one was very unique and original on its own. At first glance this seems like it may be a bit ambitious as far as structure and plot goes but the author delivered everything in a seamless manner and with a deft hand and I was never confused for a second. There are several points of view, some you only hear from briefly but everyone that does contribute does so for a reason, it’s very thoughtful and purposeful. There’s also a book within a book with I love so much and you also get a queer love story, some mystery, and deeply developed characters and strong writing. I absolutely loved this unique story and highly recommend it when you’re in the mood for a book that is consuming, thought provoking and smart.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: December 3, 2024

Publisher: Gallery

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, her whole future is wide open. But then Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she’s falling for, ghosts her. Her debut novel, a thriller, fails. And she has writer’s block worse than ever before. Now, three years later, Zach is famous and Zoe is… not. 

She’s facing her thirtieth birthday, a dead-end job at a flower shop, and a demanding agent, terrified she’ll never get her life back on track. But when she goes to make a flower delivery and Zach is at the address, it’s like no time has passed at all. They start casually dating in secret, her writer’s block disappears, and Zoe begins to feel Zach inspired her first novel, so why can’t he inspire her second? But then the inevitable happens and photos are leaked, landing Zoe in the press. Her first novel goes viral, and now everyone seems to know her name. Except the problem with everyone knowing your name is that everyone knows your name—including the mysterious stalker obsessed with Zach. A stalker who begins reenacting violent events from Zoe’s book, step by step, against her…

Review:

I am obsessed with this book! From the very first page I was absolutely enthralled and totally caught up in Zoe’s life. Her voice was so strong, even if she was a little bit frustrating at times and I could feel her emotions throughout the book. The premise was fantastic as well, Zoe wrote a thriller about a stalker and suddenly scenes from the book are happening to her in real life. So creepy and unique. This was unhinged and twisty and very addictive, I did not want to put it down and found myself rushing to get back to it anytime I had a chance. The ending was totally unexpected for me, I never saw it coming and that’s always a great thing when I’m reading a thriller. If you like books about obsession, Hollywood fame, and stalkers this was excellent and I’ll be seeking out the authors previous books asap. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: September 24, 2024

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

To the outside world, Imogen is a marketing dynamo. Her colleagues don’t know that while her high-achieving professional image is real, the happy childhood stories she spins are as fake as her pretend enthusiasm for Christmas. Working 24/7 has always been her solution to surviving the festive season—until burnout leads to a catastrophic blunder.

Suddenly, Imogen is handed a holiday gift she definitely doesn’t want: enforced time off work to recuperate. Then an invitation arrives from her favorite client, Dorothy, to stay at her guest cottage in the Cotswolds. From the thatched roof to the cozy open fireplace, Holly Cottage is a picture-perfect haven… Can it provide the fresh start Imogen so desperately needs?

For Dorothy, helping Imogen offers a longed-for chance to make reparations for her own past. But as her daughter Sara keeps reminding her, it brings risks, too. Yet Dorothy knows that only a leap of courage will allow her family to grow and heal. And perhaps this Christmas, with Dorothy’s help, the new life that Imogen is slowly piecing together could be better than anything either of them could imagine…

Review:

I just adore the authors books and up until now my favorite seasonal read from her was The Christmas Sisters but this may take the top spot for me now. It was SO good, it has a mix of romance, family drama, holiday festivities and second chances and I adored every single page. Parts were emotional and somewhat heavy but it was balanced by holiday activities and Christmas charm. It didn’t hurt that there were cute kids and animals too, definitely some levity for some of the heavier issues. There are bits set in London but the majority takes place in a quaint and charming village, a perfect wintery setting. I’ve been reading a ton of seasonal romances and this was one of the best I’ve read this year!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: December 3, 2024

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Peyton Collard was a good man once, but his life changed after a horrific car accident. Divorced, drunk, and severely damaged, Peyton is offered a life-changing sum of money to kill an evil man. But as he goes on a vigilante journey that leaves a trail of bodies across California, Peyton wonders about the identity of his anonymous patron. 

Soon, his questions become an obsession, and he embarks on a tense and potentially deadly investigation to discover the truth about the murders he’s committed.

Review:

This is the type of book with a pretty outrageous premise and you’ll have to be able to suspense your disbelief to enjoy it, but I liked the premise and I mostly enjoyed it! Peyton is a frustrating character, he makes terrible decisions and I was pretty annoyed by him for most of the book. Many people are describing this one as fast paced but I found it be on the slower side, yes the chapters are short and there are pacey moments but there are also plenty of slower sections making this one more steadily paced for me. Parts seemed almost repetitive and it definitely could’ve been a little shorter for me. Do I recommend this? Sure, to the right reader. You’ll like this if you don’t need a likable or reliable MC and if you like stories that go a little out there.

Overall rating: 3.25/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 19, 2024

Publisher: Harper

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A dazzling thriller about a young woman whose fabulously wealthy mother might be the victim of an elaborate con or might be losing her mind––and the daughter can’t tell where the truth lies.

Julie’s mother Kate is a force of nature––a glamorous woman of seventy, a self-made real estate developer, a grande dame in Florida society, and a power broker in Florida politics. It wasn’t easy for Julie to grow up in the shadow of such a dynamo, but she loves her mother, and she and her husband Eric are thrilled when Kate marries her long-lost high school sweetheart, a salt-of-the-earth man named Charlie.

But their storybook romance ends abruptly. On their wedding night, Kate calls the police in hysterics to report that Charlie just confessed to a notorious unsolved crime from decades before. 

Charlie says she imagined it. Eric says that Kate has dementia. And the FBI says that Charlie couldn’t possibly have committed that crime.

Julie doesn’t know what to believe. Is her brilliant mother losing her mind? Or is sweet, lovable Charlie gaslighting Kate to gain control of her fortune?

As Julie tries to navigate through this maze of paranoia and mind games, cracks start to develop in her own marriage as it seems that Eric is keeping secrets . . .

Set against a backdrop of rampant development and devastating climate change, Shell Games is a psychological thriller that will make your head spin and the pages turn as you wonder exactly who is doing what to whom.

Review:

This one was wild! It’s gaslighting galore and as the reader you have no idea who to believe or what to think and I always enjoy that feeling when I’m reading a psychological thriller. The pacing was pretty fast and I read it in just a couple of sittings because I really wanted to know what would happen next. It’s definitely a huge guessing game with twists and turns, sometimes verging on outlandish but I had a lot of fun with it and some of the twists were really great. Julie is a bit of a frustrating character and hard to sympathize with at times but overall this was engaging and entertaining.

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: October 1, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Thomas and Nelson

Synopsis:

Like walking onto the set of your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie, Mistletoe Season invites readers to fall in love alongside three couples, featuring old flames, opposites attract, and even a royal romance.

Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts

Mistletoe is Hailey Fairchild’s kryptonite. Every time she’s kissed someone under the mistletoe it’s led to love disaster. Not a good thing for a romance writer! When she was a gawky high school girl, her hunky neighbor, Carwyn Davies, star of the basketball team (and her dreams), kissed her under the mistletoe on a dare. But the kiss wasn’t a dream come true. It was a mortifying moment she’s never forgotten, and now she’s about to go home for the holidays, unengaged and . . . determined to say no to mistletoe. Especially if Carwyn is anywhere around.

Return to Mistletoe by Kathleen Fuller

Emmy Banks has always loved Christmas. How could she not when she lives in Mistletoe, Missouri? Kieran O’Neill has spent years abroad, renovating an old Irish castle, but returns to Mistletoe for his mother’s seventieth birthday. He reconnects with Emmy, his sister’s close friend, and spends time with her in her charming antique shop. When the weather turns colder, things start to warm up between Emmy and Kieran. But can Emmy risk her heart when she knows he’ll never stay in Mistletoe and she’ll never leave?

The Mistletoe Prince by Pepper Basham

Prince Arran St. Clare has lost his freedom and fairytale life in exchange for a three-month “punishment” in the small town of Ransom, North Carolina. To prove he is ready for the royal life for which he was born, Arran must engage in the Christmas charity fundraiser, The Mistletoe Wish. But when kindness, authenticity, and hard work prove more appreciated in Appalachia than a royal pedigree, Arran must face the mirror and find out who he is beyond the crown. Add a beautiful and intelligent woman who doesn’t recognize her own worth, some mistletoe, and a little Christmas magic, and it all might be enough to help the rebel-prince understand what truly matters most.

Featuring three separate stories, Mistletoe Season is the perfect escape from a bustling Christmas season. Pull up a cozy blanket, fix yourself a warm drink, and set yourself up by the fire to enjoy three delightful, low-spice romances.

Review:

This was such a cute holiday collection, it’s three novellas from three different authors and I enjoyed all of them. This would be perfect during the busy holiday season and you could jump in and out, maybe read one story even if that’s all you had time for. If you’re in the mood for some festive, hallmark style reads try this collection! 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.