Goodreads

Release date: April 11, 2023

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A woman discovers the father of the child she is nannying may be her biggest (Only)Fan in this steamy contemporary romance by Lana Ferguson.


After losing her job and being on the brink of eviction, Cassie Evans finds herself with two choices: get a new job (and fast) or fire up her long-untouched OnlyFans account. But there are no jobs to be found, and as for OnlyFans. . . . Well, there are reasons she can’t go back. Just when all hope seems lost, an ad for a live-in nanny position seems the solution to all her problems. It’s almost too perfect—until she meets her would-be employer.

Aiden Reid, executive chef and DILF extraordinaire is far from the stuffy single dad Cassie was imagining. She is shocked when he tells her she’s the most qualified applicant he’s met in weeks, practically begging her to take the job. With hands that make her hindbrain howl and eyes that scream sex, the idea of living under the same roof as Aiden feels dangerous, but with no other option, she decides to stay with him and his adorably tenacious daughter, Sophie.

Cassie soon discovers that Aiden is not a stranger at all, but instead someone who is very familiar with her—or at least, her body. She finds herself at a loss for what to do, given that he doesn’t remember her. As their relationship heats to temperatures hotter than any kitchen Aiden has ever worked in, Cassie struggles with telling Aiden the truth, and the more terrifying possibility—losing the best chance at happiness she’s ever had.

Review:

I’m still very in the mood to read romances with a single dad and the nanny so I had a feeling I would like this one and I was right. I liked the spin the author put on the trope too with Aiden being one of Cassie’s previous customers on her now closed Only Fans account. This definitely brought the heat, there were some really sexy steamy scenes and the balance between those hot moments and the funny and charming family like scenes was a great balance for me. Sophie is Aiden’s adorable nine year old daughter and her relationship with Cassie was so pure. Cassie’s friend Wanda basically stole the show, she was a hilarious and sassy older woman who cracked me up. If you’re a romance fan and like them on the smuttier side but still want a plot this was great!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: April 4, 2023

Publisher: Random House

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A comedy writer thinks she’s sworn off love, until a dreamily handsome pop star flips the script on all her assumptions. Romantic Comedy is a hilarious, observant and deeply tender novel from New York Times–bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld.

Sally Milz is a sketch writer for “The Night Owls,” the late-night live comedy show that airs each Saturday. With a couple of heartbreaks under her belt, she’s long abandoned the search for love, settling instead for the occasional hook-up, career success, and a close relationship with her stepfather to round out a satisfying life.

But when Sally’s friend and fellow writer Danny Horst begins dating Annabel, a glamorous actor who guest-hosted the show, he joins the not-so-exclusive group of talented but average-looking and even dorky men at the show—and in society at large—who’ve gotten romantically involved with incredibly beautiful and accomplished women. Sally channels her annoyance into a sketch called the “Danny Horst Rule,” poking fun at this phenomenon while underscoring how unlikely it is that the reverse would ever happen for a woman.

Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, who signed on as both host and musical guest for this week’s show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder whether there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn’t a romantic comedy; it’s real life. And in real life, someone like him would never date someone like her…right?

With her keen observations and trademark ability to bring complex women to life on the page, Sittenfeld explores the neurosis-inducing and heart-fluttering wonder of love, while slyly dissecting the social rituals of romance and gender relations in the modern age.

Review:

Celebrity romance has been my thing lately so I was thrilled to see CS latest used this trope. Add in a behind the scenes look at a SNL style sketch comedy show and I was intrigued from the moment I started this. The first section is all about Sally’s work at The Night Owls so you really get to know her, which I loved. She was very relatable and funny and charming in an odd way, definitely the kind of character that I have no trouble rooting for. Part two is an epistolary section with emails between Sally and Noah and I love nothing more than reading other people’s emails, I’m nosy that way. Part three shows their relationship developing and the back and forth felt realistic and the whole thing was ultimately satisfying. Felt like a pretty smart romance with great dialogue and plenty of wit.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 21, 2023

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Your next stay-up-all-night thriller, about identical triplets who have a nasty habit of killing their boyfriends, and what happens when the youngest commits their worst crime yet: falling in love with her mark.

Make him want you.
Make him love you.
Make him dead.

Sissy has an…interesting family. Always the careful one, always the cautious one, she has handled the cleanup while her serial killer sisters have carved a path of carnage across the U.S. Now, as they arrive in the Arizona heat, Sissy must step up and embrace the family pastime of making a man fall in love and then murdering him. Her first target? A young widower named Edison–and their mutual attraction is instant. While their relationship progresses, and most couples would be thinking about picking out china patterns and moving in together, Sissy’s family is reminding her to think about picking out burial sites and moving on.

But then something happens that Sissy never anticipated: She begins to feel protective of Edison, and then, before she can help it, she’s fallen in love. But the clock is ticking, and her sisters are growing restless. It becomes clear that the gravesite she chooses will hide a body no matter what happens; but if she betrays her family, will it be hers?

Review:

I absolutely loved this premise, triplet female serial killers?! AMAZING. Say no more, I’m all in. I was instantly pulled into this one and I know a huge part of the reason why I was so invested so quickly is because of how original the setup was. Of course none of this is plausible but who cares when you’re on such a wild ride? The book being set in Arizona was such a treat for me, I’ve only read a handful of books set in my home state so that was really fun. I love reading about unhinged characters and the fact that all three sisters are the very definition of unhinged was so fun. Sissy narrates the entire story and her voice was just so strong and well developed. Speaking of narration I listened to part of this one audio and Karissa Vacker is queen. Grab this is you want a fast paced thriller that is wholly unique and wildly entertaining.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 28, 2023

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Spencer Edwards has a beautiful wife, two perfect children, and a sinister secret locked in his basement…

When Andi Edwards discovers her husband isn’t where he’s supposed to be and isn’t answering her calls or texts, a flurry of scenarios races through her mind.

Is he hurt?
Is he cheating?
Is he dead?

The truth, she soon finds out, is so much worse than she could’ve imagined.

As she struggles to make sense of her new and chilling reality, she must decide whether to stand by the man she loves and help protect him or walk away and let him pay for his sins.

With time running out, the secret in the basement becomes more dangerous, and the spine-chilling truth becomes clear: if she makes the wrong decision, she stands to lose much more than her marriage.

When their best laid plans come back to haunt them, what will Spencer and Andi be willing to sacrifice to survive?

Review:

This will be even trickier than usual to review and I say that every single time I write a KMod review, but it’s true! The whole plot is based on what is in the basement and it’s obviously a must to keep that a secret. But it’s a really good secret and what is down there has the power to change Andi and Spencer’s lives forever. There were some really solid and surprising twists here, especially as things escalated and got closer to the end. I didn’t see them coming and that’s always so fun as an avid thriller reader. If you like juicy and fast paced domestic thrillers this was a good one!

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 7, 2023

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

In this novel of escalating fear and suspense by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent, a secret from a woman’s past unearths a lifetime of lies. How long can she run from the past?

On her fortieth birthday, Celia Guest has reason to celebrate. She has a loving marriage, a beautiful Connecticut home, and treasured friends. Celia has everything she’s ever wanted. But among the cards and well-wishes, she discovers a disturbing note: You don’t deserve any of this.

Who could be so cruel, so resentful, so…knowing? Then, in the early morning hours, Celia vanishes without a trace.

As suspicions and concerns rise among Celia’s friends, her sister Genevieve, with whom she shares a fractured and troubling bond, starts to piece together a shattered life that Celia fled from once before. As a foundation of lies begins to crumble, a terrifying childhood secret Celia thought was dead and buried comes to light.

And this time, there’s no getting away from the truth.

Review:

Minka Kent is one of my trusted authors that I turn to when I’m in the mood for a fast paced and entertaining thriller. I liked the concept here and it’s told from sisters Celia and Gen’s POV in alternating timelines. It’s pacey and there’s lots of secrets being revealed throughout and I really enjoyed the majority. The ending did fall a little flat for me, I was expecting it to pack more of a punch but overall that aspect didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of the whole thing.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 21, 2023

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Two restaurant critics learn their opposing tastes might make for a five-star relationship in the next foodie romantic comedy from the author of Sadie on a Plate.

By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she’s @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll’s rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job.

While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie’s follower count soars—and so does the Scroll’s. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously.

Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they’ll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.

Review:

Amanda Elliot is back with another interconnected but stand-alone read that is a must if you like foodie fiction combined with a romance. I will say the romance aspect was fairly light but it is there, it’s just more about Julie’s career and personal journey. She’s a food influencer but still has to work at her day job and dreams of the day she can follow her passion full time. The food descriptions were just delectable, everything sounded amazing and the author painted such a pretty picture of everything, seriously mouthwatering. Overall a really fun read especially if you like food, romance and a NYC setting.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

GoodreadS

Release date: February 7, 2023

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

“Get it out of me.”

It was the last message Holly received from her brother, Dane, before he was found cleaved open in his fiancée’s lavish Savannah townhouse. Police ruled his death a suicide sparked by psychosis, but Holly can’t shake the idea that something else must have happened… Something involving another message he sent that night, the one that mentioned a “game” his fiancée, Maura, wanted to play…

Determined to discover the truth, Holly begins to stalk Maura—a magnetic, black-eyed florist with a penchant for carnivorous plants. But what begins as an investigation quickly veers into a darker fixation, one that lures Holly into the depths of Maura’s world: Savannah high society, eerie black roses, and a whisper of something more sinister. Soon, Holly is feeling a dark attraction to the one woman she shouldn’t trust. As Holly falls deeper for Maura and her secrets, she’s left with only one choice: find out what happened to Dane… before she meets the same fate.

A woman investigating her brother’s apparent suicide finds herself falling for her prime suspect—his darkly mysterious girlfriend—in this edgy Southern gothic thriller.

Review:

I finished this book several days ago and have been sitting with my thoughts ever since. It was such a different read and when I finished I wasn’t sure if I liked it or hated it. Such a unique reading experience and definitely one that made me think long after I finished. I liked so many aspects, it was super creepy and unsettling and fairly fast paced. The southern gothic vibes were fantastic and it was so bizarre which I usually enjoy. I don’t think I picked up on it being gothic horror until after I started it and that’s not a genre I normally read. It’s just not usually my thing, but that’s sort of why I’m torn here. Things got really weird as the book went on and I think it was just a little too out there for me in the end. But the setting was awesome, the plot was pretty strong and the concept was original. If you like super strange and out there this could be for you.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 14, 2023

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A remote back-to-basics mountaintop retreat in the French Alps turns deadly as an Oxford fellow finds herself in the crosshairs of her late husband’s dangerous secrets.

The Chalet des Anglais should be the ideal locale for recently-widowed Oxford don Emily to begin cutting through the fog of her grief. With no electricity, running water, or access by car, the rustic chalet nestled at the foot of the verdant, snow-topped Alps should afford Emily both time and space to heal. Joining her will be a collection of friends from the university, as well as other fellows, graduates, and undergraduates.

Something feels off, though—heightening Emily’s existing grief-induced anxiety. Before even making it to the airport, she’s unnerved by a break-in at her home. Once at the chalet, tension amongst the guests is palpable. Her friends and colleagues are behaving oddly, and competition for a newly opened position has introduced a streak of meanness into the otherwise relaxing getaway. As hostilities grow, Emily begins to wonder if the chalet’s dark history has cast a shadow over the retreat. In the salon, a curious grandfather clock looms, the only piece of furniture to survive a deadly blaze a century ago. As its discordant bell begins to invade everyone’s dreams, someone very real has been searching through Emily’s things and attempting to hack into her computer.

When a student disappears, Emily realizes that she’d better separate friend from foe, and real from imagined—or the next disappearance may be her own.

Review:

This one started out strong for me, you could almost immediately feel a sense of dread and unease and the author did a great job of creating a sense of place. I’m a sucker for a locked room style mystery and remote retreat in the French Alps seemed like the best combination of beautiful with a sinister edge that I enjoyed. My interest did start to diminish a little though as things progressed, maybe it was a little too much of a slow burn for me. But there were many clever aspects and despite figuring out the big reveal before it was actually revealed I did mostly enjoy it. Definitely recommend if you enjoy a slow burn and quieter style of suspense.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.