contemporary

Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson

This was a charming book that answers every book lover’s question – what would you do if your favorite book boyfriend comes to life and plops down in the middle of your life? That’s exactly what happens to struggling romance writer Zoe, and she is not prepared for the chaos Mr. Darcy causes. After getting into a tiff with Nick, a grumpy independent book store owner, about romance books, she discovers a dusty copy of Pride & Prejudice and runs off with it. Imagine her surprise when she opens the book on the bus and Mr. Darcy appears in his finest clothes. They are both stunned, and have no idea what is happening. Even crazier things happen later in the book which really put a smile on my face and it was a fun ride to the end.

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October 18, 2026 0

Blue Jean Summer (Wilder Estate #1) by Maggie C. Gates

I love this book! It is so cute and Hayes and Catherine are the perfect couple. Their witty banter had me smiling throughout. The side characters that work at the ranch, Hallie, Mason, and Levi, cracked me up and added even more levity to the story. Their conspiracy to get this couple to a HEA was perfect.

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September 21, 2026 0

No Place Like You (Oak Sisters #2) by Jillian Meadows

This is such a cute friends to lovers, fake-dating romance between Fable and Theo who grew up in the same small town. Fable left for awhile trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life, but after a few failed attempts, returned home and moved into her deceased grandfather’s dilapidated house. Theo left the small town veterinarian practice for the big city, but decided to come back to his roots. He wants to buy the veterinarian practice from the elderly vet that’s selling it, but the vet doesn’t want to sell it to Theo because he doesn’t think Theo is serious about staying in town.

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September 13, 2026 0

Wild About You by Madison Score

This book is so dang cute! It starts with a meet-cute between veterinarian Cassie and jack of all trades Noah as they try to capture a tiger that got loose from its cage on its way to a sanctuary. It’s a rocky start between the two, which doesn’t get better when she buys the house next door to him that he’d been trying to buy for his mother to live in. Their grumpy/sunshine personalities light up the pages with witty banter and gestures of kindness. Complete with a meddling mother and small town coziness, this book hits all the right notes.

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September 8, 2026 0

To All the Guys I Killed Before by Sara Whitney

How do you not like a book with a cinnamon roll MMC that projects himself as a boring loser to the girl he’s crushing on, but literally kills people that makes her mad? Rue thinks Hugo is the most boring man alive. He meets her every evening at the mailbox for an awkward conversation that makes her inwardly roll her eyes. But he’s got a dark secret that he never wants her to know about. He hunts down men that abuse women and children and kills them. Turns out, so does she!

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August 21, 2026 0

God’s Country (Cork O’Connor #21) By William Kent Krueger

This is book 21 in the Cork O’Connor series but can be read as a standalone. There are issues from previous books that are referenced, but won’t impact a first time reader’s enjoyment of the book. This book has plenty of action and suspense that will keep you glued to it. Cork also goes through a lot of self-reflection in this book. He tries to come to terms with his capacity for peace and forgiveness but also for rage and vengeance.

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August 16, 2026 0

Just Playing for Keeps (Hockey Ever After #2) by Lauren Blakely

This book was so adorable!! Blakely has a talent for giving us characters that can be spunky and strong, and yet have vulnerabilities you can relate to. Remy was all of those things, and more. Lake was the perfect gruff, grumpy, and protective book boyfriend that always melts your heart. Fake dating is my favorite trope and this couple was so cute as they managed faking their relationship with everyone with the real feelings that were developing. I love a book that is funny and has witty banter and Blakely never disappoints. I was laughing and smiling throughout the book.

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August 16, 2026 0

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier

Twenty-five years ago Barb, Nicolette, and Lorelei were best friends in small town Seaside. They meet a drifter named Sam at an amusement park and they all go to the drive-in. The girls have a fight and the last time Barb and Nicolette see Lorelei is when they left her at the drive-in with Sam. A few days later Lorelei’s body turns up in a cranberry bog and Sam is later arrested. He confesses to killing 4 other girls besides Lorelei and goes to prison.

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August 12, 2026 0

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

I flew to St. Louis from San Diego on a Thursday night to attend a book signing event for 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 with Fredrik Backman on Friday night and flew back to San Diego on Saturday morning. That’s how much I love this author. I could not pass up another opportunity to meet him.

His writing touches me more than any other writer I’ve read. He is able to put into words feelings that I can’t identify or articulate. No other author can break open my cold dead heart and make me ugly cry like Backman, in the best way possible.

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August 2, 2026 0