October flew by and I can’t believe we’re already in the final month of fall! This month came with some truly stellar reads, but it was also when I had the most DNFs. I’ve learned that if I’m not hooked within the first few chapters or first 30 pages, it’s best to move on, and it has made reading so much more enjoyable overall.
📚 Favorite Reads of the Month
Instead of choosing just one, I wanted to highlight my three five-star reads from October. Full reviews can be found on Goodreads:
The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson – Thank you Berkley Romance for the free ARC, releases December 2.Mate by Ali Hazelwood – Target editionSecret Haven by Catherine Cowles
💅 Favorite Manicure
Lights Lacquer The Restricted Section
Lights Lacquer’s The Restricted Section is a deep gray-green polish with a fine shimmer finish. I was surprised by how much I loved this one since shimmers are usually out of my comfort zone, but it perfectly captured the fall and spooky vibes this month.
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 4/1/2025
Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH audio for the free copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zeke and Lexi wake up lost at sea after their houseboat drifts away. As they work together to get home, their unexpected time together sparks a deeper connection that neither of them saw coming.
I’ve read all of Beth O’Leary’s books so I was really looking forward to Swept Away. I enjoyed it and ended up finishing it in a day because it had the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and a touch of mystery. I loved how the author built a genuine connection between Lexi and Zeke even though their relationship started as a one-night stand. While their physical attraction to each other is undeniable, it was great to see their deeper layers unfold as they worked together to survive. The forced proximity of being stranded at sea added tension and excitement which kept the story engaging. There’s a surprising twist at the end that completely caught me off guard and the author kept me on my toes the entire time. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 2/11/2025
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the free advanced copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Radio host Aiden Valentine finds himself drawn to Lucie Stone after her daughter’s call for dating advice makes them local celebrities. As sparks fly off-air, Lucie must choose between a staged romance and a genuine connection with Aiden.
I loved the premise of First-Time Caller and appreciated that it was inspired by 90s romcoms. The dual perspectives from Lucie and Aiden were fantastic and the sprinkled radio segments added a nice touch to break up the chapters. The characters’ voices were distinctive which made it easy to connect with both protagonists. The supporting cast was equally well written and I’m excited to see which characters might get their own books! Lucie’s 12-year-old daughter, Maya, was an absolute highlight. She was cute, quirky, and showed a wonderful mix of maturity and childlike innocence. I also appreciated that Aiden’s grumpy attitude was explained rather than just presented as a personality trait. The slow build-up and chemistry between Aiden and Lucie were amazing which created great chemistry. However, I found the book to be a bit too long with some scenes dragging and the pacing occasionally feeling off. While the build-up to their romance was great, the steamy scenes felt abrupt and could have benefited from smoother transitions. I also wished there had been more focus on Aiden building a relationship with Maya as that would have added more depth to their story. Overall, I found that this was a solid start to the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 3/12/2024
Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Happily Never After by Lynn Painter, Sophie Steinbeck enlists the help of a professional objector, Max, to escape her own doomed wedding, leading them on a series of anti-wedding adventures where they work together to save others from unhappy marriages. As they navigate their unconventional partnership, Sophie and Max confront their own skepticism about love, only to find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, especially when faced with a job that hits too close to home.
I loved the banter between Sophie and Max; their chemistry was off the charts. The evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers was sweet, yet when they finally came together, it turned spicy. Sophie’s roommates were hilarious, adding even more fun to the story! The only aspect I found less appealing were some of the decisions Sophie and Max made individually, which irked me, but this didn’t deter my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted romance that’s perfect to pick up this spring!
Bride by Ali Hazelwood Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 2/6/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Bride by Ali Hazelwood, Misery Lark, a vampyre, is thrust into a political marriage with Lowe Moreland, the Alpha of the Weres, to maintain a peacekeeping alliance. Misery navigates this uneasy alliance with her own hidden agenda, determined to reclaim something precious to her, even if it means living in the hostile territory of her mortal enemies.
Ali Hazelwood’s Bride marks an exciting shift to a new genre: paranormal romance. Moving away from her usual style, I was pleasantly surprised that she tried something a bit different. There was an element of mystery in the beginning that intrigued me. I found the subplots to be more interesting than Misery and Lowe’s romantic involvement. The steamy scenes were definitely a plus, but I just couldn’t see Misery and Lowe as a long-term couple. The pacing was a bit off in this book where some scenes dragged out and other scenes were action-packed and kept me engaged. I really liked the way that all the characters were fleshed out. It also made complete sense that this was told through Misery’s POV. The world building was a bit tedious at times and wasn’t necessary since this was more of paranormal romance. I also felt that the third act breakup didn’t make much sense and it wasn’t explained how it was really resolved. It honestly made like Lowe less. Overall, I thought this was a great first attempt into paranormal romance for Ali and can’t wait to see her explore this genre more!
Happy pub day to The Fake Mate & Technically Yours! Check out my latest reviews for these Berkley Romance novels below:
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 12/5/2023
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mackenzie Carter navigates pressure from her nosy grandmother to find a perfect mate which leads her impulsively claim she’s dating Taylor, a cardiologist hiding his true nature. Could their fake dating arrangement possibly lead to more?
I liked Lana’s debut, The Nanny, so I was excited to see that her sophomore book, The Fake Mate, especially since it went into a different direction. This paranormal romance explores fake dating, grumpy-sunshine, wolf shifters, and set against a hospital backdrop. I was engaged in the two distinct perspectives in this novel. The banter and chemistry between Mackenzie and Noah was a great balance of sweet and spicy. There were a few of cheesy moments which weren’t for me and I wasn’t a fan of the glands concept. I found that Noah’s reason for fake dating was justifiable, but Mackenzie’s reasoning came off as silly. Overall, this was a 3.5 star read for me, but I rounded to 4 stars on GoodReads.
Technically Yours by Denise Williams Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 12/5/2023
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pearl Harris navigates her new role as acting director of OurCode amidst a scandal, while grappling with her unresolved feelings for Cord Matthews, a board member and her former flame, whose return threatens both their careers and the future of the nonprofit. Their undeniable chemistry challenges their personal rules against workplace romance, making it difficult to separate their professional duties from the pull of a second chance at love.
Technically Yours has been one of my most anticipated reads! I have been excited to see Pearl and Cord getting together ever since I read The Fastest Way To Fall. This can be read as a stand alone, but Britta and Wes show up as supporting characters which is a pleasant surprise. I had mixed feelings about this book. First, I loved that we got to see Pearl and Cord years later. The dual perspective, combined with flashbacks of their meeting and infatuation, added depth to the story. In the present day, Pearl’s wishy-washy feelings towards Cord irked me, as he gave her no reason for doubt, though I understood this stemmed from her past toxic relationships. Cord was lovable, but he seemed too perfect which kind of irked me. The mentor/mentee relationship between Cord and Ty was sweet. I valued how Denise integrated discussions on the significance of pronouns and addressed issues of racism and sexism in the workplace in her writing. Though this wasn’t for me, Denise is always an auto-read author for me and I can’t wait to read her next book!
Happy Place by Emily Henry Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 4/25/2023
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free advanced ebook copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.
They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best?
Review:Happy Place was one of my most anticipated spring reads! This contemporary romance novel delves into college friendships, rekindled love, self-growth, and change. The author tackles heavy subjects of mental health and grief throughout the story. I enjoyed the use of present-day and flashback chapters, which helped me understand the relationship between the main characters, Wyn and Harriet, from their first meeting to their breakup and its aftermath. The friendship group dynamic was well-done, and each character was unique and contributed to the story. The book had many memorable one-liners. However, the pacing of the story was a weak point for me. I found that the middle dragged and the ending felt rushed. Despite this, it was a solid four-star rating. I’d recommend this book to fans of Emily Henry’s work.
Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 11/22/2022
Thank you Berkley Romance for the free finished copy and PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.
Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.
Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash their hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.
To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder, what if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?
Review: Two Wrongs Make a Right is the first book I’ve read from Chloe Liese. This romcom contains a fake dating trope and dives into family, friendship, healing, and taking chances. Overall, I enjoyed this one! I really loved the relationship between James and Beatrice. I really liked the way that the author built the relationship between the two main characters. Two Wrongs Make a Right is the first book I’ve read from Chloe Liese. This romcom contains a fake dating trope and dives into family, friendship, healing, and taking chances. Overall, I enjoyed this one! I aapreciated the touching note from the author giving the reader a heads up about content warnings and to read with care. I really loved the relationship between James and Beatrice. I really liked the way that the author built the relationship between the two main characters. I also really loved the dual POVS. The audiobook narrators also did a fantastic job! Now I can’t wait for Kate’s story!
Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 09/20/2022
Thank you to Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: Margot Noble needs some relief from the stress of running the family winery with her brother. Enter Luke: sexy, charming, and best of all in the too-small world of Napa, a stranger. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and Margot is delighted that she lucked into the perfect one-night stand she’ll never have to see again. That is, until the winery’s newest hire, Luke, walks in the next morning. Margot is determined to keep things purely professional, but when their every interaction reminds her of the attraction still bubbling between them, it proves to be much more challenging than she expects.
Luke Williams had it all, but when he quits his high-salary tech job in Silicon Valley in a blaze of burnout and moves back to Napa to help a friend, he realizes he doesn’t want to tell the world–or his mom–why he’s now working at a winery. His mom loves bragging about her successful son–how can he admit that the job she’s so proud of broke him? Luke has no idea what is next for him, but one thing is certain: he wants more from the incredibly smart and sexy woman he hooked up with–even after he learns she’s his new boss. But even if they can find a way to be together that wouldn’t be an ethical nightmare, would such a successful woman really want a tech-world dropout?
Set against a lush backdrop of Napa Valley wine country, nothing goes to your head as fast as a taste of love–even if it means changing all your plans.
Review: Drunk on Love is a contemporary romance novel that places in Napa Valley. This book explores the winery business, finding your identity, burn out, and joy. I love that each of her books focus on a certain place in California and was excited that this one takes place in Napa. Overall, I found this to be a decent read. I loved that it was a lighthearted, quick, and easy read. This was one of those instances where I loved the backdrop more than the characters. The characters were fine individually, but I was craving more depth and chemistry between the main characters. In terms of the narration, the day narration was done well and kept me engaged with the story. If you’re a fan of Jasmine Guillory’s previous books, you may enjoy this one.
Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 9/6/2022
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free advanced copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: Divorce attorney RJ would never describe herself as romantic. But when she ends up officiating an unplanned wedding for a newly engaged couple in a park, her life is turned upside down. The video of the ceremony goes viral, and she finds herself in the unlikely position of being a sought-after local wedding officiant. Spending her free time overseeing “I dos” isn’t her most strategic career move, but she enjoys it, except for the type A dude-bro wedding planner she’s forced to work with.
Former pro-football event manager Lear is a people person, but after his longtime girlfriend betrayed him, he isn’t looking for love. He knows how to execute events and likes being in control, so working with an opinionated and inflexible officiant who can’t stand him is not high on his list. He’s never had trouble winning people over, but RJ seems immune to his charms.
Surrounded by love at every turn, their physical attraction pulls them together despite their best efforts to stay an arm’s length apart. Lear refuses to get hurt again. RJ refuses to let herself be vulnerable to anyone. But when it comes to happily ever after, their clients might not be the only ones saying “I do.”
Review:Do You Take This Man is romance novel that has an enemies-to-lovers trope and explores wedding planning, vulnerability, friendship, and moving on. This book featured Britta’s best friend, RJ, and her love interest, Lear. The author addresses some heavy subjects: infidelity of a partner (in one of the main characters pasts) and death/abandonment of a parent (both in the past). I really loved the storyline of a wedding planner and wedding officiant going from enemies-to-lovers and working on weddings together while their relationship blossoms. The author did a great job diving into RJ and Lear’s pasts and the alternate perspectives. There were a few times where I was frustrated with each main character, but I understood why they were acting the way they were as the author slowly revealed their pasts. I loved that Britta and Wes made some appearances which was fun! I’d recommend picking up Do You Take This Man if you liked The Fastest Way To Fall and How To Fail At Flirting!
Asha Reads 