I finally read my second Beverly Jenkins novel! Night Song is all about the romance between the young teacher Cara Lee Henson and the handsome, capable Sergeant Chase Jefferson. While Cara does her best to resist the temptation to give in to Chase, and while Chase insists he cannot commit to a true relationship while still working with the cavalry, there’s an undeniable connection between them that’s just begging for them both to take that leap into the unknown together. This was the pick for January for the Historical Hellions book club, and I’m glad because it was a lovely romance to start the year with! The setting (a small town in the Western US), the meddling and extremely nosey (but usually well-meaning) neighbors, and the situations that presented themselves due to the town dynamics reminded me a lot of similar books I’d read as a kid. But what set this one apart was the sweet romance that blossoms between these two stubborn individuals. I appreciated that both Cara and Chase were very strong-willed and independent, though I was constantly shaking my head at their lack of proper communication when they needed it most. It was delightful to watch them eventually give in to their feelings for each other! I’ll admit that I didn’t necessarily love the latter portion of this book, as it does get a little too heavy on the drama for my tastes. But still, overall, Night Song was another solid romance from this author.

Pub Info: July 1, 1994 by Avon | Add it on Goodreads

A Notorious Vow was my first historical romance novel by Joanna Shupe, and I can confidently say that it’s definitely not going to be my last! In this novel, Lady Christina Barclay and her family have arrived in New York in disgrace, and she must quickly secure a wealthy husband to improve her family’s future. Enter Oliver Hawkes, her handsome neighbor and an inventor, and cue the platonic marriage that will save Christina from an intolerable suitor her parents have their eye on. The agreement is that their marriage is temporary, as Oliver is deaf and his focus is on the revolutionary device that could aid him and others like him. But neither of them counted on the fact that something more could spark between them… A Notorious Vow is charming! And the romance certainly had a refreshing dynamic between our main couple, as well as plenty of moments worthy of swooning and others that broke my heart. I really liked both Oliver and Christina (although the latter did have a tendency to be a touch too naïve in a number of instances), and could easily see how they brought out the best in each other. But, admittedly, A Notorious Vow isn’t perfect either as the latter portion of the story devolves into over-the-top drama and a villainous character straight out of those old cartoons where a damsel in distress is tied to the train tracks. While I didn’t particularly mind that too much, it did take away from the lovely start this story had just a touch. Still, A Notorious Vow was a lovely, easy to devour romance, and I’m eager to check out more of Shupe’s work.

Series Info: The Four Hundred #3 | Pub Info: September 25, 2018 by Avon | Add it on Goodreads

I’m happy that I finally read The Highwayman, as it was my first experience with Kerrigan Byrne! This complicated romance is between Dorian Blackwell, a ruthless, wealthy and influential man that will stop at nothing to seek revenge and get what he wants, and Farah Leigh Mackenzie, a beautiful widow who is keeping a powerful secret that could threaten her life. Farah accepts Dorian’s scandalous proposal to wed him for her protection in exchange for him using her secret to exact revenge on his enemies. But it turns out that there may be more that ties them together. And maybe, just maybe, Farah will be the one to help Dorian discover that he still has a heart underneath that villainous persona he puts on for the rest of the world. To be completely frank, I wasn’t initially into the story and was concerned I’d wind up not liking it in the end. But the way that Byrne writes is compelling, and she eventually reeled me in a way where I couldn’t untangle myself until I found out how it would all come together. I ended up appreciating many elements of this story: the various characters we spend time with, the action and mystery, the angst, heart and humor. It came together very well in the end! While I don’t think I loved this one as much as some of my friends do, it was definitely a solid start to a series. I’m definitely curious to see who the other books in the series are about in the future too.

Series Info: Victorian Rebels #1 | Pub Info: September 1, 2015 by St. Martin's Press

A Phở Love Story is a charming YA contemporary debut from author Loan Le about two teens – Bao and Linh - from rival families that run Vietnamese restaurants across the street from one another. It’s been years since the pair interacted, but they reconnect when a restaurant emergency and a school paper assignment bring them together. In the face of their growing feelings for one another, they decide that they need to uncover the real reason for the enmity between their families. But this isn’t the only thing that threatens their newly budding relationship, as both Bao and Linh have to grapple with familial expectations for their futures. A modern-day tale with a pinch of Romeo and Juliet vibes, a dash of coming-of-age struggles, a sweet romance, and a generous amount of Asian-American (specifically Vietnamese-American) culture and family dynamics sprinkled in? A Phở Love Story has all of the above! I enjoyed it a lot and for two specific reasons: first, it was very compelling (though it leans towards ‘slice of life’ and internal character struggles versus a lot of action) and second, I related so much to both the main characters (especially when it came to their family dynamics and emotional honesty). It also was just the right mix of sweetness and angst when it came to all the relationship conflicts. (But I think Le specifically resolves the familial conflict in a way that matched the drama but also didn’t diminish the authenticity of the feelings harbored by both families.) All in all, this debut was a delightful read!

Pub Info: February 9, 2021 by Simon & Schuster BYR | Add it on Goodreads

It’s always a lovely experience to pick up a novel by a new-to-you author and discover that you click immediately with their writing style and that, friends, is exactly what happened to me with Amelia Unabridged. I knew from the first couple of lines that I was going to devour this story – and that’s exactly what happened! Before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you a little bit about what it’s about (though it’ll be the bare minimum since I didn’t know much before going into it myself and that worked in my favor). This is a story about Amelia, who is wrestling with the void of grief and confusion left behind by the abrupt loss of someone she cares very deeply about, and how stories (and a specific book series) play a role in her journey towards making sense of her feelings & future. It’s a beautiful tale, complemented by Schumacher’s lovely, lyrical writing and the way she weaves melancholy and magic into the narrative. I appreciated reading yet another perspective on how one might handle grief and loss through the experiences Amelia had, though I’ll objectively admit that the whimsy, the air of destiny and the budding romantic connection that provides colorful background detail might not work for all readers as well as it did for me. I also really liked how Schumacher incorporated the magic and importance of stories and storytelling into her work. Stories can offer so many things to readers – an escape, comfort, a connection, perspective – and this theme is something I could get behind. Amelia Unabridged ended up being the good sort of reading surprise, and I look forward to whatever Schumacher releases next. (I also wanted to mention that, while this is a YA book, I strongly related to it as an adult reader and that’s probably because of my own personal life experiences.)

Pub Info: February 16, 2021 by Wednesday Books | Add it on Goodreads

I’ll fully admit that the mention of the Northern Lights (a natural phenomenon I’ve always found fascinating) was the reason that I wanted to read The Wide Starlight. Luckily, this YA debut ended up being a pretty good read! The novel centers around Eline Davis who, as a child growing up in Svalbard, saw her mother whistle for the Northern Lights and get swept away like Artic legend said. Years later, Eli sees a chance to reach out to her mother when the Northern Lights make an appearance over her current hometown of Cape Cod for a night. But the consequences of being reunited with her mother are too large and magical to be ignored for long. When her mom disappears again to set things right, all she leaves behind is a note asking Eli to find her again. With dangerous magical things shaking up the foundation of the world she knows, Eli travels back to Svalbard to put this mystery at rest once and for all. This novel is yet another tale where the main character grapples with grief, loss, abandonment, and anger with a fantastical aspect woven in, and it worked well overall. I liked that this felt like reading a modern fairytale with all the whimsy and lore woven in, as well as the incorporation of stories within the story itself. I also appreciated the unique setting (I’ve never read anything set in Svalbard, and it worked out perfectly that I read this when we had a winter storm), the complicated family dynamics, and the slower slice-of-life plot. Sadly, I didn’t connect to Eli or any other character on an emotional level which lessened my enjoyment of this read a touch. But I do think this is a solid YA debut, and I’m glad I read it!

Pub Info: February 16, 2021 by Razorbill | Add it on Goodreads

It's time for more Adventures in Anime! My best friend Rachel & I team up for this collaboration where we pick out an anime, watch it together and then answer a series of questions about it for the blog. Since we did a rewatch for Sailor Moon the last time around (my series thoughts and my favorites), we had to pick a new anime to try together. On a whim and because it had been on my Netflix queue for a while, I suggested we give Your Lie in April a shot. Luckily, we both ended up loving it!

Summary & Brief Thoughts: I have a soft spot for shojo anime, but Your Lie in April was especially appealing from the start because music plays such a large role in the story. It follows a young man named Kōsei Arima, a piano prodigy who swept all the competitions as a child but who lost his ability to hear piano notes after his mother's sudden death. Two years after he's given up the piano, he crosses paths with Kaori Miyazono, a talented young violinist who lives by her own rules. Her vibrancy & free spirit clashes with Kōsei's withdrawn & rule-following self, and she refuses to allow him to avoid the piano any longer. Together with the help of supportive family & friends, Kōsei & Kaori's musical journey together is quite the tale! It's definitely a series that hooked me with the first episode with its character introductions, and the immediate sense it gives that there is more to the plot that will be revealed as the series goes on. I loved all the different classical pieces included in the episodes, the way that music (and the different relationships the characters have with music) is portrayed and it's the art style itself is lovely. Macky & I devoured this series very easily and it made us both very emotional from the beginning.

Favorite Character(s): I'm going to pick both Kōsei & Kaori. These two are such polar opposites in personality, as I've already mentioned, but they form a connection because of their mutual love of music & how it's a form of emotional expression for them both. Their relationship (and the way they push and pull at each other and encourage each other to grow) is really what carries the show.

Favorite Episode: The series finale "Spring Wind" is my absolute favorite! It's such a beautiful way to wrap up the entire series. It broke my heart and made me cry, but it also pulled me back together and left me feeling hopeful for what comes next for some of our characters.

Favorite Scene(s): There are three scenes I really love, so I'm just going to share all of them with you because I can! The first scene is the first time that Kōsei & Kaori perform together, which starts out well, turns into a mess and then somehow sticks the landing in an incredible way. The second scene is the time that Kōsei performs with his student (who happens to be the little sister of a guy who considers him a rival) at a school, and it's mostly because of how they both have a message they want to get across to the person they hope is listening. And the third scene is the last performance Kōsei gives in the series because it was beautiful and emotional.

Favorite Quote(s): "In the face of adversity, that's when you know someone's the real deal or not. You wanna know why? Because the stars shine at night." (This is from episode 13.)

Favorite Setting: There's a bridge nicknamed "Courage Bridge" that is the site of a few important scenes in the anime. I love the whole idea of this bridge and what it represents for our characters.

Favorite Kiss: There's actually no kiss in this anime, but I didn't mind that because it seemed pretty fitting for their relationship in particular.

I love a sweet contemporary romance. And Coming Up Roses was a delight! Tess loves her job working at the Longbourne Flower Shop, which is perfect in every respect (including her boss, Mrs. Bennet!). But things are turned on their head when the Bennet siblings all end up at home to help save the flower shop, including Luke Bennet (the playboy jerk that she definitely doesn’t have a crush on). I’m sure seasoned romance enthusiasts can see where this one is going, so I’ll leave it at that! But Coming Up Roses was such a lovely read. It has a charming setting (that being primarily a flower shop in New York City that I totally wish existed because I would 100% be a regular visitor) and a lovable cast of characters (including a large family and a great support system in the form of a widower father and a great best friend), which are two things that enhance any rom-com read in my eyes. But the romance is definitely what sealed the deal on my enjoyment! I enjoyed both Luke and Tess (though I did shake my head at their choices at times), and it was sweet to watch their budding romance blossom (and yes, floral pun intended). It was easy to allow myself to go along for the ride towards their happily ever after, and it was a pleasant surprise to realize that Hart was writing certain plot points in ways I hadn’t anticipated (but fully appreciated). I definitely enjoyed Coming Up Roses and intend to read the rest of the series as well!

Series Info: Bennet Brothers #1 | Pub Info: August 1, 2019 by the author | Add it on Goodreads

My friend DJ is the person who convinced me to pick up Boyfriend Material, and I’m so glad that I did (even though it took me months to finally read it, oops). This is a delightful romance that centers around an agreement made between Luc, the son of two former rock stars who gets caught in a compromising photo, and Oliver, a nice normal barrister, to fake date to repair Luc’s reputation and ensure Oliver has a date to an upcoming big event. But what happens when the guy you’re fake dating is someone you’re falling for… for real? I honestly thought that Boyfriend Material was going to be fun; a lovely, entertaining romance that would get my mind off the stress of real life. But I was surprised to discover that it not only brought me joy, and made me swoon, but it also tugged at my heartstrings at unanticipated moments. I’ll admit that the story set-up (specifically the hilarious specificity of the shenanigans that ensue and the character work) feels overexaggerated in the way that many rom-coms do. But there was something honest about the way Luc and Oliver are both portrayed, especially when it comes to their internal struggles, and that is what drew me to the two of them. It was all too easy to see the ways in which they were good for each other, and that made it possible for me to really root for their happily ever after. And, at the end of the day, that’s really what I look for in my romance reads: a couple that I’m emotionally invested in as individuals and as a pair that deserves their happily ever after. Boyfriend Material was a wonderful, diverting read (listen, actually, since I did audio for this one)!

Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel The Switch alternates between two perspectives: Eileen (nearly 80, newly single and wanting a second chance at love) and Lena (her overachieving, overstressed granddaughter). When Lena learns of her grandmother’s predicament and is ordered to take a two month sabbatical from work, she proposes that they swap places for two months. Lena will take a break and take over her grandmother’s duties in rural Yorkshire, while Eileen lives in London and looks for love. It sounds simple enough, but neither woman is expecting the complications (good and bad) that ensue as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. Honestly, The Switch is the epitome of charming. Not only does it remind me a little bit of one of my favorite films (The Holiday, if you must know), but it also reminded me of other British women’s fiction that I’d read in the past in the best way. This was one of those cozy reading experiences where it was so easy to get immersed in the story, especially with the slice of life feels that it had. The story hooked me right from the get go, and I was happy to be carried along on the current of the plot as the tale went on in a way that felt very natural and without expectations. I also really enjoyed getting to know Eileen and Lena, as well as the family, friends and neighbors that surrounded them in both locales. I had an absolute ball listening to the narration for this story (and could totally see it being optioned for film, so someone get on that already)! I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

I am so, so, so excited to be sharing this post with all of you today! In collaboration with and with my gratitude to the team over at Simon Teen, I have the honor of revealing not one, not two, but four post cards illustrated by artist Cassandra Jean and inspired by Chain of Iron, the second book in Cassandra Clare's series The Last Hours (and one of my most anticipated releases for 2021, out specifically on March 2).

Chain of Gold was one of my favorite 2020 reads, and I've been dying to read the sequel ever since I finished it for the first time! In case you haven't heard of this series or have yet to read the first book, you can find out more about it in the dedicated book review I did for it. Otherwise, I'll be sharing more information about the sequel Chain of Iron, exclusively revealing the four new postcards and giving five (5) lucky winners (US addresses only, I'm afraid) the chance to acquire a full set of the four prints of their very own.

Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.

Learn more and read an except at RivetedLit.com.

You can also check out this excellent Chain of Iron table read!

I'm truly honored to be revealing these four new postcards for Chain of Iron, illustrated by Cassandra Jean (who has done so much incredible art for the Shadowhunters universe). I'm really excited to find out exactly what moments are depicted, and also stunned at how striking these characters I do so love and care for look! The first one is my favorite, though I do love them all. Again, all art is attributed to the incredibly gifted Cassandra Jean. (You can find more of her work here!)

I'm seriously so excited about this new art, and I hope you are too! I'm also dying to know just what is going on for this generation of Shadowhunters (who I love very dearly), so thank goodness we only have a month more to go before the book is finally out! And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! As mentioned, thanks to Simon Teen, I have the opportunity to give away five (5) sets of these four new postcard prints today. This is only open to US addresses, and all you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below.