#hatemetakeme

Hate Me Take Me by Laura Bishop is the follow-up to Love Me Stalk Me and it absolutely delivered everything I didn’t know I needed. 🖤 Dark rom-com with a side of stalker energy and a deeply questionable AI boyfriend app? Sign me up immediately. 🙋‍♀️

I was obsessed from page one. 😩 The premise alone had me cackling, but Laura Bishop executed it in a way that was equal parts chaotic and genuinely emotional. Kade is unhinged in the best possible way — his determination to win Amanda back is so extra and I loved every second of it. 😭🖤 Amanda is not a pushover either, which made their dynamic so much fun to read. The tension, the slow burn of her figuring it out, the moments where you’re screaming at the pages — chef’s kiss. 🤌

I also want to note that I did not read book one, Love Me Stalk Me, before picking this up — and I had absolutely zero trouble following along. It reads perfectly as a standalone, so don’t let that stop you from jumping straight in! 📖✨

If you loved Lights Out vibes with a dark comedy twist, this one needs to be on your radar immediately. 🚨 Laura Bishop has cemented herself on my auto-buy list. 🖤

Thank you to Laura Bishop, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🖤

#crashintome

Okay, y’all — I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into Crash Into Me. After The Idea of You I thought I had a feel for Robinne’s world. I was so wonderfully wrong.

This book is something else. Yes, it’s a slow-burn, emotionally charged story about Cecilia — a photographer of Jamaican descent living in LA with her French film director husband, whose carefully constructed life starts to crack open in the most beautiful way. But it’s also so much more than that. It asks real questions about where women — especially women of color — fit in spaces that weren’t built for them, and it does it without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed.

As a long-time fan of Robinne’s, so much of this felt deeply personal. Those of us who have followed her for years, who know pieces of her life and her story, will feel her all over these pages — and that intimacy makes it hit even harder. I’ve had the privilege of meeting her, and she is genuinely one of the loveliest humans, which honestly makes loving her work that much easier.

The writing is gorgeous, the themes around race and identity and belonging are handled with such care, and the emotional gut-punches sneak up on you when you least expect them.

Robinne narrating her own work is going to be everything. I cannot wait for the audiobook to consume me.

This one is going to stay with me for a long time. Highly, highly recommend.

#thornbird

Thornbird by Elle Kennedy is a twisty YA thriller packed with secrets. 🖤🔍

Ryan Shipley returns to Starling carrying the darkest truth imaginable… she’s the daughter of a notorious serial killer. As the past begins clawing its way back, cryptic texts, buried clues, and shocking discoveries start piling up. And let me tell you… everyone is hiding something.

Ryan, Everett, and Chase are all tangled in a web of lies, and just when I thought I had the mystery figured out, another twist dropped. 😳

If you love thrillers full of secrets, small-town tension, and jaw-dropping reveals, Thornbird will keep you guessing until the very end. 📚🖤

#justforthecameras

Even though I’ve just finished reading Just for the Cameras and absolutely LOVED it, I am counting down the days to the audiobook like it’s a holiday on my personal calendar 🦩🎧

This book was just too fun, too flirty, and too chaotic in the best way not to experience again in audio form. Graydon’s broody energy and Maple’s sunshine chaos are living rent-free in my head, so hearing them actually come to life is going to be next-level magic.

And listen… I know what’s coming and I’m STILL hyped for the text convos and the muffin scene like they’re brand new 💀🧁💬

Meghan Quinn’s humor is already laugh-out-loud on the page, but in audio it turns into a full cinematic rom-com for your ears.

This is one of those rare books where rereading won’t feel like a repeat, it feels like unlocking a deluxe bonus level. Same flamingos, same banter, same swoon… just with voices, timing, and extra sparkle ✨💖

#ifyouclaimme

Helena Hunting serves up another hockey romance that’s equal parts heart, heat, and humor—and I could not stop grinning through this one.

Connor Grace—Toronto Terror bad boy, Flip’s sworn nemesis, and king of controlled chaos—just asked the small-town librarian to marry him. Dred (short for Mildred) never saw this plot twist coming, but when it’s to make his grandma happy… well, who can say no to a fake marriage with a man who looks that good in a suit?

It’s supposed to be all for show, but every time Connor calls her his “sweet wife,” we know Dred’s heart is melting right along with ours. And the way he insists on calling her Mildred—because no one else does—ugh, it’s intimate, teasing, and 100% swoon-worthy. Connor might be hockey’s most hated player, but for Dred, he’s all in.

I loved watching these two find their footing, especially when Flip (Dred’s bestie and Connor’s nemesis) finally buries the hatchet. The banter, the feels, the found family vibes—it’s all there. And can we talk about the Babe Brigade?! Those ladies are loyal, fierce, and absolutely hilarious. I want to be honorary member 😍, please and thank you.

🎧 Audiobook Notes:
Jason Clarke. Yummy perfection, as always. He definitely had me swooning. Kay Auden—new to me, but such a perfect match for Dred—nails the warmth, wit, and quiet strength of her character. Together, they make Connor & Mildred’s story pop with the kind of chemistry you can feel in your bones.

If you love fake marriages that turn real🔥, grumpy/sunshine energy, found family magic, and a hockey bad boy who only has eyes for his librarian—If You Claim Me is an absolute must.

#badbishop

I love a good mafia romance, and Bad Bishop delivers everything I crave—dark power struggles, dangerous chemistry, and a hero who’s as ruthless as he is unexpectedly soft.

Tiernan Callaghan is like a burnt marshmallow—all tough and crusty on the outside but gooey in the middle. He’s the head of the Irish mob, cold and calculated, but when it comes to Lila—the Camorra princess with a heartbreaking past—he’ll burn the world to protect her.

This book is dark and emotional, full of secrets, trauma, and revenge, but also flashes of vulnerability that hit hard. Both Tiernan and Lila have been through hell, yet somehow they find a way to love and heal in a world that doesn’t make room for either.

The audiobook is absolute perfection. Lucy Rivers brings so much heart and emotion to Lila, while Corvin King’s delicious Irish accent makes Tiernan even more addictive. 🫠 Together, they pull you straight into the grit and passion of this world—I couldn’t stop listening.🖤🔥

It’s brutal, beautiful, and completely addictive.

#ahatefulnegotiation

Tijan does it again! A Hateful Negotiation is a dark, slow-burn mafia romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Creighton is everything I love in a mafia hero—dangerous, ruthless, and a little unhinged (ok maybe a lot🫣)—but when it comes to Blake, he’s all in, protective to the point of obsession👀.

Blake just wants normal, but nothing about her life with Creighton circling her world is normal. The foster-sibling angle, the age gap, and all that back-and-forth tension made their story so addictive. Their “negotiation” really did feel like a battle of wills😬 And y’all the chemistry & tension between them is off the charts.

This book gave me everything I love in mafia romance—angst, obsession, loyalty, danger, and a love story that hits hard once those walls finally break down. Creighton and Blake are dark, messy, and unforgettable, and I loved every second of it.

#thelastsunrise

I am in love with Oriah & Julian. The Last Sunrise is a beautiful story of finding your soul mate and fighting to live the life you were scared to dream of. Julian & Ry both have obstacles to overcome but their dedication to each other is a beautiful thing. A beautiful story of desperation and the will to fight for for your truth & happiness.

#arcreader #hambrightpr #gallerybooks #

#betweennowandforever

Between Now & Forever is a heartwarming and engaging story that captures the beauty of second chances, new beginnings, and the power of love and resilience. The story follows Gabby, a single mom still healing from the loss of her ex-husband, and Jay, a man wary of relationships after being hurt in the past. Their paths cross when they move in next door to Jay, and despite Jay’s initial reluctance, fate intervenes to bring them together in unexpected ways.

One of the highlights of the story is Gabby’s two sons, Carter and Dylan. Carter, the youngest son, is sweetly naive and brings a sense of innocence and joy to the story. His endearing personality adds a touch of lightness and humor. On the other hand, Dylan, the older son, is struggling with the challenges of being a teenager in a new town and coping with the loss of his father. His journey towards healing and finding his place in the world isn’t an easy one and it takes him a while to ask for help and embrace change.

Addy’s talent for creating relatable characters and genuine relationships shines through in their story. The small-town setting adds an extra layer of warmth and charm to the story, making it even more engaging and heartfelt. The sense of community among the characters creates a backdrop of support and love for Gabby, Jay, and their family.

#howmyneighborstolechristmas

Ummm candy canes who knew?!

The audiobook will definitely keep you entertained & you may learn some new uses for Christmas candy 😜🥵🫠

Here’s my real review 😍

🎄If you’re ready to unwrap some holiday cheer, “How My Neighbor Stole Christmas” is the perfect listen! With a fabulous full cast of narrators, this story sparkles with wit and charm as Storee and Cole navigate their playful rivalry turned steamy romance. 🎅🏻

Y’all—the “narrator” is fabulously cheeky and he adds just the right amount of sass to the mix! 😏🎉 Whew🥵 there’s a super sexy candy cane scene that definitely brings the heat to this festive tale!

So, if you’re in the mood for a cheeky, fun, and oh-so-festive audiobook, grab your hot cocoa and press play! 📚☕️🎁 #HolidayReads #AudiobookJoy #CheekyChristmas #jinglemybells