I’m about as shocked as anybody that nearly half my books read this January are contemporary romance. This is in part due to my Keira Andrews obsession (and I’m behind in writing reviews for those). There are still a few monster and paranormal romance novels in there.
I felt a bit scattered this month with respect to my reading goals. I have several series I want to finish and some I want to start, and I didn’t get to any of those. I’ve been reading ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) through Netgalley and BookSirens which has contributed to my “shiny new thing” syndrome (although I have found a few new authors I love). But I did read a few books that were high up on my TBR and my writing craft book of the month was one I have been meaning to read for ages, so I’m pleased I got to it.
I’ve got a plan for next month that includes a handful of Valentine’s Day-themed reads, a smaller selection of ARCs, and a few for this year’s Mermay rec list. (Yep, I’m doing another round of mermaid and mermen recs, because I can’t get enough of them. If you haven’t checked out last year’s recs, you can find them here.)
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January Reads — Contemporary Romance
The Villain Edit by Sarah Brenton was my second book of the year and my first five-mango read. I loved this book so much! It’s an enemies-to-lovers fake dating road trip romance between reality TV bad girl Ash and Hollywood golden boy Gabe. They can’t stand one another but both need the publicity from their high-profile romance—to improve her reputation and give him an edge for a new role. I love an unlikable mc (but it’s so easy to empathize with Ash because of her vulnerability) and a redemption arc. Check out my full review here. (Btw, I loved this book so much that I bought the other two books in the series and signed up for the author’s newsletter.)
The Villain Edit by Sarah Brenton (Over the Top Love Book 3)
I easily reignited my Keira Andrews obsession with Kiss and Cry, the sequel to Only One Bed (and I couldn’t help myself, after I finished Kiss and Cry I went and reread Only One Bed). One of these days I’m going to do a review for both these books. But for now, what you need to know is that Only One Bed is a steamy and sweet holiday romance novella of the friends-to-lovers bisexual awakening variety that’s set in Canada. It features university student Sam and figure skater Etienne, whose Olympic dreams may be ending. Kiss and Cry is a rivals-to-lovers romance between figure skater Henry (Sam’s older brother) and his Olympic gold medal rival, Theo. This one had me feeling all the things, especially with the climax occurring at the Olympics (set in Calgary).
There are two more novels in this series, which I’m sure I will check out at some point in the future. One is a rivals-to-lovers ice skating romance with characters who appear briefly in Kiss and Cry, so naturally I’m intrigued and MUST read it.
Only One Bed by Keira Andrews (Love on the Ice)Kiss and Cry by Keira Andrews (Love on the Ice)
I’ll admit I was super tempted to reread Kiss and Cry after rereading Only One Bed, but I held off in favor of reading The Christmas Leap, book two of Keira Andrews’ Festive Fakes series (I read books one and three in December). Book one is still my favorite, but this one was an excellent fake dating, second chance, former friends-to-lovers, bisexual awakening holiday romance. A good chunk of this is set in Australia, which I enjoyed thoroughly, and there’s plenty of page time with my favorite eccentric billionaire and (inadvertent) matchmaker.
The Christmas Leap by Keira Andrews (Festive Fakes Book 2)
I keep a spreadsheet of every single book on my Kindle, and I mark high-interest reads with hot pink. I’d marked both of these with hot pink and I’m glad I got a chance to read them this month. The Flower Arrangement is a novella featuring Brendan, I shy florist, who uses the language of flowers to woo his oblivious hairdresser, Hugh. It’s a cute story, the spice is spicing, and I love the secret meanings of flower arrangements. I just wish we got a bit more of the story in the present time rather than as backstory.
I really enjoyed The Blindfold Date. It’s a second-chance romance between Ernesto, an autistic game designer, and his former uni crush Brian (Brendan’s brother) who he thought was straight. If I could use one phrase to describe this book, it’s ‘cozy BDSM.’ Those are the vibes and it’s awesome. Read my mini review here.
The Flower Arrangement by KC CarmineThe Blindfold Date by KC Carmine
January Books — Science Fiction
Enter the Multi-Vers by C. Rochelle (the fourth installment of her Villainous Things series) was hands-down my most anticipated read of the month and it did not disappoint (C. never disappoints!). Every book in this series is the perfect blend of plot, character, world-building, and exquisite spice. Enter the Multi-Vers is a MMM Superhero Romance between villainous telepathic twins Andre and Gabriel and a chaotic alien they want to interrogate (and for those of you concerned, there’s no ’cest — think of it as a Villain Sandwich). You can read my detailed review here (and if you’re new to the Villainous Things universe, you’ll want to start with the first book, Not All Himbos Wear Capes.) This series was one of my top reads of 2023 and C. Rochelle has become one of my favorite authors. I joined her Patreon this year and I love having early access to all the goodies.
Enter the Multi-Vers by C. Rochelle (Villainous Things Book Four)
Moon Dust in My Hairnet is another fantastic science fiction read set on the moon. This is J.R. Creaden’s debut and I’m so happy I got to read an ARC. Autistic lunar lunch lady Lane is grieving her sister, the great scientific inventor Faraday Tanner, while trying to find her place as the youngest and only non-genius member of the Lunar Trust One colony. This novel explores grief, polyamory, and found family amid a mystery and impending war (a megalomaniac is threatening to take over the world and the moon). It’s well done and I highly recommend it (the book releases April 19, 2024, and is available for preorder). You can read my full review here.
Moon Dust in My Hairnet by JR Creaden
High Fantasy
Another ARC I read this month was Ocean’s Blood by Thelma Mantey. Described as Captive Prince meets Interview with the Vampire, how could I resist? Overall, my feelings are mixed. I think fans of high fantasy will love it as it’s an original concept. The world-building is intense and I recommend doing your homework and reading the glossary first before diving in. I loved the concept behind this book, with powerful Singers who use their voices to enchant and win human battles, but they must use the voice of special slaves (called Thyds) to win against powerful demons. The Thyds are bound and completely dependent on the Singers and must drink their blood regularly or suffer terrible withdrawal symptoms.
Thelma Mantey’s writing style is evocative and she excels at description, however, I did find the story a bit slow in places. Also, this is book one in a duology, and while the overall story appears to be an MM romance, I would not classify book one as a romance. You can read my full review on Goodreads. I’m curious how the story will progress in book two.
Ocean’s Blood by Thelma Mantey (The Drowning Book 1)
Paranormal and Monster Romance
My bread and butter, paranormal and monster romance. No month would be complete without monsters and things that go bump in the night.
My first book of the year was Getting It On with Gargoyles by Hazel Mack, an alternate pen name for Anna Fury. I am such a huge fan of the Beautiful Nightmares series co-written by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza (you can find my reviews for those here, here, and here), so of course I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while now. So I read it, and I’m starting to come to the conclusion that cute monster romances might not be for me. I love Anna’s writing, but I think I prefer darker themes. But I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to those new to monster romance or to those who prefer a lighter, fluffier read (with all the spice). I loved the world-building, the enchanted town with sentient houses, and the triplets who go on a girls’ weekend (but end up with so much more). I’ve had Anna Fury’s Temple Maze series—which is much darker—on my TBR for ages too, so I think that’s the direction I’ll soon be headed.
Getting It On with Gargoyles by Hazel Mack (Haven Ever After Book 1)
You’re going to see a theme here. I chose another cute monster romance to ARC read, The Gargoyle Catch by Emily Cane. The cover was really cute and the blurb seemed fun, so I dove in. It’s about a succubus who doesn’t like sex (and consequently her life force is running out) and a man who’s been cursed to turn into a gargoyle whenever he becomes aroused. I loved the idea of this one so much, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.
CM Nascosta is one of my favorite monster romance authors. This year I signed up for her Patreon at the Applethorpe Manor Garden Club level, which means that I get an early access copy of every ebook she puts out this year (*jumps up and down and does a happy dance*). Shadows & Light was her first release this year and I LOVED it!!! It’s part of the Cambric Creek After Darkverse, which means it’s darker than the regular Cambric Creek series (and you should definitely check the trigger warnings page before diving in). This novella is a bodyguard romance between a female werewolf who can’t shift and a shadow creature who’s paid to watch over her by her errant (and horrible) fiance. You can read my mini review here.
Once I finished reading Shadows & Light, I had to dive into Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé, which also features a shadow creature. Harper, a witch expelled from the academy and drowning in grief after her father’s passing, moves back home with her overbearing mother. But she turns a corner when she happens upon a strange tea shop in downtown Cambric Creek. I really loved this book (I’ll likely do a full review soon). It’s a beautiful ode to grief, depression, and the resilience of the human spirit. It ends a bit abruptly, but the story is promised to continue in Hexennacht which releases this April. (You can find my full review here.)
Shadows & Light by CM Nascosta (Cambric Creek After Darkverse #2)Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé by CM Nascosta (Cambric Creek #4)
January Writing Craft Book of the Month
I have been meaning to read Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody for a very long time (and I mean a very long time — I purchased the book in September 2020!). But this month I did it! In my opinion, you can never read too many books or watch too many authortube videos on the craft of story structure. Everyone explains it a little bit differently and some explanations will resonate with you while others do not. Save the Cat Writes a Novel breaks down the three-act story structure into a fifteen-point beat sheet and goes over each plot point in detail. Then Jessica goes over the ten universal story genres (every story ever written will fall into at least one of these genres) outlining the essential ingredients for each genre and doing a deep-dive analysis of one popular book per genre as an example. There’s a section on how to craft dynamite pitches and blurbs, and finally, there’s a troubleshooting for authors section filled with nuggets of wisdom.
This is a book I’m going to come back to for reference again and again. I took detailed notes for each of the fifteen beats and I’ll come back to examine the universal genres as I revise my next writing project (which I’ve identified as a combination of “Dude With a Problem” and “Buddy Love”). I highly, highly recommend picking up a copy and keeping it in your writer toolbox.
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Final Thoughts:
I love doing these recaps because it’s like reliving the stories a second time. Even though I didn’t get to finish any of the series I’ve started and want to finish up this year, I read a lot of great books and discovered some new and new-to-me authors. So really, I can’t complain. I’m excited to dive into Valentine’s Day romances and back into mermaid books, and I’ve already picked out my writing craft book of the month for February: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King (another book that’s been on my TBR since fall 2020).
Happy Reading!
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