Another Kendall Ryan delight today in The Book Club Boyfriend!
Scarlett is a jaded author stuck in a rut, and when she goes on live TV to chat with Chase Remington, a pro hockey player, fans go wild and demand more. Chase leads a book club for the team for good PR, and now Scarlett is roped into participating.
This author is so good at creating tension between characters, and compared to the other title I read of hers this month (Checking It Twice), this one was far less spicy and far more slow burn, which is also really satisfying, just different.
One thing I found a little odd about this one is how far into their relationship we got. I’m wondering if Ms. Ryan was extra attached to these two characters, because they got about a million epilogues 🙂
You can’t really go wrong with Kendall Ryan. If you’re a fan of hockey romance or you like reading characters in the book industry, this one is a no brainer.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: The Book Club Boyfriend (Must Love Hockey #2) Author:: Kendall Ryan Genre:: Sports Romance Publisher:: Dream Press Length::352 pages Audio Length::7h 30m Audiobook Narrator:: Ryan West & CJ Bloom Published:: November 11th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
I have heard The Hating Game referred to out in the bookish ether for years, but never really thought ‘hey, that’s a book I really need to read’. What I haven’t seen is anyone specifically gushing about how phenomenally good this book is. I heard of it, but I didn’t see hype, if you get my meaning. Well, I saw it in an Audible sale at some point and grabbed it just to see, and finally got around to listening. Can I just say…
Let me be the hype.
Lucy is in the fight of her life every single day against Joshua. After a merger between their two publishing houses years ago, they work at the same level, in the same office, in perfect view of one another. He is the grumbling stick-in-the-mud manager, and she is a pathological yes-man. They’ve gotten under one another’s skin since the beginning and the only way they can be somewhat civil to one another is to turn everything into a game. Games based on their mutual hatred. Mean games. Games that have HR complaints flying back and forth. But…mostly civil. When a change in the company structure means only one of them can be promoted, a new kind of game begins, and this one will end in one of them resigning to end the nemesis olympics once and for all.
Holy crap. This book. This book! I was not prepared.
Lucy truly believes Josh loathes her, and she can’t understand why. She’s the ultimate people pleaser and I think that’s the root of her fixation on his behavior. But we all know why kids tease each other on the playground…
I absolutely got that warm tingly feeling that comes in all great romance novels. The feeling that keeps you flying through the pages wincing a little bit because you don’t really want to finish it. It’s a wild dichotomy. It has everything you could possibly want in a romance and does them so friggin well.
There is so much I could say about all the little moments, but I’m so conflicted! I don’t want to spoil anything for a new reader. Half of the magic is in the discovery! Just trust me when I say this book is required reading for any romance lover out there. I’m convinced this book could cure diseases. Probably.
If you’ve been sleeping on this book like I was, this is your sign to wake up and finally…metaphorically…smell(?) The Hating Game. You won’t regret it.
Details
Title:: The Hating Game Author:: Sally Thorne Genre:: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy Publisher:: William Morrow Length::365 pages Audio Length::12h 18m Audiobook Narrator:: Katie Schorr Published:: August 9th, 2016 The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
I love a book with a dual meaning title, and honey, this one’s got it. Does FMC have some daddy issues? Yes, yes she does. Is MMC a single dad? Yes, yes he is. And you may think ‘Issues’ here is an otherwise throw-away word, but you’d be wrong, because a big part of the story is FMC’s comic book collection, which is printed in issues. It couldn’t be more packed with meaning, and it’s just *chef’s kiss*.
Sam was betrayed by the pandemic. Slated to start a prestigious art history program after her masters, everything was cancelled and she’s been in a holding pattern ever since, slinging fancy cocktails at a tiki bar. Not the life she thought she’d be living at twenty-six. Then, Nick and his daughter move into the next apartment, and the incident is incited. Seeing him interact with his daughter brings up a lot of old hurts for Sam, who wanted so much to be enough to get her own father’s attention. But he moved to Florida years ago and all he left behind was his massive comic book collection for Sam to look after. She used to draw comics, to connect with him, but after getting some feedback that she was an imitationist and not a real artist, she quit. And it’s not implied in the title, but Sam has mommy issues, too.
Nick isn’t complicated. He has a long history of traveling in a rockstar lifestyle, and now his job managing a Chili’s seems like it’s holding him back, but his priorities shifted when he had his daughter Kira.
Anyway, he’s super hot, and they bang. A few times. And that’s hot too.
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. Sam’s voice is very strong snappy and made this a pleasure to read. I absolutely recommend you get this added to your spicy romance TBR, like, immediately.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: Daddy Issues Author:: Kate Goldbeck Genre:: Contemporary Romance Publisher:: Dial Press Length::352 pages Audio Length::9h 51m Audiobook Narrator:: Harley Quinn Smith Published:: November 18th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
For many, the holidays are a time of profound grief. This one is for you.
As someone who doesn’t read blurbs, I was not expecting the absolute beauty of this book. Grace and Henry are both widowers whose families are pushing them to get back out there and start living again, but neither of them are quite ready. Because when are you, ever?
Grief is a heavy blanket that surrounds this book. It is always there, in the low moments, and the high ones too. Grace had time to say goodbye to her husband, Tim. He died of cancer. But Henry did not. His wife left for a business trip and never came back home. We never know what lies ahead of us, and when our loved ones die, it is not just their lives that are cut short, but the lives we envisioned living with them for the rest of ours that dies, too.
It’s heavy stuff.
However. This book handles all of it with so much tact and realistic gravity with a dash of humor that feels so authentic. Grace is hilarious. She’s a live-wire who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and she has two young kids she has to get through this, too. Henry is more contemplative. His loss is more recent, and more raw because of the manner of her death and the days leading up to it. But through their odd and inevitable friendship, they both learn to heal and that there is still a life for them worth living for.
Ugh, this was a killer. I absolutely loved Matthew Norman’s writing here. The characters were beautiful and the world he crafts here is just immaculate. I can’t wait to dive into his backlist, because someone who can navigate the theme of grief so well is someone who knows how to craft the hell out of a story.
There is romance, too. But it is subtle and sometimes surprising. It is more about friendship and connection and honoring meaningful relationships. Henry’s friendship with Grace’s son Ian, for example, was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Wow, is all I can say. This book is a treasure.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon Author:: Matthew Norman Genre:: Holiday Contemporary Fiction Romance Publisher:: Random House Publishing Group Length::337 pages Audio Length::8h 43m Audiobook Narrator:: Alex Finke & Jay Myers Published:: October 14th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
Friends, I’ve found you a lovely, swoony, holiday romance that will warm you up better than a cup of hot cocoa. It’s Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan.
Clare works in PR for a hockey team in Dallas, and she’s really good at setting boundaries with those wild boys with her wit and sharp tongue. But as the holidays near, and Clare will be alone, again, it makes her a little reckless.
Mitchell Drake is heartbroken. Or at least, everyone thinks he is including his immediate family and his entire home town in Minnesota. He can’t seem to make them understand that he’s better off, so he comes up with an unconventional plan, but he can’t do it alone.
Clare would never do something so reckless and deceitful as fake date someone…except when she’s at an emotional rock bottom. But it’s okay, because even though he’s the hottest player on the team, they both understand what this is: temporary. Not real.
If you have ever like the fake dating trope or are a fan of sports romance, this is an automatic win for you. Kendall Ryan has mastered sizzling chemistry, and the character backstory work done here to make these two lovebirds into soulmates is phenomenal.
There was only one thing that kind of nagged at me and that was in the beginning chapters they all kind of ended the exact same way, restating the character’s weakening fortifications. Some of them felt pretty identical, and though it’s a satisfying way to end a chapter, so many in a row that were almost verbatim stood out to me.
Kendall Ryan is a master of her craft, and I can’t wait to read more of her work!
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: Checking it Twice (Must Love Hockey #3) Author:: Kendall Ryan Genre:: Holiday Sports Romance Publisher:: Dreamscape Media Length::343 pages Audio Length::7h 56m Audiobook Narrator:: Grayson Owens & Rose Dioro Published:: November 25th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Ana Huang’s Kings of Sin series continues to enthrall with its second installment, King of Pride. But be warned: this sexy tension-ridden series may only whet your appetite for debonair billionaires who know how to take charge.
Kai Young’s billionaire family business is on the verge of a vote for the new CEO. Though he is the natural choice to take over, he is not the only candidate. He’s never been more stressed, and who notices but the snarky colorful bartender at the billionaire’s club, Isabella. She’s drawn his attention since the day he met her in a way he’s not sued to. There is something about her, but how is the worst possible timing for a distraction.
Their romance is forbidden. She’s an employee of the club he’s a managing partner for. But their pull is magnetic. They try to be good, but fate continues to throw them together.
Though they have plenty of obstacles to overcome, the connection between them never really wavers, and I love that for them. There is a 3rd act crisis I won’t spoil, but it isn’t their feelings that fluctuate, but the circumstances. Kai is so confident in his feelings, and though he has every opportunity to be an absolute dick if he wanted to, he never does. Is it his pride that keeps him steady, or is he just an authentically good person?
He is so supportive of Isabella’s personal (and professional) crises – he goes above and beyond and then above even that for her. For me it was Isabella that was the weakness in this book. She is who she is, which is frankly king of wishy-washy. In this book she’s kind of making herself a victim. She has some trauma from her past, but her crisis with the book she’s determined to write just didn’t raise the stakes, and I didn’t care much about it. For that I have to deduct a star, and by the time I finish the series I suspect I may need to adjust that down to reflect my overall feelings.
No matter what, if you’re looking for a new sexy romance series to get into, this one is pretty satisfying so far!
Details
Title:: King of Pride (Kings of Sin #2) Author:: Ana Huang Genre:: Contemporary Romance Publisher:: Bloom Books Length::400 pages Audio Length::11h 18m Audiobook Narrator:: David Lee Huynh & Emery Erickson Published:: April 27th, 2023 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
The Burning Library by Gilly MacMillan is a fast-paced academic thriller that stretches back through history and tangles into two rival secret societies that aren’t afraid of a little murder.
Anya is special. If she has the proper amount of time to study something, to really absorb it, then she can recall it perfectly…forever. She recognizes it as an unfair advantage, but she can’t help it, and cracks the translation of a prestigious text no one had been able to before. With job offers coming in from every direction, she chooses a highly coveted position at St. Andrews in the Institute of Manuscript Studies.
Usually they would court a new hire longer before introducing them to the Institute’s benefactor, but with a dead body washing ashore, time is not something they have a lot of. Pressure is high, and action is the only way to get things done. There is an ancient mystery two factions are in a race to solve, and they’ll each do anything to achieve it.
Anya is caught in the crosshairs of this mystery, which has surprising ties to her own personal history. Things start to hit the fan quickly after she starts her work, and suddenly, she trusts no one. She moved to St. Andrews with her long-time boyfriend, and he’s the only one who seems to have her safety as a priority.
I have to say, the boyfriend was one of my favorite parts of this book. For once, a supportive, concerned ally for our protagonist!
There are a lot of threads to follow in this novel, and as many POVs. It really kept up the pacing, and added a lot of tension seeing the objective through many sets of eyes.
I really enjoyed this book! There is so much to hold your interest, and a satisfying ending to conclude it all. And look at that cover!
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: The Burning Library Author:: Gilly MacMillan Genre:: Academic Thriller Publisher:: William Morrow Length::304 pages Audio Length::9h 53m Audiobook Narrator:: Rose Robinson & Steph de Whalley Published:: November 18th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
Romy and Michelle meets AI – that’s the vibe of Sophie Cousens’ new release. I saw someone say they DNF’d this book in the before they even started because the author used ChatGPT to come up with an epigraph for the book. A book about AI. Not written WITH AI (except, apparently, for that small bit in the epigraph). Fam, this is not the way. I did read it, and in usual Sophie Cousens fashion, it had a lot of great themes that give you something to chew on.
Chloe is not making the best decisions right now. She’s working as a P.A. loosely in the industry she always dreamed of dominating, but she hasn’t. Not even a little bit. And now her Oxford school reunion is coming up, and she knows for sure some of her classmates are off doing amazing things, including her former best friend-almost boyfriend Sean. She’s feeling the pressure, and when a random acquaintance gives her the name of a matchmaking place who guarantees compatibility, she decides she just might try it. Because faking a great life is better than just being honest, right? *eyeroll*
Romy and Michelle are actually mentioned in this book, because that is the exact plot here. We meet the famous Sean, and her other good friend from those times, John. And we meet Rob, the man she got matched with through the super shady company that required about a million water-tight NDAs. Turns out Rob is a rob…ot. ROBOT. He’s handsome and charming and knowledgeable and can make great conversation. He’s good. Almost too good.
The themes here are something we all need to be contemplating in the age of…whatever this is we’re in. Social media has had us playing the comparison game on steroids for far too long. We are more concerned with our reputation and outward image than we are with what makes us happy, what actually fulfils us. And now in the age of burgeoning AI, ‘progress’ in that area is going down even more. We’ve lost a certain part of humanity to these computers. We’re letting the analytical side of our brains win far too much, when arguably what makes us human is the philosophical side. The side that dreams. Our creativity.
I recommend you read past the AI epigraph, and skip the chapter of binary code (I wonder if you plugged that into the computer if it would reveal a hidden chapter or something) – to get the real heart of a meaningful story of a girl who learns some of life’s toughest lessons the hard way.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: And Then There Was You Author:: Sophie Cousens Genre:: Contemporary Romance Publisher:: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Length::352 pages Audio Length::9h 10m Audiobook Narrator:: Kerry Gilbert Published:: November 18th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is a fascinating, captivating, historical – sci-fi – romance – adventure – thriller. Ha. It’s a mashup of multiple genres that will have you enthralled and delighted and leaving you wondering what-if…
A young woman begins a highly secretive new job with the Ministry of Time. She is tasked with working with a specific time refugee named Graham Gore, who was rescued just before his historic death, to acclimate him to their ‘modern’ time. The shock of moving from 1847 and learning the fate of everyone and the world itself you knew, and knowing you can never return is quite the shock. There is a lot he needs to learn, and he has a lot of questions.
This book is exactly what you want in a sci-fi novel. Through an undeniably clever premise, so many ideas are introduced that will have you scrunching your brow in thought. Through a historical lens, is our modern society as advanced as we think? Or are there things we have unwittingly lost through the ages by our constant innovations and moral superiority? Methinks there has done.
Whenever one plays with time, things are bound to get messy. What begins as a thoughtful, contemplative book quickly turns into a mystery thriller with an unknown danger in pursuit of our beloved characters. Something bigger is happening, and there’s not much time to figure out what.
This book is immaculate. I loved every minute of it. I’d love recommendations of books with a similar vibe. I know I’ll be returning to The Ministry of Time many times over the years. Absolutely brilliant. I’ll be keeping my eye on Kaliane Bradley!
Details
Title:: The Ministry of Time Author:: Kaliane Bradley Genre:: Sci-Fi / Historical / Thriller Publisher:: Simon & Schuster Length::339 pages Audio Length::10h 22m Audiobook Narrator:: George Weightman & Katie Leung Published:: May 7th, 2024 The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
Mona is always overlooked. In a busy family with twin boys less than a year older than she is, their parents were always too exhausted for her to get any one-on-one attention. She learned never to stick out, never to rock the boat, to be nice and easy and invisible, the way everyone wanted her to be. She still does, in a way, as a writer at a travel magazine. She’s done her duty for years while being overlooked for the job she wants the most: International travel.
Finally, she gets the opportunity to go to Iceland – all the other international writers are on other trips, and the magazine has the opportunity to work with one of the best photographers around. The problem is, she knows him. She knows him very well. In fact, he’s the boy she grew up with, fell in love with, the only one who ever saw her. So she thought, before he shattered her heart into a million pieces. Now, if she wants the job she’s always dreamed of, she’s got to go on this picturesque trip with him. But can they go the whole week without confronting their past?
Ben walking back into her life brings up a lot of repressed emotions from Mona. Not only from their own relationship, dynamic, and drama, but of the way she was back then. She knew him forever. They lived a few houses down, and they were in the same class starting in kindergarten. He knows her, he knows her family, he’s friends with her parents, and he’s the perfect person to bounce these feelings off of.
She felt a little bit manic almost, at times. She would bring things up with Ben, he would be a great and sympathetic listener-then she would shut down and act like he somehow was the one bringing this stuff up. But it was her. Every single time. Ben wanted to talk about the big stuff, but he never once pushed her. He just said (paraphrased) ‘we need to talk about this before we’re done with this trip’, and she ran away from it every single time. The snip-snap of it all was a little frustrating. However, it wasn’t a deal breaker, it just made me not like Mona so much.
I love second chance romance stories as long as they have a justified break, genuine misunderstandings that AREN’T just a bad miscommunication trope, and I was overall very pleased with this one. The backstory was interesting and had a lot of depth, and these two characters really seemed to love each other, both then and now.
It’s also a destination/travel romance, did I mention? There are lots of scenes of fun and adventurous activities in Iceland.
Another worthwhile romance from Berkley! I will be interested in following Megan Oliver to see what she comes up with next. I smelled a sequel featuring one of Mona’s brothers, but time will tell!
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: Secret Nights and Northern Lights Author:: Megan Oliver Genre:: Contemporary Romance Publisher:: Berkley Length::384 pages Audio Length::10h 44m Audiobook Narrator:: Brittany Pressley Published:: November 18th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
