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
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
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
When your guy-for-now blatantly cheats on you at a party, you get your revenge by fake-dating your billionaire boss. Obviously. Except you’ve had a thing for said billionaire boss for awhile, and he’s a hot single dad with a compassionate heart. It might be hard not to get caught up in the illusion.
Lauren Blakely is so good at these trope-stuffed romance novels. This is the kind of book you go to when you want a guaranteed romance knockout that isn’t that deep, but will hit you right in the feels every time.
Throw in some holiday cheer, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
If you’re a fan of fake dating, I think this is one you’re going to like. It’s a hard trope to pull off, in my opinion, but Blakely is a pro and handles it well.
This steamy and spicy romance will keep you warm on those cold winter nights!
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:: My Favorite Holidate (How to Date #5) Author:: Lauren Blakely Genre:: Holiday Romance Publisher:: Atria Length::384 pages Audio Length::13h 22m Audiobook Narrator:: Full Cast Published:: October 15th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Sadie Sheridan almost gave up on finding the one. But then, in her 40s, she fell in love with another professor at her university. Felix. He’s smart, and quirky, and sweeps her off her feet. Once they’re married, he sweeps her off to the remote mountain cabin he grew up in. Then, he disappears.
Sadie is alone, and terrified. Winter is coming, and her husband should be home from his conference by now. It’s her first time in a place like this, and she doesn’t know the first thing about life on the mountain.
Then one of the trail cam’s picks something up. A shadowy figure in the woods, and it’s headed for her property.
Where He Left Me is masterful suspense novel. Every sentence is dripping with mystery and tension and I had no idea where the story was going. I wouldn’t have been surprised at anything with how much tension was set up in this book. What ended up happening though, was a very endearing story of strength, determination, and mama bear energy.
There were a few things that bothered me, ultimately, which is why I’ve rated it four stars instead of five. I don’t want to spoil anything though, so I will keep them to myself. Was it still worth reading though? Absolutely. Especially in these new dark days of fall/early winter, this is the perfect type of book to curl up with and get lost in the suspense!
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:: Where He Left Me Author:: Nicole Baart Genre:: Suspense Thriller Publisher:: Atria Books Length::336 pages Audio Length::11h 36m Audiobook Narrator:: Amanda Dolan Published:: November 4th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
I’ve been a massive fan of Clare Gilmore since I read Perfect Fit last year. That book is *chef’s kiss*. I don’t know what it is about books about music that kind of turn me off, but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying her newest release, Never Over.
Here we have another wonderful second chance romance. Paige is a songwriter living in Tennessee who is struggling to break into the industry. Her big break comes with a music exec finally comes by to listen to her tunes. He realizes she’s a phenomenal talent for melody, but her lyrics don’t quite hit the way they could. That’s not a surprise to her, considering her heart has been walled off ever since her catastrophic breakup with Liam.
She’s not too proud to go to him and ask if they can strike up a new fling so she might be inspired again, the way he once inspired her.
I’m not the greatest fan of the setup here, however, I can appreciate that this is the fake dating trope without actually being fake dating. I love Liam for laying out in their rules that this is real. He can’t fake it with her. But they will leave the end date a nebulous thing. Whatever happens, happens. So, basically, like any relationship. It’s a risk. Things might light up, they might burn to the ground.
We’re taken back and forth between the present timeline, with Paige trying to write new music and lyrics, and the past, when writing music was only a hobby and her best friend was Liam the baseball pitcher extraordinaire, not Liam the roadie.
The connection between the two of them is inevitable. They’re electric, which is my favorite thing to find in a romance novel. Especially their physical connection, wink wink. Yes, there is some spice here. But they both have some issues to work through, both in past and present timelines, in order to lock in for the long haul.
In conclusion! I very much enjoyed this book (though it hasn’t quite knocked Perfect Fit from the number one spot). If you’re looking for a tension laden romantic story to hold you over – this one is a great choice!
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:: Never Over Author:: Clare Gilmore Genre:: Contemporary Romance Publisher:: St. Martin’s Griffin Length::352 pages Audio Length::10h 52m Audiobook Narrator:: Carly Robins Published:: October 28th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
I have to say I never expected to see Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan on the same book cover. Like, ever. But here we are, with their new co-authored supernatural thriller, Remain. My early 2000s millennial heart was pumped for this.
What an interesting story!
Tate came to town to help an old friend from college design his house. He’s an award-winning architect, and he’s just coming back to work after an extended leave due to health related issues. He’d stay with his friends if they didn’t have a million kids and a cramped space, so instead, his friend rented out an old house in town.
The house has a history, and so does Tate.
While he’s staying there, he strikes up an acquaintanceship with one of the other lodgers, who fascinates him. Not only her personality and strange beauty, but the fact that when he mentions her to his friend, he is skeptical. There’s no one else staying at the house. He rented out the whole thing.
While this story didn’t necessarily feel ground-breakingly original (something I think we’ve all come to expect from M. Night Shyamalan), it was almost preternaturally compelling. As a storyteller, it fascinates me how I was propelled through the story so well when there wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking conflict pulling us through. There’s a mystery, yes, but it wasn’t necessarily a frantic thing. The next time I read this, it will be with a closer eye for the storytelling elements employed to make this work so well! I think it was a combination of M. Night Shyamalan’s careful revelations, and Nicholas Sparks’ powerhouse skill of weaving a compelling narrative out of occasionally mundane events.
It’s a really good book to pick up if you’re a fan of character driven stories, supernatural elements, or murder mysteries. There are some somewhat dark moments, but this is not a horror novel. I really enjoyed it!
Let me also mention here that if you have not seen M. Night Syamalan’s movie Signs with Mel Gibson, Juaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, and Abigail Breslin — go watch it. It is required watching. My husband and I recently watched it, me for the first time in years, him for the very first time, and it HELD UP. Talk about powerful storytelling!
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:: Remain Author:: Nicholas Sparks & M. Night Shyamalan Genre:: Supernatural Thriller Publisher:: Random House Length::352 pages Audio Length::8h 55m Audiobook Narrator:: Ari Fliakos, Julia Whelan, & Nicholas Sparks Published:: October 7th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Philippa Gregory is a master of crafting intriguing political intrigue out of real-world figures from Tudor English history. Does she take liberties? Experts say a resounding yes (and I am certainly not that-I believe them). Does that matter? Not in a work of fiction, friends! In fact, all the better for it!
Her skill is in creating worlds where historical figures feel like real, whole people. Even royalty! In this book you will find romance, treachery, cunning, connections, and an ultimate fate you probably won’t see coming (unless you know your obscure historical figures well).
Jane Howard/Boleyn was perhaps a background character to these histories overall, but she had a front row seat to King Henry VIII’s matrimonial drama, and had a position of influence on all the wives she served. The sister-in-law of Anne Boleyn, she started serving Henry’s wives in 1533 when he married her, and kept on serving them until nearly the bitter end, somehow dodging the disaster of the other Boleyn’s. She was a professional courtier, trained from a very young age to always have eyes open and secrets close, by the infamous Thomas Cromwell. Fascinating.
A Philippa Gregory novel is never boring, and this was no exception. I’ll read anything she puts out!
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:: Boleyn Traitor (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #11) Author:: Philippa Gregory Genre:: Historical Fiction Publisher:: William Morrow Length::496 pages Audio Length::19h 29m Audiobook Narrator:: Gemma Whelan Published:: October 14th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Put yourself in the shoes (or lack of them) of our ancestors. Those tribes of people who came before us. Living in rudimentary societies, living off of the land, shaping the most basic of industries we still have at the foundations of our current societies. What were they like? What was important to them? What did they think about and care about and love? We have so few scraps of information about them, and even less context for who they were and how they lived. Stone circles, for example, in the hills of Great Britain.
In Ken Follett’s newest novel Circle of Days, he explores a possible answer to those questions with several groups of people who lived back then, and left a monument behind that would outlast them, their children, and for many generations beyond. Their most ingenuitive accomplishment that took major feats of persuasion, teamwork, and problem solving the likes their tribes had never before imagined.
What a story.
The world that Follett paints in this novel is colorful and realistic and obviously based in extensive research (considering the plausibility), and also incredibly creative. He uses the vehicle of these ancient times to discuss many attributes of human nature from cruelty, spiritualism, education, control, and love.
The novel follows several casts of characters from different societies: herders, farmers, and forest folk who gathered. In the book they are quite separate, with their own beliefs, cultures, and structures, usually coming together on certain ceremonial days throughout the year. There is a flint miner, a priestess, a herder, a farmer, men and women, powerful and weak. It’s a grand scope of a novel with life and death, sorrow and love, triumph and tragedy.
I loved it, and I’m happy to have so many of Ken Follett’s backlist still to enjoy. If you like historical fiction, you are in for a treat with this one.
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:: Circle of Days Author:: Ken Follett Genre:: Historical Fiction Publisher:: Grand Central Publishing Length::704 pages Audio Length::19h 13m Published:: September 23rd, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
I’ve heard only good things about Hannah Bonam-Young, so I was curious to experience her writing for the first time with People Watching. Now on the other side of it, I can say I get the hype.
This book brings together a retired teacher who has Alzheimer’s disease’s caregiver daughter with one of her former art students who is only back in town for an S.O.S. his brother sent out. They are completely different. Milo is a world traveler and so far has loved widely but never deeply. Prue is a responsible small town girl with no worldly experience, who holds onto the relationships in her life with both hands. I found the union of these two characters lovely and surprising and the bond they forged through their small town adventures together was steamy and genuine and lovely.
All elements of the plot were handled well and adequately tangled and inter-woven, which tells me this author has a great handle on her craft. There were plenty of scenes handled with such tenderness, and the unfolding of the two hearts at play was just so swoony and satisfying.
The spice in this book is quite spicy, and there’s plenty of it, so if you’re sensitive to that, this book is probably not for you.
Personally, I look forward to reading the rest of Hannah Bonam-Young’s novels, and I’ll surely be keeping an eye out for her work in the future.
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:: People Watching Author:: Hannah Bonam-Young Genre:: Contemporary Romance Publisher:: Dell Length::352 pages Audio Length::10h 21m Audiobook Narrator:: Victoria Connolly & Brandon Francis Published:: September 9th, 2025 The Litertarian Rating:: 4.5-Stars
