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Book Review:: Love at First Sighting | Mallory Marlowe

Love at First Sighting is no ordinary romance. You might say…ahem…it’s out of this world.

Just kidding. It takes place on Earth. But it is tightly wrapped up in a mystery that has more at stake than broken hearts. It’s fun, it’s a little bit silly, it’s tender-hearted, and absolutely worth a read.

Love at First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe Book Cover

Mallory Marlowe is also the author of Love and Other Conspiracy Theories, so I think she’s nicheing down into a pretty distinctive brand here, and I love that for her.

A close encounter of the romantic kind?

Come on. Pure gold.

El is an influencer who encounters something she cannot explain. An Unidentified Flying Object. Naturally, she livestreams it following her. Carter is the agent assigned to her case, but this time it’s different…because it’s the very same thing Carter saw the night his father died. Together they uncover the truth of what it really was up there.

So it’s a little cheesy, but this book will leave you with a full heart by the time you’re done turning pages. Carter’s story is tragic, and completely entwined in the plotline. It’s El’s background and profession that is honestly kind of hilarious. There is certainly some mild commentary about the career of an influencer, but when it comes up in the climax crisis, it just had me rolling.

The best part of this novel, as all romances should be, is the budding romance between El and Carter. Their connection is genuine and so sweet, and is what will bring me to pick up this book again in the future for a reread. It’s exciting, it’s action-packed, and it has a big, mushy, heart at it’s center. Can’t go wrong!

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:: Love at First Sighting
Author:: Mallory Marlowe
Genre:: Romantic Comedy Mystery
Publisher:: Berkley
Length:: 352 pages
Published:: August 12th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Sounds Like A Plan | Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
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Book Review:: Wes and Addie Had Their Chance | Bethany Turner

Another second chance love story out of Adelaide Springs. That place did their youth so bad the universe has conspired against it to bring all the little soulmates back together. Wes and Addie are just the latest to be struck (again) by cupid’s arrow. Of the two books I’ve read in this currently three book series, it is by far my favorite. The stakes are high, the histories are complicated, and they choose each other anyway.

Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner Book Cover

He’s running for president, and she’s running from her problems. Wes once left his dream girl Addie at the alter and skipped town. It broke her. For years. Until she decided to let go of all that hurt and move on. Now hovering around 40, she’s widowed, unemployed (kind of), and recovering from an alcohol addiction, living back with her aging father in good ol’ Adelaide Springs. She’s seen Wes on TV. Who hasn’t? He’s the country’s most hopeful candidate for president in a long time, following in his once undisclosed father’s prestigious footsteps. He recently lost his perfect candidate’s wife to cancer and flies back to Adelaide Springs without telling anyone on his campaign team. Once more Wes and Addie are at the same place at the same time, and the profound love of their childhood has a long memory.

Okay, so I wasn’t expecting this book to be quite this good. I read Brynn and Sebastian awhile back and Brynn’s attitude and entire kerfuffle from the first book of the series kind of turned me off. However, this is a very grown up story of two people with many faults finding their way to forgiveness and love. How can you not love that?

My main complaints would be in how many elements seemed to mirror in this book and the first in the series, and how convenient certain things are set up in order for all of this to make sense, but hey, it’s a rom-com. It’s for fun.

I have to say I really liked the male narrator on the audio version of this novel, Patrick Zeller. He has a very deep and calm voice and I certainly believed he could be running for president. He did a great job with Wes’ character! Talon David was also great, but Patrick really stuck out to me, and I listen to a lot of audiobooks.

Also, the covers for this series are amazing. Seriously, look at them!

Ultimately, this book really gives me hope for future Bethany Turner books. I many even search out the Cole & Laila love story. The blurb actually sounds amazing. Okay Okay Turner, I hear you, I see you, I’ll read you again!

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:: Wes and Addie Had Their Chance (Adelaide Springs Love Stories #3)
Author:: Bethany Turner
Genre:: Small Town Romance
Publisher:: Thomas Nelson
Length:: 320 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 48m
Audiobook Narrator:: Talon David, Patrick Zeller, and Bethany Turner
Published:: July 15th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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The Brave & The Reckless | Dilan Dyer
Game Point | Meg Jones
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Book Review:: He Falls First | Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis can be depended upon for a heartstrings tugging romance that will linger in your bloodstream. He Falls First, her newest release and first in a new series, is no exception. Penny and Ryder will grip your heart with their story, and then melt it entirely.

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis Book Cover

Penny is back home to care for her family, her aging grandmother and young brother, after a hell of a false start. She’s home to heal and to nurture, that’s it. That’s enough. She’s not ready to even think about men anymore. But Ryder Colburn is everywhere. In her house (dropping off her grandmother’s caregiving charge), in her workplace (she works for his sister’s catering company and regularly feeds his contracting crew), and ever-increasingly in her head. Penny is skittish from her past experience, but Ryder is a patient, kind man. He has a gaggle of younger siblings he’s always been responsible for, his own business, and he knows all about hard pasts. He has one himself. But he’s a lot farther on the road of acceptance and growth, and accepts Penny for who she is an exactly where she’s at.

*swoon*

Okay, can we talk about how hot it is to have such a patient man? He knows his own mind, and knows when to step in and when to step away. He’s not pushy at all, ever, but he also positions himself to be able to keep an eye on this woman he has this energetic connection with. He’s exactly what Penny needs, and they absolutely both deserve the comfort and love the other has to offer.

What can I say except this book is an easy win. If you’re looking for your next emotional romance read, choose this one, and then dive into the extensive backlist of equally touching and swoon-y Jill Shalvis novels. Her characters are wounded and passionate and will bring you to your knees every time.

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:: He Falls First (Colburn Brothers #1)
Author:: Jill Shalvis
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca
Length:: 352 pages
Published:: August 5th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Wild Eyes | Elsie Silver
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Book Review:: Who We Used to Be | Caitlin Weaver

When tragedy strikes, there is no telling how you’ll react. Not really. Even your closest relationships can be caught in the collateral damage. And they almost always bring to light the things that have gone unnoticed for too long. Who We Used to Be by Caitlin Weaver is an exploration of family and friendship while navigating difficult transitions, and tragedy.

Who We Used to Be by Caitlin Weaver Book Cover

Everything is unraveling at the Blair house. Dana’s business, Dana’s marriage, Dana’s relationship with her son. Her daughter is the only one she doesn’t have to worry about, an overachiever in everything she does. That is, until she collapses at school. Luckily, her best friend and next door neighbor, Padma, is an ER doctor and is there for her daughter’s intake. Everything checks out fine, until she slips into a coma hours later. It is one crisis after another for Dana, who now has to cope with the fact her dearest friend likely missed something that led to her daughter’s condition. Padma, too, is already dealing with a lot. She’s a workaholic who is up for a prestigious promotion, but this situation could jeopardize everything, even her longstanding sobriety. Their daughter’s are best friends in the same way they are themselves, but one day can change everything.

Wow. This book blew me away. Every character has something going on that adds to the drama and intrigue of this novel, and everyone is just trying to cope with their new reality. Dana’s son’s story line was especially touching. More of a risk taker to start with, he doesn’t handle his twin sister’s absence from his life well. He was written with such nuance and compassion, my heart goes out to him. Strange, perhaps to say that about a fictional character, but this book feels absolutely real.

I am beyond impressed with this novel. It’s a family saga condensed into a handful of months during their most difficult time. It’s compelling as hell, the tension is high, but it isn’t some mystery thriller psycho-on-the-loose situation. There is no blatant crime or bad intentions. It’s real family drama. It’s fascinating, and I think it will appeal to all kinds of readers. I can’t wait to dig into Caitlin Weaver’s backlist! If this novel is any indication, she’s a force to be reckoned with!

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:: Who We Used to Be
Author:: Caitlin Weaver
Genre:: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:: Storm Publishing
Length:: 420 pages
Published:: July 29th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

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If you liked this book, check out…

Every Moment Since | Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Hate Follow | Erin Quinn-Kong
Splendid Little Schemes | Robin Strong

Book Review:: The Brave and the Reckless | Dilan Dyer

Romance is far from dead in the wild west – or at least the wild west theme park called Bravetown.

The Brave and the Reckless by Dilan Dyer Book Cover

Esra is questioning her life choices when she winds up at Bravetown working with her brother. Expecting something straightforward, she is hired instead to play the lead in the park’s main act — a reenactment of a cowboy heist. The cowboy is played by her brother’s best friend Noah, who is not much fun. Esra and Noah fight like cats and dogs until the sparks sent up by their friction erupt into a blazing passion neither of them expected.

I wish I liked this more. I loved the representation of chronic illness, which is something you don’t find often. Some of the spicy scenes were very hot, and the romantic connection seemed genuine enough. But there was…something…missing. Something about the fabric this story was woven into seemed too thin. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what was missing, but it left me wanting.

One thing it does have going for it is the immaculate title. If you’re looking for a spicy romp this summer, this one will certainly scratch that itch, it just may not be something to write home about.

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 Brave and the Reckless: A Bravetown Novel
Author:: Dilan Dyer
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Dell
Length:: 400 pages
Published:: July 29th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 3.5-Stars

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Book Review:: Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes | Sandra Jackson-Opoku

Readers, we have a new amateur sleuth to enjoy! Sapphire (Savvy) Summers is a small town cafe owner thrown into a murder mystery when a man drops dead in her establishment. Along with a small group of other characters interested in digging into the truth, Savvy is determined to get to the bottom of what happened after the dead man ate of her famous sweet potato pie.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku Book Cover

I really appreciate Savvy as a lead character. Her storied past lent a lot towards my interest in this story. She’s been married twice, and death seems to be a phenomenon that haunts her. It’s the little details of character that really make them robust, and I really felt that with Savvy.

This book just impressed me more than many other cozy mysteries I’ve picked up. Maybe this isn’t even technically a cozy mystery? Maybe this is more of a contemporary mystery? I’m no expert, but this book had just enough whimsy and soul to balance the technical details of the mystery to make this quite an enjoyable read.

It looks like this is the first of a series of books, and I am certainly interested in continuing to read what Savvy gets up to next!

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:: Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (Savvy Summers #1)
Author:: Sandra Jackson-Opoku
Genre:: Cozy Mystery
Publisher:: Minotaur Books
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 8h 36m
Audiobook Narrator:: Karen Chilton
Published:: July 29th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Book Review:: As A Last Resort | Kristin Wollett

Burying your head in the sand is so much easier than facing your past. Or in Samantha’s case, fleeing her home town, severing all ties, and hyper-focusing on her New York career like she doesn’t have a past at all. That is, until her development company starts eyeballing the island she grew up on for a new luxury resort and the only way to reach her professional goals is to try to win the lead on the account.

As A Last Resort by Kritstin Wollett Book Cover

This book has no right being as good as it is. From the classically charming rom-com moments to the character growth, weighty themes, and details that will have you swooning, As A Last Resort had me laughing, crying, clutching my chest, and the only thing I didn’t like is that it’s already over.

Samantha was so wounded by her mother’s bad habits that she abandoned even the good parts of her formative years to escape from it. Her best friend Lexie was really hurt by her abrupt departure and subsequent ghosting, and now she’s on the precipice of her wedding when Sam finally shows her face on the island again. Samantha has to take accountability for her actions, even when she never intended any harm.

Lexie’s older brother Austin, who was badly burned by the relationship he thought would go the distance, is the one who ferries Sam back home, and saves her from confronting her biggest fears too early. His life has become stagnant in his fear of more big changes with unexpected, possibly catastrophic consequences, but Samantha makes him realize just how stuck in his ways he’s become. He’s one heck of a sympathetic hero, and he’ll have you swooning after him too before it’s all said and done.

The balance of Sam’s professional life, personal life, and love life is done impeccably well, and we’re right there with her as she navigates the tangle she finds herself in. She’s a sensible girl, but she’s also wounded, and that isn’t an easy thing to overcome.

As A Last Resort is a debut effort by author Kristin Wollett and I have to say, she knocked it out of the park. My eyes will be fully open for anything she publishes going forward, and I can only hope they all come as close to contemporary romance perfection as this one did. All the thumbs, way, way up!

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:: As A Last Resort
Author:: Kristin Wollett
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Forever
Length:: 400 pages
Published:: September 2nd, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Book Review:: The Reluctant Flirt | Jennifer Probst

Jennifer Probst fans, we’re back in Outer Banks, a small idyllic beach town perfect for falling in love. Book of the Month is the first title in this series, my review of which can be found here, but you don’t need to read it before enjoying The Reluctant Flirt.

Sierra runs her own boutique in a new town away from her old life and ex-husband. Outer Banks is her fresh start, and she’s determined to succeed, but when the best hookup of her life shows up in town, apparently the best friend of her sister’s fiancee, things get complicated.

This book has all the ingredients of an indulgent weekend romance read. A sexy start, a crisis meet-cute-take-two, and characters both smitten and too stubborn for their own good. I loved the secret and unique history between these two characters, and their story of falling in love is very sexy (with lots of spice!). My favorite moment was probably when the significance of Sierra’s shop’s name was revealed. However, it didn’t blow me away. By the time I neared the end there were some problems I had with the communication between the characters (or lack of) that is one of my pet peeves, and some of the pacing made it hard to stay really locked in at times. By the end I was reading mostly just to finish.

Outer Banks is a cozy and romantic setting to indulge in, and if you’re looking for some ‘candy’ to read, this may be exactly what you’re looking if. It just wasn’t for me.

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 Reluctant Flirt (Outer Banks #2)
Author:: Jennifer Probst
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Blue Box Press
Length:: 246 pages
Published:: July 15th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 2.5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Book of the Month | Jennifer Probst
Once Upon A Boyband | Jenny Proctor

Book Review:: These Summer Storms | Sarah MacLean

Fans of Laura Dave, Claire Lombardo, or anyone in between will love Sarah MacLean’s new book These Summer Storms. It’s a mix of family drama, personal crisis, situational intrigue, and a satisfying dose of steamy romance on the side. There are themes of coming of age, coping with and accepting family, and learning lessons the hard way. Everything this book does, it does well. I didn’t even wait to finish it before I pre-ordered a first edition copy for my home library. It’s so good.

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Book Cover

The premise is the billionaire patriarch of the Storm family dies, so his family gathers on their private island in New England for the reading of the will, including his daughter Alice, who has been estranged from the family for five years. Turns out the manipulative old man left stipulations for each person – a task that must be completed within a week – before they can inherit. Oh, and if one of them fails, no one gets any money.

I suppose this is a common story. Someone dies, and the wake of that event sends dramatic or mysterious ripples out disrupting everything that surrounds them. I’ve read several books with this specific situation even this year. So what makes These Summer Storms great, a cut above the rest? For me? Writing is first (always), and then the mix of plot and character that just turn this into something intriguing and exciting to read.

Right away I was hooked by a scene between Alice and a dark handsome stranger at the train station, caught in the rain. The depth of character already explored in those early chapters made it impossible to stop reading.

The Storm family is a complicated one, made even more complicated by the enormous amount of money involved. Add the father’s right-hand-man to the mix of this week-long…adventure, and even more tension ratchets up. I was just so impressed by the structure of the book as a whole and so many scenes that were unique and seducing and complex and just plain interesting. I couldn’t put the dang thing down.

I will certainly be reading this book again (maybe starting today *blushes*), and I’ll be sure to recommend it to all of my readerly friends asking about my recent great reads. I have no doubt this will end up being one of my best books of the year in 2025. AND the audiobook is being read by our queen Julia Whelan. Just mark me down as this book’s number one fan already. Release day cannot come soon enough!

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:: These Summer Storms
Author:: Sarah MacLean
Genre:: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:: Ballantine Books
Length:: 400 pages
Audio Length:: 14h
Audiobook Narrator:: Julia Whelan
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

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Book Review:: Sounds Like Trouble | Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith

Sounds Like Trouble is the second book in a fun contemporary mystery series co-written by Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith. Jackson and Mackenzie are back at it, this time officially partners in a joint PI firm, and there is just as much drama this time around.

Their last case caught the attention of some very intimidating crime lords, who “ask” Jackson and Mackenzie for some help with a little problem they have. There’s a package they need tracked down – discreetly.

This pair is electric. They’re sassy, capable, and oh-so-compatible. The level of action and danger is just as high as it was in book one. It’s a breakneck pace that will keep you flying through the pages!

I hope this is just the latest in a looong list of installments in this series, because it is such a breath of fresh air. If you’re looking for a fun and refreshing read this summer, please don’t sleep on this series!

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:: Sounds Like Trouble (Sounds Like A Plan #2)
Author:: Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Genre:: Contemporary Mystery/Thriller
Publisher:: Atria Books
Length:: 256 pages
Audio Length:: 6h
Audiobook Narrator:: Jaime Lincoln Smith & Angel Pean
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars