Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #2) by Kath Richards

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Mafia Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Kath Richards
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since she was a girl, Vanessa Morelli has trained for two titles: CEO of Morelli Construction, and more importantly, head of the Morelli Crime Family. So far, it’s going well; business is booming, and the city’s criminals fear and respect her. Or at least she thought they did, before shipments start disappearing, construction sites blow up, and—most annoying of all—the older women lay on the pressure for her to marry and make an heir.

When an ill-advised date with her Godson’s math teacher goes horribly wrong, she brings him under her protection while she figures out who’s sabotaging her operation.

Nate, the goofy, dog-owning teacher, wants nothing to do with her after learning that she’s the queen of organized crime in the city. But when the choice is life or death, he chooses to accept her help and move in for the summer. Bored out of his mind, though, Nate offers his services on the hunt for a suitable husband, interviewing every eligible mafioso in Massachusetts.

But when more sparks begin to fly between her and Nate instead of her and her suitors… she starts to wonder. Can they work and live together, without falling for each other along the way?

WHAT FUN.

I have always wanted to be a mafia romance girlie but I have a hard time finding ones that aren’t too dark (or way too spicy) and I feel like this was a good balance! The spice was still a bit much for me but overall I had an incredibly fun time with the “rom-com” vibes of this book.

I loved that Vanessa was the head of the crime family and her tenacity towards keeping herself at the top and protecting her family too. And I kind of absolutely loved that Nate was the one on the outside who had to learn all of the workings of Vanessa’s life and slowly leaned in and worked to be in Vanessa’s life.

It’s flirty and feels a little forbidden. There’s great family dynamics and relationships too. I LOVED that the audiobook was dual narration and will be back for book two!

Overall audience notes:

  • Mafia Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, weapons violence, physical violence

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Book Review: Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Danica Nava
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, author of The Truth According to Ember.

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.

Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.

It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

I was a wee bit hesitant to pick this one up but Y’ALL. REDEMPTION. I will absolutely be continuing to read Danica Nava books. I loved the fish out of water trope in this one. And celebrity?? Who am I reading so many celebrity romances recently??

I loved seeing Avery discover herself and her roots and all the things in between. She genuinely wanted to learn and I felt all the emotions on her journey. The impact of our own mistakes and how we can progress after those.

And the romance was good! I think I would have liked a little more *something* from them, but the heat and true slow burn nature was so nice to read (and he’s a cowboy so…..). The chemistry and tension between them was just right.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: one open door; 1-2 almost scenes
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: toxic parents, racism, addiction, loss of family members

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Book Review: In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Chelsea Curto
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: July 14th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From USA Today bestselling indie author Chelsea Curto comes an academic rivals-to-lovers romance about storm-chasing meteorologists during hurricane season in Florida—perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and B.K. Borison.

Nothing can rain on Quincy Monroe’s parade. She’s a woman-in-STEM with a PhD in atmospheric sciences, the host of a successful online weather show, and has one million followers on her meteorology Instagram.

Quincy has spent endless hours forging her path in this male-dominated field, becoming one of the best in the industry. And with a new job opportunity, nothing can derail her success. Except for the ill-timed arrival of Sebastian Dunn.

Sebastian is her best friend’s brother, her long-suffering academic and professional rival, and a flashy TV weatherman from New York City that everyone swoons over. Everyone but Quincy.

Over a scorching Florida summer and record-breaking hurricane season, Sebastian and Quincy are forced into close proximity. Setting aside their grudges to chase storms and stay alive is one thing, but can they weather the inevitable collision of their hearts?

WELL WELL WELL.

Not too shabby for my first Chelsea Curto book. I’ve had some reservations in regards to the spice but it was alright! Definitely spicy (why did each scene need multiple chapters???) but the innuendo was low which made glossing over them easier.

I think a small downfall was that I read Chase Me If You Can days before and I LOVED that book. This one, with a similar theme and tropes, didn’t hit the same high marks I already fell in love with. Though I do feel it was well researched and the meteorology aspects served the romance and the larger plot. I love a well balanced story.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a good time and I liked the hurricane focus in this book. And the highs and lows of being a woman in a male dominated field. I thought Quincy and Sebastian had good chemistry and I loved the way Sebastian doted on her. The man yearned, and he yearned well. I also really liked his character arc too. I flew through this audiobook and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: sexism, misogyny, severe weather scenes (tornados and hurricanes)

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Book Review: Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 367 pages
Author: Heather Frances
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 23rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two storm chasers find a love that could blow them away in this electric debut romance.

Wedding photographer Sloane Michaels might spend most of her year running after brides, but she lives for the six weeks each spring she chases tornadoes instead. When the prestigious magazine Nature Shots announces a cover contest, Sloane knows that winning could be the chance she needs to break up with taffeta for good and establish herself in landscape photography.

The last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of reckless “Wild Wes” Talbot. A legend among storm chasers, he’s been Sloane’s close, personal frenemy for the last decade and is the man to beat for the cover contest.

Sloane isn’t surprised when Wes gets in an accident that jeopardizes his season. But with an active weather pattern emerging, she doubles down on her need to beat Wes fair and square, and begrudgingly invites him to join her for the remainder of the season.

As they race through hail, high winds, and stormy skies, Sloane realizes that Wes might be more than the rich, flirty, Texas wildcard she thought she knew — and that the feelings blooming between them are more charged and dangerous than the storms they’re chasing.

Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

LOOOOVED.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I also wasn’t expecting to devour this like I did. The audiobook was so good I found myself wandering the house to keep listening and finished this sucker in an afternoon.

I looove a man down bad and West is exactly that. I feel like he takes care of her is underused lately and I was down bad myself during those scenes. I loved the juxtaposition between the tender and the heated. You really got to see these two fall in love over miles and miles of storm chasing.

I thought I would be bugged by the third act (and alright, I was a little bit) but not enough to change my rating. I think it worked out well and I liked seeing the actual communication happen in the end too.

Tornados are 1000% not my thing but I didn’t mind one bit and loved how this felt different than the romances I’ve been reading lately. It felt like it had an adventure quality to it without being a travel romance (even though there were many hotels).

ANYWAYS. I’m obsessed. I loved Wes. I loved Sloan. I am blown away by this debut and can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4-5ish open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: minor blood incidences, emotional abuse, car accident

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