Tag: prh audio

ARC/ALC Book Review: In Your Dreams (When in Rome #4) by Sarah Adams

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 358 pages
Author: Sarah Adams
Publisher: Dell Romance
Release Date: December 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to prove she could make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is a shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap, giving her a chance to rebuild everything she’s lost: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend . . . and the last person she wants to work for.

James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and doing what’s expected of him in the family business and never contemplating anything different—until now when Madison’s happiness is on the line. He’s loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that–even if it means he can only ever be her friend. The one problem? His charming, wildly successful younger brother, Tommy, seems determined to win her over first.

Then Tommy is called away on business and Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy farm-to-table restaurant on their own. But as the town starts meddling in their relationship, Tommy’s pursuit of Madison grows more relentless, and Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back, keeping things strictly professional becomes impossible. And when an unexpected disaster on opening night collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.

Thank you Dell Romance for the ebook and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

OH HOW I LOVED THIS.

I should have known that the moment I picked this up I wouldn’t be able to put it back down. Because y’all don’t even know how addictive this was to read. I LOVE A MAN DOWN BAD OKAY? And James is so far gone the only thing he could see was Madison.

Gosh dang the man created a restaurant just so she’d have a place to come home to and WE LOVE IT. I was obsessed with the dynamic between Madison and James. It’s filled with heated banter and longing gazes, soft touches and tender moments. I love the way they got to be together and I think the level of spice worked out beautifully for the story.

Not to mention I loved seeing all of the previous When in Rome cohort. This whole world is beautiful and I don’t think a page was wasted in Rome, Kentucky. I’ll miss it!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2 open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of parents (briefly mentioned), physical altercation, smoking

ALC/ARC Book Review: Better in Black (Shadowhunter Chronicles) by Cassandra Clare

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella Collection
Length: 464 pages
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ten original love stories by the reigning queen of romantasy, featuring fan-favorite couples from her #1 New York Times bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles—one of the most popular series of all time, with more than 50 million copies in print worldwide!

Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger.

Jace and Clary, seeking out an exiled Shadowhunter and learning that love can save the world—or destroy it. Will and Tessa, honeymooning in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path. Simon and Izzy, observing increased demonic activity around New York, on a hilarious urban romp.

These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite with:

• Anna and Ari
• Emma and Julian
• Kieran, Mark, and Cristina
• James and Cordelia
• Thomas and Alastair
• Sebastian and the Seelie Queen
• Jocelyn and Luke

A love letter to every fan of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series!

Thank you PRH Audio and Get Underlined for the gifted audiobook and physical copy.

I LIKED IT.

I feel like I haven’t read a Shadowhunter book in a hot minute and it was fun to be back in this world with so many of my favorite characters.

Each novella felt like a mini story and brought a swoony edge each time. I think even some of them might be hinting at future things to come? [There’s another series coming right??]

I’m not sure I’d say this is 100% a necessary book to read but I do think you’ll enjoy it if you’ve been a fan of the Shadowhunters over the years.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance Collection
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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ARC Book Review: The Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy #2) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: November 25th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Academy always comes first . . . which makes marriage to its most formidable adversary an exceedingly inconvenient arrangement.

Well removed from London’s more curious eyes, the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women—by appropriate means, of course.

When intrepid newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, the Academy appoints Penelope “Nell” Trewlove, one of their brightest graduates, to put this nuisance to rest. An easy enough mission, she supposes. Or it would be, if Miles wasn’t so fascinating—too fascinating to resist—and if Nell’s visit to London didn’t perfectly coincide with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters.

When the inexorable claws of fate trap Nell and Miles in a compromising situation, they agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death, as well as the surprising chemistry between them.

Thank you to Mimi Matthews and Berkley for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the audiobook.

MY LATEST OBESSION.

Oh this EASILY is now in my top five favorite book from Mimi Matthews. I was OBESSED from the first chapter. I don’t think anyone does marriage of convenience romances better. I will be unable to think of anything else for the foreseeable future.

Miles. Miles. Miles. I could have highlighted half of this book just listening to him talk. The man was so far gone and all sorts of protective and could not be a step away from Nell and I LOVED IT ALL. And I loved Nell too. I loved seeing her find her strength and inner fire from having to be away from the academy. Miles helped her genuinely blossom and grow and I loved the way they played off of each other.

Matthews also writes some of the best romantic scenes everrrrr. The way emotion and love is conveyed through every moment. It’s heated and sensual and lights my kindle on fire every time.

I loved the suspense elements and mystery. The plot is engaging and balanced just right. It’s a book worth devouring.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: vague fade to black
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, physical and weapons based altercations, near death experiences

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ARC Book Review: A Queen’s Match (A Queen’s Game #2) by Katharine McGee

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Katharine McGee
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: November 4th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the sequel to A Queen’s Game, broken hearts and secret loves lead three princesses to their final marriage matches, and their rightful places in the history books–from the New York Times bestselling author of the American Royals series.

As Queen Victoria tries to match her grandchildren with powerful marriages across Europe, matters of the court and matters of the heart collide for three princesses as they close in on the end of their marriage seasons. 

Exiled French princess Helene d’Orleans had no choice but to break it off with Prince Eddy–but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a broken heart. And now her parents have their sights on another prince for her…but his heart is already taken. 

The queen finally understands that her beloved granddaughter Alix of Hesse isn’t interestd in a match with Prince Eddy…but the Queen does not approve of Alix’s true love. So where does that leave her? 

And May of Teck? She’s just looking for a crown. So with Eddy back on the marriage market, she’s biding her time, letting his heartbreak settle, before she makes her move.

Set in the last glittering decade of the monarchies, A Queen’s Match is the thrilling conclusion to the story that began in A Queen’s Game.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

GOOGLE IT.

That was my biggest takeaway here. I spent a few minutes googling and reading historical documents about these people and learned all that I needed to know that made the book feel superfluous. I think if you go in with little knowledge or are their for the drama then maybe it would hit better.

I don’t think this book is bad by any means, it felt more like a pitfall that historical fiction can occasionally fall into. The characters were fine, the romance was fine, and I’d still read more from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of life, illness, discussion of plague

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