Romance Round-Up: where did the time go
Back in February I said that I was going to round up my romance reading every month, since we’re losing so many review spaces. And then a lot of copy-edits happened. Sorry about that.
Anyway, here I am, catching up! For space reasons I’m just including my top faves of the last few months here. Will do better: I’m about to go on holiday so expect to be deluged with reviews on my return.
Daggerbound by T Kingfisher
Absolutely glorious fantasy romance sequel to Swordheart with a lovely slow burn romance between two traumatised men, one of whom is trying to make the world better, while the other just wants to kill someone who deserves it. A delight. You should read Swordheart first, but that will not be a hardship.
Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot by Alexis Hall
Sapphic, highly sweary reality show romance with enjoyably tough characters and a parallel historical f/f plot. Satisfying. You don’t need to have read the other books in the series, very much standalone.
A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
Historical trans m/f romance. Well grounded setting that feels vivid and plausible, complicated characters with flaws and needs and hurts, some heavy topics well handled. A thoughtful enjoyable read, and a lovely cover.
The Captain's Midwinter Bride by Liana De la Rosa
Sweet historical novella about a 40something married couple reconnecting when he returns From The Sea. Yay for older heroines!
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
Regency m/f romance, lots of tropes, very strong bonking, and terrific minor characters. Tad of a slow start but rapidly accelerates to be great fun. Vasti’s romance is probably best described as exuberant: everyone thoroughly enjoys themselves (author, characters, reader).
Fan Service by Rosie Danan
Adored this m/f werewolf romance set in fandom, two things I usually don’t care for at all. Largely this is because the hero is such a joy. He’s a full-on himbo idiot, delightfully so, because he knows it. Excellent sex scenes and just an all round good time.
On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi
Ghanaian-American medical student navigating love and family and culture. Leaning to women’s fiction rather than romance, but Angie is a wonderful character and the setting terrific. I have the author’s vampire book for the holidays, and I generally don’t touch vampires.
Soon By You by Dahlia Adler
Fantastic. Honestly one of the best romances I have read in ages. Contemporary Jewish American m/f romance with a meaty internal conflict, tons of cultural baggage, problematic but lovely leads, and endearing development. A delight of a read, do not miss.