Hi Librarygoer!
‘Tis the season when my desire to read is overrun by my need to work so that I can eventually relax and enjoy the holidays.
This is not to mention the time I’m spending making sure my contemporary second-chance romance manuscript gives capital “R” romance feels. I love-hate editing in the same way I love-hate lifting weights at the gym. It’s sometimes a pain to get started but I love how I feel so much afterward.
Anywho, when I’m not working to satisfy the corporate machine or writing my future debut (🤞🏽✨), there are a few books I’m itching to turn the page on.
Happy Reading!
-Aleia
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Books On My Radar
Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal - It starts with a virgin in a sex club. I can’t wait for life to let me get beyond the 20% mark.
Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi - I’m about 10% through and already obsessed with it. A witch who leaves her matrilineal home to cut her own path in life. It’s my airplane read this weekend!
Julia Song is Undateable by Susan Lee - Rumors have it that this book gives peak romcom. I’m saving it for a day when I need sunshine on a page.
Only Friends by Lydia San Andres - Lydia San Andres is one of my fave Harlequin Historical authors and I’m delighted to read her first contemporary romance. She always writes strong heroines focused on completing a mission and this seems like it’s on the same wavelength.
Holiday Romances
Holiday romances are taking up their own space in my mind and these and these five are at the top of my list.
The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria - Hiiii, autobuy author!
You Better Not Pout by Mia Sosa - Autobuy author, part two!
How to Melt A Snowflake by Joanna Kimber - She has been on my must read list since BRBF and I’m embarrassed to not have read her yet! However, what’s better than starting with a snowed in romance?
Not In The Christmas Plan by Etta Easton - Etta’s space themed romances have been fun, I’m really interested in seeing what she does here on earth!
Not So Merry in the Maldives by Mia Heintzelman - A warm weather holiday romance will absolutely transport me on one of the many freezing days to come.
Recently Read And Loved
The Love Audit by Lucy Eden - Small town Black romances are hard to come by. Add in a second chance, fake marriage, and a hidden Black history story and I am sold.
Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport - The enemies were lovers and still enemies for SO much of the book. It was delicious! I haven’t read a lot of fae books but now I only want to read fae books if they feel like Malachi and Kadeesha. I love seeing Blackness dripped in luxury, power, and gray morality!
All Superheroes Need Photo Ops by Elizabeth Stephens - Elizabeth Stephens does not miss! Her characters are so full of personality. Whether they’re angsty or sad or angry or happy or murderous, they are that times ten. I already reviewed why I loved it so much here. [LINK]
The Last Man On Earth by Shae Sanders - I couldn’t escape this book on my feeds and decided to give it a try. I’m glad I took a chance on it! It’s my first plane-crash-trapped-on-an-island romance and I hated the MMC every moment before they fell out of the sky but it’s a great read if you’re looking for something fresh, gritty, and hot!
Books I’ve Been Screaming About All Year
If you’ve met me IRL, I’ve tried to hand sell you at least one of these books. If I haven’t met you IRL … here’s me taking an opportunity to tell you to pull these to the top of your list. Let me know what 2025 releases are on your must read list.
August Lane by Regina Black [Read Full Review]
Huntsman by Naima Simone [Read Full Review]
Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez [Read Full Review]
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan [Read Full Review]
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna [Read Full Review]
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What are your favorite fall reads? Any genre, vibes, or specific books come to mind?
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