April Month In Review

It’s WILD to me that we’ve blown through 4 months already in this year. This month has been another great one for my reading habit. And WOW did I read some just FANTASTIC romances. I’ve been deep in the historical romance trenches, and I can’t seem to stop.

There is something so gripping about them, the propriety, the pining, angst and holding onto honour, and the exploration of their kinks, and sexual intimacy just freaking slaps y’all. I’ve also held onto my approach of “read whatever I want to”, although its still RIP to my TBR, because there are simply not enough days or hours to read all these amazing romances!

Okay here is the breakdown:

Apple Books: 16 | ARCs: 3 | Kindle Unlimited: 11

For a monthly total of: 31 (and a yearly running total of 127)

A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid

Stacy might be the standout new to me author this year. Her historical romances are SO freaking swoony and dreamy. This one is SO wonderful and gave me a mix of Marrying Winterborne and The Highwayman (in truly the best freaking ways). This is one of those I’ve loved you since we were children, social class divides, star crossed soul mates love that just had me in a freaking chokehold right from the prologue. Niall and Fifi, are just so gone for each other, and watching them come together and then become separated and learning what Niall has done to make himself “worthy” of her will touch even the coldest of hearts. I freaking loved this, and know it’s going to become a comfort read.

Her Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid 

I read my first Stacy Reid earlier this year, in the Big Duke Energy Anthology ARC I reviewed. And fell in love with her writing style and how deeply romantic her prose, stories and characters are. And my goodness, was this book something magical. Maryann, and Nicholas first meet when she’s trying to exact some revenge on a particularly evil diamond of the ton. What Maryann does not know, is that Nicolas is also on his own revenge journey, motivated by some just tragic back story that will really hit your hearts. From that first meeting Nicolas and Maryann fall slowly in love through moments both deeply romantic, funny and sweet. I LOVED this book and the journey it will take you on will stay with you for awhile.

Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas

I love LK love interests. They are always SO soft, cozy and swoony. This is, yet another to add to my favourite love interests: Keir MacRae. And like I tweeted, the thing you GOTTA know about a Lisa Kleypas hero is he is going to be GONE for the heroine by the end of their first meeting. This one was so refreshing, the love and connection, the longing, the AMNESIA… y’all let this one sweep you away.

With This Fling by Tara Sivec (KU)

I have gobbled up each book in Tara’s Summersweet Island series, loving each couple she has written and Y’ALL this is about Birdie and Wren’s hot mom! Damn this was actually SO freaking great. If you like hot tattooed men who have a kink for caretaking, and strong women that have kinda shouldered it all forever, this by god is going to get your motor running. I LOVED the genuine connection between Laura and Dean, the banter, the humour and the legitimately hot asf sex scenes, this one might be one of my all time favourites of the entire bunch.

Just My Type by Tara Sivec (KU)

Ah this epistolary romance from Tara Sivec was a surprise and heart squeezing DELIGHT. I haven’t read a Sivec since burning through her Summersweet Island series last year. And damn it’s been TOO long. Tara’s rom-coms are always a perfect mix of genuinely funny (albeit a little over the top) with steamy scenes that keep things moving along at a lightning quick pace. I liked this one and the connection between Baker and Ember felt real. I thought there were a few moments (the otter pool, uh GROSS) that were even too much for me, but overall this is a fun fast read that lots of folks will enjoy.

Brutal Vows by J.T. Geissinger (KU)

This is the final (FINAL) book in her Queens & Monsters mafia romance series and y’all was this everything or what?! Oh Homer, I fell in love with him in Riley and Mal’s book, and was dying to find out how his story of an arranged marriage was going to work out. From the get go, it was CLEAR that it was never going to be Homer and Lili riding off into the sunset, but rather deeply hurt Reyna. Oof these two with the WILD sexual tension and witty banter and genuine love and trust. Especially when they first get together and he FINALLY sees the absolute horror her previous relationship wrote all over her body. We love a sensitive murderous psycho.

Everything for You by Chloe Liese (eARC)

Oh lord these Bergman’s are going to be the death of me. I was so freaking excited to be chosen to read this as an ARC. And whew, y’all I loved the-ever-loving-shit out of this beautiful love story between Oliver and Gavin. Full review here.