Tag Archives: romance

Book Review: Wreck

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Author: Catherine Newman

Genre: Contemporary/Literary Fiction

Pages: 224 pages

Synopsis

Wreck returns readers to the beloved family from Sandwich—but this time, we’re back home with them as life throws a fresh handful of joys, worries, and emotional knots their way. With Catherine Newman’s signature blend of humor, tenderness, and hard-won wisdom, this companion novel explores what it means to love your people fiercely while navigating the everyday wreckage of being human. It’s honest, warm, and deeply relatable in all the best ways.

Review

First Impressions

Last year, I read Sandwich and absolutely fell in love with Rocky and her family. But also with Catherine Newman’s writing. Her voice has this rare combination of heartache and hilarity that just feels like real life rendered beautifully.

So when I saw that Newman had a new book coming out in Fall 2025—and that it was a companion novel to Sandwich—I didn’t even hesitate. I knew I was going to read it the second I could get my hands on it.

Wreck did not let me down. If anything, it made me love this family even more.

Strengths

✨ Writing Style
Newman’s prose is warm, witty, and full of emotional truth. She writes with a kind of gentle insight that feels like someone squeezing your hand and saying, “I get it. Life is hard, but look—we’re still here.”

✨ Characters
Seeing the family again was a joy, but this time I got to sit with them in a slightly deeper, more vulnerable way. Their anxieties are sharper and more present, stretching across a wider span of time. It feels real. Raw in moments, tender in others, and always deeply human.

I loved Sandwich, but Wreck carries a little more emotional weight, and I adored that. It mirrors the way life sometimes feels: messy, stressful, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once.

✨ Themes
This is a novel about the wreckage of modern life—anxiety, fear, aging parents, caregiving, uncertainty—and how we love each other through it. Newman has a gift for acknowledging the ache of being alive while also providing genuine comfort.

Weaknesses / Caveats

The emotional intensity may feel heavier than Sandwich for some readers. The characters sit with their anxieties for a long time, which is part of what made the book resonate with me; however, it might feel overwhelming if you’re not in the right headspace for a close-up look at the interior worries of family life. You may even want to check out some trigger warnings before diving in.

Still, even in the heavier moments, Newman never loses her warmth or humor.

Final Thoughts

I truly loved this book. It felt relatable in ways that surprised me. Almost as if some of the characters’ anxieties were echoing my own from this past year. Newman balances pain and gentleness so beautifully that reading Wreck felt like being wrapped in a cozy blanket someone made just for me.

📚 Perfect for readers who enjoy:

  • Thoughtful, character-driven domestic fiction
  • Stories about family, aging, and the emotional work of everyday life
  • Books that blend humor with heartfelt insight
  • Authors like Ann Patchett, Katherine Heiny, and Elizabeth Strout

For me, this was a heartfelt and deeply comforting experience, and I’d recommend it to readers who want a tender, honest, and emotionally rich family story that stays with you long after the final page.

🍂 Books That Feel Like Autumn (Without Feeling Like Halloween)

In my last post, I talked about how when fall rolls around, a lot of readers (myself included) immediately think of spooky reads—ghost stories, thrillers, and eerie gothic classics. Basically, all the books to get you in the mood for Halloween. And while I love a good haunted house or witchy tale, I realize that autumn reading doesn’t have to have those Halloween vibes to feel like autumn.

Fall is also about ease and comfort. It’s about slowing down as the days get shorter, pulling on a sweater, making a hot drink, and curling up with a story that feels like home. These are the kinds of books that feel like golden leaves crunching underfoot, a cozy blanket, or the warm light of a lamp glowing in the evening.

Here are some books that capture that autumn vibe, across a mix of genres:

🍁 Historical Fiction

Historical fiction naturally lends itself to autumn — it has that layered, atmospheric quality that feels perfect for curling up with on a crisp day. These stories often invite you to step back in time and linger in the details of another era.

  • Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese — A reimagining of the inspiration for The Scarlet Letter, set in 1800s Salem. It’s richly detailed and reflective in all the right ways.
  • The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano — based on the true story of the first woman to be accused of witchcraft in seventeenth-century Massachusetts.
  • The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner — Twists together historical intrigue with a touch of mystery, perfect for fall nights.

☕ Comforting Romances

There’s something about autumn that pairs perfectly with cozy love stories — small towns, second chances, bookshops, and warm drinks. These books feel like the literary equivalent of a soft sweater.

  • The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter — Small-town charm at its best, full of warmth and community.
  • The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover — A contemporary romance about loss, love, and rediscovering yourself.
  • It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard- a second-chance romance set in NYC during the fall, say no more

🔎 Cozy Mysteries

What’s more autumnal than solving mysteries like Scooby Doo and the gang? Cozy mysteries scratch that itch for intrigue without leaning into the dark and terrifying. These are the books you should grab when you want to read next to a fire, a cup of hot tea in hand.

  • The Cleopatra Fox Mysteries by C.J. Archer — a fun historical mystery series featuring a young female sleuth at the turn of the century.
  • The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman — witty and heartwarming, featuring retirees solving crimes.
  • The Miss Marple Series by Agatha Christie- the OG of cozy mysteries, written by the queen herself.

✨ Fall doesn’t have to be spooky to be magical. Sometimes it’s about the ease and comfort of a good story that makes you feel safe, seen, and inspired. These are the kinds of books that pair perfectly with falling leaves, crisp air, and a little extra time to savor the moment.

🎃 Getting Ready for Spooky Season 🎃

September and October are my favorite months to lean into all things spooky, atmospheric, and autumnal. Whether you’re into suspense, gothic classics, dark academia, or cozy witchy romances, there’s a perfect book (or stack of them) to keep you company as the nights grow longer.

✨ My favorite Spooky Season author: Simone St. James
If you haven’t picked up Simone St. James yet, now is the time. Her books strike the perfect balance between spooky and suspenseful, with just enough ghostly atmosphere to keep you reading past midnight. What I love most is the historical thread woven into each story—spanning from the 1920s to the 1990s—so there’s a little something for everyone. You can start with any of her books, depending on your “flavor” preference, but her more recent ones lean even more into the suspense side.

📚 Reader recommendation: The Broken Girls (creepy boarding school + murder mystery), The Sun Down Motel (dual timeline ghost story in a rundown motel), or The Book of Cold Cases (true-crime blogger meets a haunted house).

🔪 Suspense & Thriller Favorites: Riley Sager and More
If your spooky season tastes lean more toward psychological thrillers and page-turning suspense, Riley Sager is a must-read. His books feel like watching your favorite scary movie — tense, twisty, and full of atmosphere. Each one has a different hook that will keep you guessing until the very end.

📚 Some recommendations:

  • Home Before Dark — a haunted house story with a twist.
  • The Last Time I Lied — summer camp secrets and lies.
  • Survive the Night — a road trip thriller that reads like a Hitchcock film.

And if you love Sager, you might also enjoy authors like Alice Feeney (Sometimes I Lie), Megan Miranda (All the Missing Girls), or Jennifer McMahon (The Drowning Kind, The Children on the Hill).

🕯️ The Gothic Classics
Sometimes, nothing beats going back to the roots of spooky storytelling. Books like Dracula by Bram Stoker, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice are absolute masterclasses in the horror and supernatural genres. These are the stories that set the tone for so many modern tales.

My personal favorite is Rebecca—with its twisty, unsettling atmosphere and an ending that is chef’s kiss.

📖 Dark Academia (or just Academia)
September always feels like back-to-school season, so it’s the perfect time to dive into a book with an academic edge. Whether you go full-on dark academia with eerie, secretive settings, or just pick something with a school/university backdrop, these reads fit the vibe of crisp autumn days and candlelit nights.

Some great options:

  • The Secret History by Donna Tartt — the dark academia classic, full of secrets and obsession.
  • Babel by R.F. Kuang — historical fantasy + academia, full of language, magic, and rebellion.
  • If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio — Shakespeare, theater kids, and a murder mystery.
  • A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness — romance, history, and academia with a witchy twist.
  • The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova— an age-long mystery, a race across Europe, and a hunt for Dracula

🍁 Comfy Fall Reads
Of course, spooky season isn’t just about being spooked—it’s also about coziness. For me, that means sweet, romantic stories, especially if they have a witchy element. Think cozy romances that make you want to wrap up in a blanket with a mug of tea.

Some to try:

  • The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling — witchy rom-com with small town fall vibes.
  • Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper — sapphic romance + magical tournament.
  • The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — found family + heartwarming romance.
  • Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman — a witchy classic with beautiful prose.

✨ Whether you’re in the mood for a ghostly chill, a gothic masterpiece, a sharp academic mystery, or a cozy romance with a touch of magic, there’s no better time to build your spooky season TBR.

Here is a very ambitious list of books I hope to read this Spooky Season:

  • Murder Road by Simone St. James (Supernatural Suspense)
  • A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney (Cozy Witchy Romance)
  • The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James (Historical Supernatural Suspense)
  • One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Dark Fantasy)
  • The Bewitching by Sivia Garcia Moreno (Gothic Horror x Dark Academia)
  • Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson (Murder Mystery x Suspense)
  • Hemlock & Silver by T Kingfisher (Dark Fantasy)
  • Wild Hunt by Emma Seckel (Historical Supernatural Suspense)
  • Secrets in the Mist by Anna Lee Huber (Gothic Historical Romance)

I’m eager to see how many I can check off by midnight on Halloween!

Author Spotlight: Rebecca Ross

There are some authors who don’t just tell a story—they weave it. Rebecca Ross is one of those rare writers whose words feel more like music than prose. Her lyrical fantasy writing has a way of slipping under your skin, leaving you absolutely enchanted long after you’ve turned the last page.

My personal favorites of hers right now are A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless. These two books swept me away completely—the kind of stories where you lose track of time, wrapped up in magic, folklore, and characters that feel achingly real.

Recently, I had the chance to see Rebecca Ross on her Wild Reverence book tour, and let me tell you—my excitement for this release has only grown. From everything I’ve heard, Wild Reverence is shaping up to be one of her most mystical and atmospheric books yet. I cannot wait to dive in.

What makes me love her work even more is knowing that the authors who inspire her are also some of my personal favorites—like Juliet Marillier. It feels like a shared language of stories and influences, and you can see those threads of inspiration beautifully reimagined in her own novels.

Rebecca Ross’s books are the perfect ones to curl up with in a cozy chair, cup of tea at your side, and just let yourself be carried away. If you’re looking for stories that feel both timeless and magical, she’s absolutely an author to add to your shelf.

📚 Where to Start with Rebecca Ross

  • A River Enchanted – A Scottish-inspired fantasy full of folklore, music, and enchantment.
  • Divine Rivals – A WWI-inspired romantic fantasy about rival journalists whose letters connect them across battle lines.
  • The Queen’s Rising – Her debut duology opener, perfect for fans of lush coming-of-age stories and court intrigue.
  • The Queen’s Resistance – The second half of the duology, delivering rebellion, romance, and resilience.

A Love Letter to Romance (and the Reader I’ve Become)

Over the past few years, something unexpected has happened to me: I’ve started to turn into a romance reader.

I mean, I’ve always loved romance in books. I crave it, actually — the stolen glances, the slow burns, the moments when two characters finally realize what’s been obvious to everyone else. But romance was never the main course. It was always the side dish, the seasoning sprinkled into stories that were “really about something else.”

And I still love books like that. I’ll never stop being the reader who thrills at a romance that takes several books to simmer. But somewhere along the way — maybe as the world has felt heavier and heavier — my heart started reaching for something different.

I wanted books where love is the point. The kind you can read in one sitting. The ones that promise a happy ending, where you know everything will turn out right for the characters.

Ten years ago, my highbrow, literary-leaning self would’ve been horrified. That version of me was in college and grad school, priding herself on layered novels full of tortured characters who specialized in making terrible choices. I thought romance novels were “easy.” I thought they didn’t mean much.

I was wrong.

The me of now knows that some of the best lessons I’ve learned about life and love have come from romance novels. Especially as a woman who is both aware of her own flaws and deeply proud of her strengths, I’ve found myself reflected in these pages in ways I never expected.

I’ll be honest — I’m not looking for books full of endless smut (though I don’t mind spice when it feels earned and tied to real connection). What I am searching for are romances with depth. Stories that touch on grief, mental health, physical challenges, or that ache of being lost in the world. Characters who feel real and flawed and human — and who still get to be happy in the end. Not in spite of their struggles, but with someone who loves them because of them.

That’s what keeps me coming back to romance.

And because of that, I’ve gathered some new favorite authors — the ones who reliably deliver heart, humor, depth, and joy— such as Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Katherine Center.

Here are just a few romances that have brought me so much joy:

✨ The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary – A quirky, heartwarming romance built on the slow discovery of love through shared space and scribbled notes. This one got me through a pretty difficult time in my life.

✨ The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston – A witty, tender story about love, grief, and ghosts (literally). Ashley Poston is new to me, but I already can’t wait to read the rest of her books.

✨ Beach Read by Emily Henry – A smart, banter-filled romance about two writers with very different approaches to love and storytelling. Honestly, I can recommend any of the books I have read by Emily Henry, but I thought I would highlight her very first book, which still remains my favorite of hers so far.

✨ Hello Stranger by Katherine Center – A heartfelt tale of resilience, identity, and finding love when life looks nothing like you expected. Great mental health representation! Plus, there’s an adorable dog.

✨ Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez – A romance full of heart, healing, and that perfect balance of humor and depth. I think this is actually my all-time favorite romance I’ve read so far!

✨ The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord – A sweet, funny, deeply charming love story that celebrates second chances and self-discovery. I’m not sure why this one hasn’t gotten super high ratings on Goodreads. I found it to be absolutely adorable, and I read it in one sitting on a ten-hour plane ride home. Those ten hours flew right on by.

I am so thankful to these books for turning me into the kind of romance reader I never thought I’d be — and am now so glad to be.

Because romance matters. And I can’t wait to talk about it with you. 

Book Review: The Dead Romantics 

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️

Author: Ashely Poston

Genre: Romance

Pages: 368 pages

Synopsis

Florence Day is a ghostwriter for one of the most famous romance authors in the industry—but after a heartbreak of her own, she no longer believes in love. Add to that her unusual ability to see and speak with the dead, and life feels more complicated than ever. When her beloved father passes away, Florence returns home to her small town to face her grief and the family she left behind. But things take a startling turn when the ghost of her new (and very attractive) editor shows up at her door. Florence soon finds herself navigating family, heartbreak, and unexpected romance—with someone she can’t exactly have.

Why I Loved It

You know that feeling when you pick up a book and immediately realize you don’t want to put it down—even as your plane is literally touching the ground? That was me with The Dead Romantics. From the very first chapter, I was hooked.

What I loved most about The Dead Romantics was how seamlessly Ashley Poston wove humor, grief, and romance into one story. The premise is unique and whimsical, but the heart of the book lies in the main character’s journey. Watching Florence navigate her complicated relationship with grief, her family, and her own sense of worth made the romance feel all the more powerful. It’s not just a love story—it’s a story of self-acceptance, healing, and realizing you can still move forward even while carrying loss.

And the romance? So sweet, tender, and impossible not to root for, even with the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of falling for a ghost. I found myself grinning through so many scenes, and yet also tearing up at moments that hit far too close to home.

The writing itself is sharp, funny, and heartfelt. Poston manages to balance whimsy with emotional depth in a way that kept me reading nonstop—I was literally still turning pages as my plane touched down.

Final Thoughts

The banter, the ghostly twist, the little touches of magical realism—all of it made the story feel fresh and whimsical without losing its emotional weight.

This one definitely earned its spot on my “romances with layers” shelf. If you like stories that give you hope, a love story that feels impossible but somehow works, and a heroine you can’t help but root for, I think you’ll love this one too. I know that I will be picking up more from this offer soon.

📚 Read if you love…

-Romances with a touch of magical realism

-Stories that balance grief and healing with humor and heart

-Slow-burn love stories with high emotional stakes

-Quirky heroines who grow into their strength

-That mix of “impossible romance” + “but maybe it could work?”

Author Spotligh: CJ Archer

About two years ago, I stumbled across a book that completely drew me in: The Librarian of Crooked Lane by CJ Archer. I believe I first discovered it due to a Kindle Unlimited recommendation. The premise caught me right away: A librarian with a mysterious past, a war hero with a secret, and the heist of a magic painting. All set in London during the 1920s, but with a magical twist? Count me in.

In Archer’s world, people are born either as magicians—each with their own unique affinity, whether that’s paper, silver, ink, etc.—or as non-magicians. Those affinities allow them to enhance the properties of everyday man-made goods. It was such a clever, fascinating idea that I couldn’t resist downloading it… and within a few chapters, I was hooked.

I tore through the remaining Glass Library books that were available at the time. And when I ran out? I quickly discovered that CJ Archer has a very extensive backlog. From there, I dove straight into her After the Rift series (a sweeping fantasy with a healthy dose of romance) and A Secret Life, the first book from her Shakespearean romance series. After the Rift has now become one of my all-time favorites, and I was pleasantly surprised by her historical romance, A Secret Life, which was much steamier than anything I had read from her so far.

Since then, I’ve completed the Glass Library and After the Rift series, started her eleven-book (and counting!) Cleopatra Fox Historical Mystery series, and I have downloaded at least one book from each one of her multiple series, because I have every intention of making my way through her entire backlist.

From supernatural adventures to fantasy epics, from historical mysteries to romance/romantasy, CJ Archer truly writes something for just about every type of reader. Even her romances range from sweet to spicy (both are always swoon-worthy), showing just how versatile she can be with her writing.

What I especially love in her writing is that Archer has a gift for atmosphere and characters you just want to keep coming back to. Whether it’s a smoky London street, a tucked-away magical library, or a far-off land, you feel transported. Her stories also balance whimsy with deeper themes—grief, belonging, and finding strength in unexpected places.

Next up on my list is her Glass and Steele series, the prequel to Glass Library. I can’t wait to remeet some of my favorite characters from the Glass Library series as their younger selves! I’m also eagerly awaiting the upcoming spin-off that follows a side character from After the Rift.

Finding CJ Archer’s books has been such a joy for me as a reader. Her stories are exactly what I love—rich in atmosphere, brimming with magic, mystery, romance—and always impossible to put down.

If you’re curious where to begin, I think you should start with the series that sounds the most appealing to you. But fair warning: once you step into Archer’s worlds, you may not want to leave.

Where to Start with CJ Archer ✨

  • Historical Fantasy with Magic & Mystery → The Glass and Steel Series and the Glass Library series
  • Fantasy + Romance (Romantasy) → After the Rift (my personal favorite so far)
  • Cozy Historical Mystery → Cleopatra Fox Mysteries (light, clever, and fun)
  • Victorian Historical Paranormal/Fantasy Romance → The Freak House Series, The Ministry of Curiosities, or Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy
  • Steamy Historical Romance → A Secret Life (Lord Hawkesbury Players series) or The Assassins Guild
  • Historical Fantasy + Spice → The Witchblade Chronicles
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