First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Romance • 2025
Short synopsis: After Lucie’s daughter calls into Aiden’s romance hotline to talk about her mom’s lack of a dating life, the call goes viral. So, Aiden brings Lucie onto his show to help her find love. Sparks fly in the recording booth, though, between Aiden and Lucie, and Lucie has to decide if she’s ready to take a chance on love again.
This romance was adorable, sexy, and so much fun to read. Aiden and Lucie’s rapport was incredibly charming, and I couldn’t get enough of them. During the call that went viral, Lucie and Aiden had a long conversation about dating, and I felt so seen by her comments! These days, it often feels like nobody wants to put in the effort, and sometimes, you just want someone willing to go out of their way to make you happy. That’s harder than it seems, and that’s why I love being single. Less disappointment! Muahaha.
Anyway, back to the book. There was so much to love about this romance! There’s an element of found family, a touch of meddlesome friends, and just enough emotional depth. I especially loved how Aiden cared for Lucie, and how she slowly worked her way into his heart when romance was the last thing he wanted. It’s a sweet, heartfelt novel, and B.K. Borison is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (★★★★★)
Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Fiction • 2026
Short synopsis: A tradwife, who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1805—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister.
This was one of my most-anticipated books of 2026! Not only was it written by one of my favorite podcasters, but the premise was immediately enticing. A tradwife forced actually to live the life she promotes on social media? Yes, please! I am so happy to report that this book totally lived up to the hype for me. The writing is sharp and immersive, and the ending genuinely shocked me. I’m especially impressed that this is Burke’s debut. It’s tightly plotted, with rich, complex characters who left me with all kinds of conflicting feelings. I can see this book being divisive, particularly when it comes to Natalie’s views on marriage, womanhood, and motherhood, but that’s exactly what made it so compelling to me. Her perspective is fascinating to unpack and far more interesting than a safer narrative would have been. This is the kind of book you immediately want to discuss with everyone after finishing, and I’m so excited I get to attend the author’s book signing next week. (Let’s hope I don’t fangirl too hard!)
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (★★★☆☆)
E-Book • Libby • Science Fiction • 2020
Short synopsis: After an alien invasion turns Earth into a deadly, galaxy-wide reality game show, Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s pampered show cat, Princess Donut, must navigate a trap-filled dungeon full of monsters, magic, and chaos just to survive the next level.
Princess Donut is fabulous! My book club also picked DCC a few months back. People rave about the audiobook, but I felt like I was BEING YELLED AT the whole time. Oh, well. I’m glad it’s getting people who are not readers into reading.
That last book is definitely NOT FOR ME. I am glad First Time Caller worked for you! I really loved it. And I plan to eventually read Yesteryear but the wait is LONG. I’m reading The Blind Assassin right now which is Nicole’s all time favorite book. I am really enjoying it, especially the parts narrated by the older sister.
Ooo that is so fun you are going to a book signing for Yesteryear! I can’t wait to read it. I requested it as soon as Erin raved about it LOL. I think I am still many weeks out.
Oh gosh, I would be skimming those fight scenes in DCC too. Yawn! I love that there is a talking cat though!
I am reading The Elements. I wish I could remember who told me about them so I could talk to them about it (assuming it wasn’t a parasocial relationship LOL).
Oooh Yesteryear, can’t wait.
I’m reading “Is This A Call For Help” – it’s by the author who wrote Someday Everyone In This Room Will Be Dead. I’ve just started it but enjoying it so far!
I read an Abby Jimenez on my road trip and I thought of you! It was a cute, easy read, perfect for a road trip – I enjoyed it!
Yesteryear sounds interesting to me. How great that you get to meet the author!
Yesteryear seems to be the current “it” book and I have dutifully added it to my holds list, but I am sooooo far down the list!! Will report back in many months 😉
Okay, that’s it! I’m putting Yesteryear on a library hold. I’ve been on the fence about reading it, but your review tipped me over the edge.