Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Owned (Amazon) • Historical Romance • 2010
Short synopsis: After fleeing London’s marriage-minded society, the irresistibly eligible Lord Nicholas St. John is drawn into Lady Isabel Townsend’s desperate scheme to protect her brother’s inheritance—and into a dangerous romance neither can resist.
I first read this book quite a while ago, and I’m on a mission to reread all of Sarah MacLean’s books since she’s my #1 historical romance author. This one was just as delightful as the first time around, and it had been so long since I had read it that I didn’t remember anything. It’s fun when that happens! (Or maybe concerning about my memory. Either or.) Here’s a really funny thing that happened while I was reading, though: In the story, Isabel realizes she needs to sell these “marbles” that have been in her family for a long time because she needs money. I spent far too long thinking that they are the kind of marbles you play with, and I was really confused. I’m picturing this small bag of tiny marbles and I didn’t understand why a) they were so damn valuable and b) it would take someone weeks to assess their worth. No, no. Marbles as in sculptures. It made so much more sense. The more you know!
The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune (★★★★☆ 1/2)
Audiobook • Libby • Fantasy • 2025
Short synopsis: A spine-tingling thriller about a 10-year-old girl with an impossible power, her father, and an unlikely stranger, who come together to confront the dangerous forces that want her at all costs.
I am three for three on TJ Klune books. So far, I have loved everything he’s written (that I’ve read, of course, as I am not yet a completionist!), and this book is no exception. This novel is about Nate, a guy who lost his job and wants to spend some time at his family’s abandoned cabin to lick his wounds and figure out what’s next for him. The problem is, when he arrives, he finds out his cabin is occupied by a surly man named Alex and a precocious young girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. Why are they there, and what would happen to them if they left? I adored Nate and Alex and Art so, so much. They were all so wonderfully complex and different and so fun to root for. I was here for every moment of this adventure, even when things seemed impossibly dire. I didn’t care for the epilogue, which is why I gave this book 4.5 stars. I find most epilogues unnecessary, and I think the novel would have had such a stronger ending without it.
And Now Back to You by B.K. Borison (★★★☆☆)
Print • Owned (Target) • Contemporary Romance • 2026
Short synopsis: When radio meteorologist Jackson and journalist Delilah are forced to team up to cover a historic snowstorm, their clash of personalities gives way to an unexpected friendship—and a chemistry neither can ignore.
I think we have a pattern here with B.K. Borison books. Her first book in a series is always excellent (Lovelight Farms, First-Time Caller), which makes me so excited to check out the next book in the series. But then the second one is always a dud (looking at you, In the Weeds). This book was so bland with one very dull MMC and one manic-pixie dreamgirl of a FMC. I just didn’t care about them, nor did I find their romance all that exciting. And, as always, I think any romance over 400 pages is too long, and this one was around 470 pages, which is TOO GODDAMN LONG. There were so many unnecessary side plots, along with a dramatic moment that felt forced and gratuitous. And don’t even get me started on the grand gesture at the end, which I could see from a mile away. I literally muttered to myself, “Oh, he’s going to do XYZ thing, isn’t he?” And sure enough, he did. I didn’t hate this book and I can understand why many people love it. But I just need more from my romances these days, and this one failed to deliver.
What are you reading?
Stephany, I got such a kick out of this! I love that you thought it was a bag of marbles! In fact, I think that makes the story sound even better! And yes, I also need more from my romance novels. I can barely tolerate most of them anymore! Luckily, there are a few good ones.
Hahaha about the marbles!
I’m reading American Fantasy, which is the book about the boy band cruise ship. It took me a little while to get into because omg, there are so many characters to keep track of. But I’m enjoying it!
TJ Klune wrote a spine tingling thriller? I’m intrigued!
As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been rereading Agatha Christies lately. I read them all in my teens and 20s. Some of them really stuck with me, and some I don’t remember AT ALL. It’s like I never read the book, yet I know I did. I’m always happy with that happens, but also slightly worried. Am I totally losing it??? Yikes.
The marbles reference would have thrown me off as well. I would have thought they were a bag of marbles which doesn’t seem like something that is worth all that much!
I liked And Now Back to You more than you did. But 470 is too long for a romance novel! First Time Caller was better, though!
I’m reading “Down with the Shipmans” which is a story about 3 sisters that to go their family’s NH ocean cottage and find out their father plans to sell it. It’s entertaining so far!
I loved The House on the Cerulean Sea, but didn’t care much for the sequel or the one about the Whispering Door. I just felt like those two books were a little… i don’t know… preachy? Didactic? But The Bones Beneath My Skin sounds like perhaps it might be a little different?
I want to read more BK Borison- I really liked Good Spirits, and I hear there’s a sequel. But will the sequel be as good…?
I had a few friends mention they thought The Bones Beneath My Skin were a bit preachy, so this might be one to stay away from! I don’t really mind it myself, but I know it’s a huge turnoff for a lot of readers.
Totally LOLing re: marbles. That would be me thinking that way too. I have not read MacLean and feel like I should. Is this the one I should read?
It’s always interesting to me when an epilogue takes AWAY from a story. They often add nothing but sometimes they add a twist or something new that ruins things. Then there are books like The Book Club for Troublesome Women where the epilogue was the only reason I rated it as high as I did!
So are you just going to stick to book one of Borison’s series now? You still need to read Good Spirits, right? It’s a romance (duh) and I know audio is NOT your thing, but the Scottish accent (I think?) from the male was what pulled me through it.
I’ve always thought TJ Klune was a woman. Who knew….