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?
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