The kiss quotient
Helen Hoang
FICTION Hoang Helen
Fiction, Romance
"A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick. Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position... Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he's making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic.."--
Wicked and the wallflower
Sarah MacLean
FICTION MacLean, Sarah
Fiction, Romance
"When Wicked Comes Calling . . .When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees--on one condition. She's seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won't accept a marriage without it. The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain . . .Bastard son of a duke and king of London's dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy. For the Promise of Passion . . . But there's nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she'd rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil's carefully laid plans are in chaos and he must choose between everything he's ever wanted . . . and the only thing he's ever desired"--Provided by publisher.
I loved this book so much!! Sarah MacLean is my favorite romance writer, and her newest book does not disappoint!
- Amanda
An extraordinary union
Alyssa Cole
FICTION Cole Alyssa
Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
This book is fantastic! Elle is a free black woman, serving as a Union spy during the Civil War. She clashes with another spy while they're both undercover, and sparks fly!
- Amanda
The madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Jennifer Ashley
FICTION Ashley, Jennifer
Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
In the aristocratic circles of London, 1881, everyone says Lord Ian McKenzie is crazy--and possibly a murderer--but a young widow longing for passion is determined to bare the truth about the dashing and darkly charming Scotsman.
A beautiful historical romance featuring a male lead who is on the autism spectrum. Also features a murder mystery element! This book is so wonderful and sensitive. It also kicks off a great series!
- Amanda
A Scot in the dark
Sarah MacLean
FICTION Maclean Sarah
Fiction, Romance
This book is absolutely delightful. The perfect balance of angst, lightness, and romance. Also, the punny title is just incredible!
- Amanda
The duchess deal : girl meets duke
Tessa Dare
FICTION Dare Tessa
Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
The Duke of Ashbury needs a wife. Emma Gladstone, a vicar's daughter turned seamstress, will do. They both have terms for the marriage, but will they be able to stop from falling in love?
I cannot overstate my love for this book. It's sweet, funny, whacky, and so much more. Fabulous characters, wonderful writing. It's got a marriage of convenience, well-developed characters, awesome female friendship, ridiculous pet names, superheroes, feminism, politics, body acceptance, a heroine who stubbornly insists on making clothing out of drapes, etc. etc. and many more delightful things.
I read it in a matter of hours and stayed up late to finish it. Totally worth it.
- Amanda
A duke by default
Alyssa Cole
FICTION Cole Alyssa
Fiction, Romance
New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and--most importantly--herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she's capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss...when she's not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr. Tavish McKenzie doesn't need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory...even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice--and his attraction to her--but when Portia accidentally discovers that he's the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project. Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?
I love this book SO much!! It's witty, smart, hilarious, and so sweet. There's a Princess Diaries plot going on, plus tons of amazing characters. And the hero is an actual modern-day swordsmith. It also deals a lot with mental illness and treatment in a very compassionate, unstigmatized way. What's not to love?
- Amanda
The governess game
Tessa Dare
FICTION/Dare Tessa
Fiction, Romance
"He's been a bad, bad rake--and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson. The accidental governess. After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don't need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke's heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried--and failed--to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart . . . without risking her own. The infamous rake. Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education--in pleasure. That should prove he can't be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase's heart are crumbling . . . and he's in danger of falling, hard." --
I absolutely loved this book! Tessa Dare writes the sweetest, most comforting romances. This book features a smart, independent Filipina-American-British woman who accidentally becomes governess to two willful, traumatized little girls. After struggling to get through to them, she decides to try something unconventional: she teaches them to be pirates. I'm 100% not kidding. And the hero is basically a human cinnamon roll, with terrible self-esteem. All in all: I loved this book SO MUCH.
- Amanda
This is probably the best romance novel I've read all year! It's smart, feminist, and beautifully diverse.
- Amanda