The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie (2025)
Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Heartbreaking and messy in all the best ways. We start with Nicole and husband Gabe’s last ditch effort to implant their embryo into a surrogate who lives across the country from them. Only for Nicole to return home and find the dog walker in a compromising position waiting for Gabe. Gross cheating rich white man husband alert. Nicole reconnects with her old work-crush Logan while dealing with the fallout. Logan offers the ultimate escape from her reality because he’s sweet and nerdy and funny, and pretty much adores Nicole. But it’s super messy because she’s not really honest with him about her situation and what the future holds. I loved the flirty banter between Nicole and Logan and I liked seeing Nicole find herself again, after so long being defined by her infertility struggles and her trophy wife status. Amazingly emotional and I absolutely loved it.
Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.
Double Happiness by Heather Eng (2026)
Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. We start a bit with a messy love triangle situation because workaholic Mei is already engaged to Joey, when she re-meets Alexandre and feels an instant connection to him. Making things messier is that Alexandre is the brother of Mei’s sister’s husband, so they keep running into each other at family events. But see, when you read the interactions between Mei and Alexandre, it’s so so good. They just get each other so well and they’re clearly absolutely perfect for each other, plus the tingly sparks and all. I loved this book so much.
Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.
Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long (2026)
Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 9 of the Palace of Rogues series. This book is the epitome of yearning. The kind that punches you in the gut, makes you teary, and also makes you believe in love. Guinevere goes to gaming hell owner Gabriel to plead her case to cancel her naive brother’s debts, but it doesn’t go well. And then they both end up boarding at the Grand Palace on the Thames, so continually interact in our cozy boarding house. It’s feisty bickering between these two, which is super humorous to read. But then it turns to care and compassion as they start to learn each other’s motives. Anything between them is impossible due to their social stations, but you can feel every emotion that they eventually feel for each other. The very best sort of romance.
Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Collins Audio. Final print book provided by Avon Books.
The Wingman by Stephanie Archer (2024)
Contemporary romance. Book 3 of the Vancouver Storm series. Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope because it moves so slow. Both Hayden and Darcy are totally skittish around each other, not wanting to ruin the friendship, but also insanely attracted to each other. They each have their own separate insecurities: Hayden for getting a reputation as a player and not being considered boyfriend material, and Darcy for having her shine completely dulled by her overbearing ex-boyfriend. Darcy is looking to expand her dating horizons and asks Hayden for help, not knowing that he’s so completely gone for her that he’ll do anything to make him happy. I loved their friendship and connection and how amazingly supportive Hayden is.
Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.
Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas by Charlotte Druckman and Mayukh Sen (2026)
Nonfiction. Soap operas feel a bit romance book-adjacent to me, with their bananas plots and common themes and tropes. There’s always a ton of chaos and plot going on, and inevitably, someone always falls in love. It was interesting to read this book with the history of soap opera (starting in radio) and the history of wildly common tropes. If you ever watched any soap in your life, this book is a lot of fun.
Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.
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