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Crochet Pattern Roundup: Block Stitch Blanket

Aug 2, 2025 | Crochet Patterns

Quick round up of crochet patterns! Click on the photo below to go to the Etsy page of the pattern. Affiliate links used, so if you make a purchase, I get a small commission.

May include: A crocheted blanket with stripes of coral, beige, blue, and white. The blanket is folded and placed in a wicker basket.

May include: A green, white, and beige crocheted blanket with a white border. The blanket is folded and draped over a wooden surface. There are several small, colorful books with different words on them, such as "at home", "playground", and "fun time".

May include: A crocheted baby blanket with stripes of yellow, blue, and gray yarn. The blanket is draped over a metal chair.

May include: A colorful striped crocheted throw blanket with a variety of colors including red, orange, brown, blue, and green.

Blissful Blocks Baby Blanket crochet pattern; PDF Download Only; Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern image 1

May include: A colorful crocheted throw blanket with a fringe border. The blanket is made with a variety of colors, including pink, blue, yellow, and white.

An easy crochet rainbow baby blanket folded into a small square.

May include: A teal and white crochet baby blanket with a geometric pattern, draped over a wooden ladder. The blanket has a teal border. The text "PDF CROCHET PATTERN" is on a white circle in the lower left corner of the image.

Resource Spotlight: Handwriting & Brush Lettering Practice Worksheets

Aug 1, 2025 | Art and Lettering

Here are today’s lettering and art resources. Click on the images below to learn more about that resource. (If you make a purchase through these links, I get a small commission.)

Handwriting & Brush Lettering Practice Worksheets

May include: A printable worksheet for practicing handwriting and brush lettering. The worksheet features an elephant illustration and the words 'Elephant' in both handwriting and brush lettering styles. The worksheet is designed for children and includes practice words, lowercase letters, and the alphabet. The text on the worksheet reads '+130 WORDS', 'Elephant', 'Elephant', '41 PAGES / 2 STYLES', 'Both Small & Large Brush Pens', 'Elephant Practice Words', 'Active Blossom', 'Class', 'Elegant', 'Glowing', 'Elephant Lowercase L', 'Elephant A to Z Alphabet'.

May include: A close-up of a handwriting practice worksheet with the word 'Elephant' at the top. The worksheet has several lines of words to practice writing, including 'Adventurous', 'Courageous', 'Extraordinary', 'Glamorous', and 'Independent'. The words are written in different colors, including orange, red, and pink. The worksheet is on a white background with gray lines.

May include: A close-up of a calligraphy practice sheet with the words 'Begin' and '2 Words' at the top. The sheet is divided into sections for practicing letters and numbers. The letters are written in red, orange, and brown ink. The numbers are written in red, orange, and brown ink. The sheet is on a brown surface. The sheet is for practicing calligraphy with a brush pen.

250+ Words for Planner and Journal

May include: A white lined notebook page with the word 'DAYS:' written in brown ink. The days of the week are written in different colored inks: 'Monday' in teal, 'Tuesday' in gray, 'Wednesday' in purple, 'Friday' in pink, and 'Saturday' in silver. A pink highlighter is being used to write 'Friday'.

May include: A close-up of a hand writing the word 'wellness' in orange marker on a white lined paper. The words 'bedtime' in teal, 'self care' in purple, and 'wellness' in orange are written on the paper. The text 'For Personal Use Only © 2024 lighttheskyarts' is visible at the bottom of the page.

Click here to grab these worksheets.

Supplies

Are you an artist with your own resource that you’d like me to share? Click here to tell me all about it.

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Resource Spotlight: Handwriting and Brush Lettering Planner Practice Worksheets

Jul 29, 2025 | Art and Lettering

250+ Words for Planner and Journal: Mammoth Lettering Practice Worksheets

250+ Words for Planner and Journal: Mammoth Lettering Practice Worksheets | Small & Large Brush Pen | iPad Lettering | DIGITAL DOWNLOAD image 3

This planner-focused lettering workbook is your next step. With over 250 common journal and bujo words, it helps you polish your very neat, clean, and beautiful “Mammoth” style handwriting and elevate every page. Don’t just plan your days—create something you want to return to. Beautiful. Personal. Purposeful.

This 78-page workbook is suitable for both regular pens and brush pens.

What’s included: (All in the Mammoth style)
+ 5 Pages for Small Tip Pen
+ 10 Pages for Medium Tip Pen
+ 16 Pages for Large Tip Pen/Marker
+ 11 Pages for Small Brush Pen
+ 36 Pages for Large Brush Pen
+++ Extra Blank Practice Sheets

Print Style Basic Worksheets

Mammoth: Neat Handwriting & Brush Lettering Practice Worksheets | 2 Styles | DIGITAL DOWNLOAD | Printing | iPad Lettering | lighttheskyarts image 1

May include: A brown and white illustration of a mammoth with a title that reads 'Mammoth Mammoth' in white text. The text '46 PAGES / 2 STYLES' is below the illustration. The text '1. Handwriting in 3 sizes' and 'Small, Medium, Large' is below the title. The text '2. Brush Lettering' and 'Both Small & Large Brush Pens' is below the title. The text 'Basic Strokes, Lowercase Letters, Uppercase Letters, Numbers, and over 130 Practice Words!' is below the title. The text 'Light the Sky' is in a circle in the upper left corner of the image.

May include: A handwriting practice sheet with the letter 'M' written in different sizes and styles. The sheet also includes a list of words written in different colors: Achievement, Disciplined, Genuine, Journey, Magnific, Precious.

May include: A close-up of a notebook page with handwriting practice lines. The page shows the letters k, m, and M in various stages of completion. The letters are being traced with pink, orange, and red markers. The words 'Abundance', 'Balance', 'Creative', and 'Licious' are written in pink, orange, and red at the top of the page. The numbers 5 and 7 are also being traced with orange markers. The text 'SAMPLE @lighttheskyarts SAMPLE' is written in gray at the bottom of the page. The text 'For Personal Use Only' is written in gray at the bottom right corner of the page.

Are you an artist with your own resource that you’d like me to share? Click here to tell me all about it.

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Weekly Reads: July 21 to 27, 2025

Jul 29, 2025 | Book Reviews

Part of Your World: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell (2025)

Young Adult Fantasy. Ooh, I love a good twist to a story we already know well. This one is published in conjunction with Disney, so it takes a totally licensed spin on The Little Mermaid. It plays what if Ariel did not win at the end and Eric ends up married to Vanessa/Ursula. We start here five years after that and Eric’s seaside village is in all sorts of mess due to Vanessa’s scheming and political maneuvers. Plus Eric has been under a foggy-brained spell for all these years. Somehow, word gets back to Queen Ariel that her father may still be alive (in a jar in Vanessa’s room), so she stages a rescue mission. Loads of action and adventure here, with a lot of different points of view. This was a really fun book to read, especially if you loved The Little Mermaid.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks (2023)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Love in Galway series. Lark’s new in town and accidentally moves next door to a funeral home. She meets the very shy and introverted Callum and fairly quickly develops a friendship. We get to see a really great slow-burn romance develop here as these two friends eventually give into their attraction. They each have their own background issues and hang-ups, and I loved seeing them open up and share with each other.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Crochet Pattern Roundup: Mason Jar Cozy and Template

Jul 26, 2025 | Crochet Patterns

Quick round up of crochet patterns! Click on the photo below to go to the Etsy page of the pattern. Affiliate links used, so if you make a purchase, I get a small commission.

May include: A green crocheted jar cover with a decorative stitch pattern. The cover is on a glass jar with a sprig of red flowers.

May include: Four white labels with black outlines of mason jars and the text "MASON JAR COZY 100% HANDMADE". A crocheted teal, green, and white mason jar cozy.

May include: Two glass jars with wooden lids, each wrapped with a crocheted checkerboard pattern. One jar has a pink and white design, the other has a green and white design. The jars sit on a light-colored surface.

May include: Three glass jars with flowers inside, each wrapped in a crocheted cozy. The cozies are in pink, gray, and blue. Yellow and purple flowers are visible. The jars are sitting on a stone surface.

PDF Pattern for Crochet Jar Cozy | Cottagecore Pint Jar Cozy with Granny Square Clusters image 1

May include: A crocheted brown jar cozy with a wooden tag that says "Drift" is on a glass jar with a bouquet of cream colored flowers. Two balls of yarn are in the foreground, one white and one pink.

May include: A crocheted beige jar cover with a white flower arrangement in a glass jar. The text "PDF Crochet Pattern Digital Download" is on a white circle.

May include: A clear glass jar filled with a beverage and a stainless steel straw. The jar is encased in a cream-colored, crocheted cozy with a brown leather tag that reads "Blessed". The jar sits on a wooden tray.

May include: Crochet pattern for a jar or tumbler sleeve. The pattern is customizable to fit multiple styles. The image shows two crocheted sleeves, one in beige and one in pink, both with a label that says "Jarful of Knots".

May include: Two crocheted jar covers in a mustard yellow color. The covers are made with a textured stitch pattern. The text "My Alpaca Studio Crochet Pattern" is visible in the image.

May include: Two crocheted mason jar covers, one in gray and one in green, on a wooden tray. The gray jar has a brown pump top and a tag that reads "Handmade Mason Jar Soap Dispenser".

School for Heiresses Historical Romance Book Series by Sabrina Jeffries

Jul 24, 2025 | Book Reviews

Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries (2006)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the School for Heiresses series. Lady Amelia is a daughter of an earl who is dodging fortune hunters and longing for adventure. She runs into a bit of trouble when she’s nearly caught snooping in the American Navy Major’s personal correspondence, but she’s wary of her stepmother being the target of his secret investigation. She plans to find out more in order to protect her stepmother, and she plays the simpering miss to do so. Lucas has a bunch of hang ups against the English and he’s annoyed to have to be in England to deal with this fraud and embezzlement case, but he realizes that he can use a courtship with Amelia to find out more about his suspect. They’re both toying with each other for information, but there’s definitely a real simmering attraction here. We get into way more dramatics halfway through the book when we need to deal with a kidnapping and road trip. It was interesting to see how two people who are totally dishonest with each other end up falling in love.

Ebook and audiobook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Only a Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries (2006)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the School for Heiresses series. This one will make a little more sense if you’ve also read To Pleasure a Prince, because Simon and Louisa feature quite a bit with that book. Basically, in the previous book, Simon was courting Louisa at the King’s request in exchange for political favors; she figures out the deception and uses her influence as the King’s natural daughter to have Simon sent to India. We start this book seven years later, Simon has returned, and the King is still playing tricks with him. Simon renews his attentions on Louisa, but she’s more wary now. Plus, she has the added fear of childbirth because her half-sister Princess Charlotte died during the process. It’s mostly a redemption story for Simon here, since Louisa is already pretty awesome. Loved seeing him soften for real and learn to stand on his own morals, rather than the political jockeying that he’s accustomed to.

Ebook and audiobook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

Ten Reasons to Stay by Sabrina Jeffries (2013)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2.5 of the School for Heiresses series. Quick little novella. Eliza is running away from her uncle guardian who means to marry her off to his friend. She tries to borrow a horse from the new earl’s stable, not realizing he’s in residence. Colin is newly arrived to his estate from India and distrustful of almost everything. There’s a lot of verbal sparring between Eliza and Colin as he tries to high-handedly protect her, but also scare her about the dangers of men. It’s an insta-lust, steamy novella here, with a neat and tidy happily ever after.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org

Beware a Scot’s Revenge by Sabrina Jeffries (2007)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the School for Heiresses series. Lady Venetia is visiting Scotland with her aunt, after having been living in London for many years, and promptly gets kidnapped by her childhood neighbor Lachlan. He’s got a rivalry with her father over some unpaid debts and is trying to use Venetia for ransom. But it’s way more complicated than that because Lachlan and Venetia keep switching between yelling at each other and lusting at each other. This is one of those stories where Lachlan is the one who needs to get over himself and his need for vengeance if he wants to have a true relationship with Venetia.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Let Sleeping Rogues Lie by Sabrina Jeffries (2008)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4 of the School for Heiresses series. Anthony is a wicked gentleman who has just inherited a viscount title and wants to gain custody of his niece away from his cruel aunt and uncle. He tries to get the niece enrolled at a reputable girls’ school, but his terrible reputation and looming custody battle make all the schools wary of taking her on. Madeline is a teacher at Mrs. Harris’ school and somehow manages to negotiate a deal for Anthony, where he cleans up his act and gives rake lessons to the girls at the school so they know what to avoid. She has her own ulterior motives because she needs to meet one of Anthony’s scientist friends to help her own father’s dire situation. It’s all a muddle with lies and secret keeping (mostly on Madeline’s part) and of course Anthony is trying his best to seduce Madeline in the meantime. This book had the perfect blend of external conflict with the slow burn romance between our main characters. Loved seeing Anthony start to sober up and take care of his responsibilities.

Ebook and audiobook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Libro.fm // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

When Sparks Fly by Sabrina Jeffries (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4.5 of the School for Heiresses series. Quick little Christmas novella. Wealthy heiress Ellie is traveling with her aunt and young cousins home for Christmas when her aunt is in a carriage accident and injures her ankle. They whole crew need to stay with the nearby grumpy baron, Martin, who has a terrible reputation after the death of his brother. He’s a total grump, feels guilty over his brother’s death, and would rather be experimenting with explosives to help the miners who work on his land. But he’s totally drawn to Ellie, despite his original misconceptions about her. It’s a quick burn romance here for these two and very fun to read.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Don’t Bargain with the Devil by Sabrina Jeffries (2009)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 5 of the School for Heiresses series. Heartbroken Lucy is back at her favorite girls school for a stint as the temporary art teacher while her father and stepmother go to Scotland. Her childhood friend and love basically told her that she was too outspoken and hoydenish for marriage, so she’s all sorts of insecure about herself. Meanwhile, a mysterious new tenant has moved in next door. The magician Diego is looking for the long-lost granddaughter of a Spanish marquess, and he thinks that Lucy might be the one he’s searching for. It’s mystery and intrigue and attraction all rolled into one very entertaining book. I loved learning all of Lucy’s family secrets and finding out how Diego fits into her future.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Audiobook accessed via Everand.

Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries (2009)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6 of the School for Heiresses series. The headmistress of the illustrious girls school gets her romance here in the conclusion of the series. Charlotte is plagued with scandal right now with a whole bunch of her former pupils having run off and eloped and the latest scandal with a suicide. And it gets even messier when we find out that the widowed viscount, David, is actually an old acquaintance of Charlotte’s. Eighteen years prior, Charlotte and David were arranged to marry by their fathers, but it ended up in heartbreak and public humiliation. And then one day, David seeks his revenge by adopted the persona of Cousin Michael to offer a low-rent building for Charlotte to build a school, intending to raise the rents and leave her hanging after she’s comfortable. But it turns into a decade-long letter-writing friendship, and then turns into an even bigger mess when the true owner of the property is looking to evict Charlotte soon. David wants to keep his secrets, so sets himself up for more drama by faking an inheritance from his wife that was donated to the school. We get a pretty quick second chance romance here, with Charlotte being hesitant to trust, and David being a high-handed male. I enjoyed reading all the drama unfold though and learn more about Charlotte and David’s past relationship. Excellent conclusion to the series and introduction to some side characters that will feature in more of Jeffries’ books.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Weekly Reads: July 14 to 20, 2025

Jul 22, 2025 | Book Reviews

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite (2019)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Feminine Pursuits series. Heartbroken Lucy ends up in the care of the widowed countess Catherine in the pursuit of translating a rare astronomy text. They’re both pretty prickly around each other at first, but quickly find their footing as friends and then more. It was so nice watching their romance blossom and Catherine learn things about herself in the process, even as the older and more established woman. I loved seeing them both battle the patriarchy for Lucy’s place in science. A delightful slow burn romance here.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman (2025)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of Her Majesty’s Rebels series. I love a good road trip romance, especially when our two travel partners are clearly pining for each other and denying their own feelings about it. Daisy is on a mission to thwart an elopement and runs into Lucien, her brothers’ friend and longtime crush along the way. What she doesn’t know is that he encouraged the elopement of his nephew and an heiress. And she gets thoroughly distracted by Lucien. We’ve got highwaymen, cramped quarters, and even a kidnapping in this chaotic adventure. Loved seeing these two connect and talk to each other, with the most excellent banter.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Crochet Pattern Roundup: Granny Square Pillow

Jul 19, 2025 | Crochet Patterns

Quick round up of crochet patterns! Click on the photo below to go to the Etsy page of the pattern. Affiliate links used, so if you make a purchase, I get a small commission.

CROCHET PATTERN & VIDEO | Astrid Pillow Pattern, Astrid Granny Square, Puff Stitch, Granny Square Pillow, Crochet Flower, Home Decor image 1

CROCHET PATTERN & VIDEO | Maple Gingham Pillow Pattern, Astrid Granny Square, 10 additional colour charts, Home Decor image 1

May include: A crocheted pillow with a square pattern featuring brown, beige, and yellow flowers. The pillow is held by a person wearing blue jeans.

CROCHET PATTERN & VIDEO | Solig Sunflower Pillow, Cushion Cover, Crochet Flower, Granny Square, Home Decor, Autumn, Fall, Late Summer image 1

May include: A crocheted pillow with a sunflower design in shades of brown, gray, and yellow. The pillow is made with a textured yarn and has a square shape.

May include: Two crocheted throw pillows with a checkered pattern. One pillow is pink and mustard yellow, the other is light blue and green.

CROCHET PATTERN & VIDEO | Special Edition Basic Sunburst Pillow, Sunburst Granny Square, Easy, Beginner, Home Decor, Super Bulky Yarn image 1

May include: A square, crocheted pillow featuring a floral pattern in shades of cream, purple, pink, and green. The pillow is held by a person wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. The pillow's design is made up of multiple squares.

May include: A crocheted pillow with a beige background and colorful floral patterns in shades of pink, blue, green, and yellow.

May include: Three crocheted throw pillows with colorful geometric patterns. The pillows are made with a variety of colors, including pink, blue, green, and yellow. The pillows are all square shaped and have a fringe border.

May include: A square crochet pillow with a geometric pattern. The pillow features a diamond design with alternating sections of light blue-gray and cream-colored yarn. The pillow is held in front of a person wearing a blue and white striped shirt and blue jeans.

May include: Two crocheted pillow covers with a square pattern of different colored yarn. The pillow covers are made with a variety of shades of brown, green, and purple.

Weekly Reads: July 7 to 13, 2025

Jul 15, 2025 | Book Reviews

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon (2025)

Fantasy romance. Part of the Critical Role universe. I have no idea what Critical Role is, but I’m reading anything that Thea Guanzon writes. Luckily, I wasn’t lost and was able to follow and enjoy this story. Guinevere is a merchant’s daughter traveling to meet her parents and gets into a bit of trouble (or lots of trouble) and ends up scorching her enemies with her secret magical fire powers. And then a stranger named Oskar rescues her and ultimately escorts her on the journey. They’re total and complete opposites, with Guinevere being totally naive and sheltered and bubbly, and Oskar being a little bit of a grump and skeptical of the entire world. Still, we’ve got a heavy dose of insta-lust, plus danger that helps with the adrenaline rush. The romance here is sweet and steamy and we’re just waiting for Guinevere to stand up to her parents. Super funny to read and I really enjoyed it.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Loads of emotional angst in this workplace rom-com. Holly is basically starting over in her career after leaving her job as a lawyer under unpleasant circumstances. Now she’s an intern at some sort of nonprofit and competing with the other interns for a coveted permanent position. And in order to do so, she’s working on a fundraising project involving men and their dogs. Her grumpy co-worker Jonathan is the only person available who hasn’t been claimed for another intern’s project, so she’s stuck with him. And then it turns out he has his own issues, having formerly been an award-winning photographer and having his previous career implode. These two are delightfully flirty and bantering and I enjoyed watching them fall in love. Great cast of supporting characters with Holly’s best friend and work mentor, her brother, and niece. I listened to most of this book on audio, and loved the narrator.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Hachette Audio.

Seven Brides for Beau McBride by Amy Barry (2025)

Historical romance. Western America. Book 3 of the McBrides of Montana series. Junebug is at it again and this time she’s brought in six potential wives for her brother Beau; meanwhile, he’s invited his own wifely prospect, bringing the total to seven mail-order brides. Unfortunately for everyone involved, best friends Ellie and Diana are both in the running, have each responded to Junebug and Beau’s newspaper ads respectively. And it turns out that Ellie was the one writing letters for Diana to send, and maybe Beau is really in love with her. It’s messy and chaotic and hilarious. I loved this book, even though I wish Junebug would learn her lesson and that her brothers would actually listen to her when she says she doesn’t want to cook and clean for them anymore.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Isaiah & Isolde by Julie Anne Long (2025)

Historical romance-adjacent. Regency-era England. Prequel novella to the Pennyroyal Green series. Great backstory of Isaiah and Isolde’s fraught relationship, seeing as they married different people. If you’ve read the Pennyroyal Green series, you’ll know that the Redmonds and the Everseas have a longstanding feud between their families. Except there’s always a hint of a spark of something between the Eversea mom and the Redmond dad and we’re left wondering if there was a history there. We get that heartbreaking history here in this book and how they ended up on opposite sides of the feud. Loved it, even though I knew the end was going to be unpleasant.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Two Ruins Make a Right by Janna MacGregor (2025)

Historical romance. Standalone novella. Nell needed to marry a marquess to save her family’s financial situation and in the process jilted her commoner fiance. He’s still a bit salty about it eight years later, since Nell was annoyingly tight-lipped about her family’s disgrace. Now, James is on the wife-hunt again after the death of his previous wife and Nell accidentally crashes the house party when her carriage breaks down. We get some more scandal when Nell’s sister and James’ cousin are caught in a compromising situation and Nell is still keeping secrets about her terrible parents. We see pretty quickly that James and Nell still have feelings for each other after all these years, and James’ six-year-old daughter is the best sort of meddler. Steamy and scandalous, all in a quick read.

Advance ebook provided by Janna MacGregor.

Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Avery is the only Native American pop star around and she makes the horrible mistake of listening to her uninformed mother and team in the process of posing for the cover of Rolling Stone. And so, her reputation is totally tanked, and she’s sent off to stay with her estranged grandmother for awhile til the gossip dies down. Instantly, she’s on the wrong foot with Lucas, the extra handsome man who works at the grandmother’s ranch. Just about as instantly as she’s attracted to him. She’s learning to adapt to a totally new environment, while everyone around her is terribly unhelpful. But the attraction between her and Lucas is super strong, despite all the realities of their lives. This book was funny and emotional and I loved seeing Avery embrace her roots.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited