Week of May 26, 2025

7 books last week

• Right back down the spiral of romance I go, folks. We ended out the month of May with dreary, rainy days here in New Jersey, and I’m looking forward to getting my toes in the sand in June. It’s been too chilly to get there. I did sneak in a good summer beach read last week with Shem Creek, so I’m trying to get in the beach mood, but it’s not working for me yet. So I’ve resorted to my typical pattern of feet-kicking feel-good romance books.

• I’ve been able to take some nice long walks on the beach in between the raindrops, and I’m listening to 2 different audiobooks. First is Oleander by Scarlett Drake. I LOVED the book, which I only finished in April, but I’m already listening to the audio book and I’m loving the audio even more. I’m surprised that’s even possible, honestly. It’s narrated so beautifully by George Naylor and his British voice brings so much passion and depth to the story that reading the words couldn’t possibly do. And that’s hard for me to admit as a die-hard reader. This audio is simply breathtaking. The second audio book is lighthearted in comparison and it’s First Time Caller by B.K. Borison, which I’m listening to on Spotify. I only mention Spotify because you get a limited number of listening hours on Spotify and I reached my limit on May 22nd, so I have to wait until June to keep listening to this book! But Oleander has been keeping my mind well occupied on my beach walks.

• As always, here’s my rating scale for your information:

  ⭐️ Did not like this book, would not recommend. Lots of errors, plot holes, not worth the effort to read, most likely didn’t finish. But I’m giving this author a single star for making the effort to publish a book. Not everyone’s even gotten that far, so yay for you.

  ⭐️⭐️ Didn’t really like it, multiple issues with style, plot, syntax or characters. Most likely forced myself to finish it. Would consider other books by the same author but I might have to be convinced.

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyed the book. Perhaps there were issues with plot or style but it was an enjoyable read. I could see recommending it if it were of a specific genre or trope or series. Most of what I read could easily fall into this category and I’d be a happy camper.

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a good book. Like a really good book. I will think about this book when I’m finished, and there’s a really good chance I’ll buy it for my personal library if it was a KU read. I’d recommend it to other readers of the same genre or trope. I’ll definitely search out other books by this author, probably as soon as I’m finished reading.

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wow. Just wow. Amazing book, amazing story. If there were flaws in the book I’m completely overlooking them because in my mind the book was sheer perfection. I didn’t want the book to end and I’m immediately adding it to my favorites and my re-read pile. And if there’s an audio version I might have to buy that, too. I have a book hangover, I miss the characters, and I feel actual, physical loss in my life when this book is finished.

Thanks for joining me this week! Let’s dive in!

1. Brim Over Boot, By Emmy Sanders ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

   Kindle Unlimited, 315 pages

   Would I re-read this book? Possibly.

   This is book 2 of 3 in the Darling Brothers series of standalone MM romance books and was one of the new releases from last week that I was looking forward to reading. This story follows Colton Darling and Noah King, both farriers in this smallish Montana town and therefore business rivals. For years they’ve battled each other, vying for each other’s business while seething at the sight of each other. And that old tale of hate and love being only a breath apart, well, of course that’s the case for Colt and Noah. This is a true gay awakening story for both men, and as such, you need some suspended disbelief I suppose. They’re both in their late 30’s and suddenly they fall for each other without much turmoil, either personally or professionally. But it was a fun story regardless.

2. Name From a Hat Trick, by L.A. Witt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Kindle Edition, $5.49m 426 pages.

   Would I re-read this book? Yes.

   Hockey star Jase Kelly scores a hat trick and when fans litter the ice with hats in celebration, he finds a note pinned inside one from a young fan and her dad. The young fan suffers from severe migraines and can’t go to hockey games so Jase emails her dad to set up a special event for her to attend a private event. The dad, Devin, just thinks this is an autograph signing and has no idea that Jase has pulled out all the stops to make this day so special for his daughter. And Jase has no idea that he’s about to fall head over heels for Devin. This was a great gay awakening story, but also included a lot about panic and anxiety and those with sensory issues too. Lots to unpack in this story with respect to neurodivergent issues if that’s something you’d want to delve into.

3. Out of the Woods, by Hannah Bonam-Young. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Kindle Edition, $12.99, 324 pages.

   Would I re-read this book? Yes.

   This is the follow up to Out on a Limb, though each could be read as a standalone book. I liked this book just as much as that one, and would recommend them both. FMC Sarah was struggling to find her purpose in life and I really liked how the author was able to reconcile that struggle with those closest to Sarah as well. It doesn’t just affect the one struggling - it affects those around her as well. I thought it was handled very well and that plot line brought this book to a solid 5 star read for me.

4. Unforgettable, by Marley Valentine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

   Kindle Unlimited, 242 pages.

   Would I re-read this book? Yes.

   OK, I’ve liked everything by this author, and this was certainly no different. Part of what drives me to keep reading the MM romance genre I think is the woefully misunderstood men and the awful relationships they have with their families. I love when progress is made and they find new ground and reach a sort of new understanding with each other and there was a lot of that in this book. It’s so supremely satisfying for me to see the male ego get healed that way. This story follows Oz, the youngest of 4 kids in a family of overachievers, who meets Reeve on a dating app and they agree to a one night stand but end up working together. When they see each other again, they realize that there could be feelings there, but there’s also fear and mistrust, which overrides everything else. I loved both characters as well as the supporting cast in the book.

5. Romeo Falling, by Jesse H. Reign ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Kindle Unlimited, 340 pages

   Would I re-read this book? 100% yes. Purchased it to re-read later.

   This was a beautiful book. I love the single POV stories, apparently. The depth of emotion in this was so well written, and the love and loss and heartache was so deep I could feel it. I cried right along with Jude and Romeo multiple times in this story. I wanted to reach into the book and shake them and have them look at each other and say “HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE WHAT’S GOING ON BETWEEN YOU TWO?” but of course, that’s not how this works. But the angst was top tier and the redemption was perfect. After last week’s Jesse H. Reign book The Legend Next Door that didn’t resonate for me at all, this one felt so much sweeter. I already want to forget about it so I can read it again.

6. Swan Song, by Elin Hilderbrand ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

   Kindle Edition, $14.99, 380 pages

   Would I re-read this book? Yes.

   As an end to her Nantucket series of books, what a swan song it was. This book had everything you’d want from an Elin Hilderbrand book - mystery, scandal, smarmy neighbors, crazy rich white people, everything. It included lots of her repeat cast of characters from many of her other favorite books, a great plot that weaves throughout the book, all in all a really solid read.

7. Faith & Fidelity, by Tere Michaels ⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Kindle Edition, $6.99, 292 pages.

   Would I re-read this book? Probably not.

   I found this book via TikTil and it was one I hadn’t heard of before so I had high hopes. It was ok. Nothing terribly original in here, widower cop with 4 kids falls for a fellow former cop, first time falling for a man for each of them. The normal struggles ensue which cause the usual 3rd act breakup and subsequent 4th act reconciliation, etc. It was ok, nice to see it all work out in the end. This plot has been done many times and it’s been done better.

That’s it for this week! As always, you can keep up with all of my reading on my Goodreads if you want to. https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12921106-karen

Love, Karen