Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 05-23-2025

IT'S THE #1 BOOK ON ALL OF AMAZON KINDLE RIGHT NOW!! HOCKEY STAR ROMANCE!!

"...when I was nineteen, we broke each other's hearts. Six years later, I've landed an internship with a big-name interior designer in a new city. Unfortunately, that city just so happens to be the one he plays hockey for.

I thought Chicago was big enough to avoid him, until I get the surprise of a lifetime and unknowingly move in right next door. Even worse? The renovation project I'm assigned to in hopes of turning that internship into my full-time dream job...

It's his house..."

LIVE!! BOOK #3 IN THE SERIES! LOVE TRIANGLE?? OH IT SOUNDS GOOOOOOD!

"...Gabriella Jacobson has one goal for her freshman year of college: Get Matthew Cory to fall in love with her.

...When Gabby panics before her first date with Matt, she begs Ben to show her how to kiss. But Ben has a secret, one he’s been keeping from Gabby for years. He’s in love with her. 

One kiss turns into two, leaving Gabby confused and scared that their friendship might not survive the unforeseen emotions. She avoids Ben until something unexpected changes his life forever, and he’s forced to drop out of school. 

Gabby tries to contact him, but he won’t respond. And Matthew Cory, her sister’s ex-boyfriend and handsome law student, is ready to fill the void Ben left behind..."

LIVE!! HISTORICAL ROMANCE

"From USA Today Bestselling Author Darcy Burke, author of The Untouchables and Phoenix Club series, comes your next Regency romance must-read--the Rogue Rules.

When a young lady is ruined, her friends vow none of them will ever be ensnared by a scoundrel again. They will resist every gentleman’s charms even—and especially—if it means gaining a reputation for being impossible to woo. It will take extraordinary rogues to break their rules..."

READER RECOMMENDATION!! AND I LOVED THIS ONE TOO!! P.S. Here's my review!!

"This scintillating tale about a jaded werewolf and a captivating young witch from the Immortals After Dark series is “delicious [and] sizzling” (Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author)—from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Kresley Cole."

Lisa: I've lost count how many times I've read it, but it's one of my all-time faves...Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole. Book 4 of the Immortals After Dark series, but I read it as a stand alone because I love it so much! Bowen and Mariketa 4ever! 😍

LIVE!! MAFIA ROMANCE!!

"I took a Bratva bullet. Got their princess pregnant. Now my dead brother wants us both six feet under.

I broke the code—touched my best friend's sister. Broke her heart—left her behind with my baby. Broke myself—became the monster I swore I'd never be.

...

My dying best friend made me swear: Protect Vanya. Blood oath sealed in his last breath. Now she owns my nights. And I own the secret she's hiding..."

READER RECOMMENDATION!! MARIANA ZAPATA'S LATEST!!! I absolutely LOVE this author like crazy and I AM BESIDE myself that this one is LIVE!

"...Once upon a time, a girl found a magical puppy, and her life was never the same again.

Nina Popoca needs help. So, so much of it. The only place she can find that help is on a sprawling ranch in Colorado. A place hiding more than a community filled with magical creatures trying to live their lives in safety and in peace. A village that might hold the answers to questions she’s had her entire life.

And if that ranch is owned by her best friend’s hunky cousin? …there are worse things in the world than having to live right by Henri Blackrock..."

Kvk: Mariana Zapata’s The Things We Water (amazing. Creative. Fun). 

Sandra: All you had to say was Mariana Zapata! ❤️

Mary Ann: did you say Mariana Zapata? It’s been awhile. Queen of slow burn. The Wall of Winnipeg is my favorite.

Maria: I LOVEEEEE Mariana Zapata!!!

LIVE!! FANTASY ROMANCE

Of Skulls of Shackles is a dark fantasy romance thoroughly drenched with the morally gray and it is intended for mature audiences. This story contains monsters with manners, heaped teaspoons of spice, magical impossibilities, and not many conventional things at all, really.

LIVE!! HISTORICAL ROMANCE!! HE'S HER GRUMPY NEIGHBOR

"Sometimes all you need is a nefarious plot. And a handsome marquess.

Sybil Taunton has no interest in resting after her last mission, never mind that it left her chained in a cellar. Rest is boring. And when someone begins targeting members of the Spinster Society, Sybil is ready to storm London’s most exclusive gentlemen’s club, steal the infamous betting book, and force her grumpy, oh-so-proper neighbor into helping her..."

LIVE!! SMALL TOWN ROMANCE!!

"He came to ravage my land. So I showed him how a real cowgirl fights.

And Lord help me, that slick-talking bastard made me want to surrender."

"...When a Chicago billionaire shows up to take my family’s ranch, I don’t flinch. I fix fences. I ride barrels. I bury my grief in grit and hard work. But Ketch Lancaster is not your average suit. He’s dangerous. Beautiful. And carrying secrets deeper than the river bend. I was supposed to hate him.

But when the fire comes, when the land cracks open and I’m about to lose everything—I reach for the one man I swore I’d never trust. Even if I lose the ranch, I can’t lose what we have. Because what burns between us is wildfire. And it won’t go down without a fight..."

LIVE!! SHE'S A BEST SELLING AUTHOR ON THE RUN!

"...I'm the reformed bad boy. She's the best-selling author on the run. What I never expected was for her to become my obsession.

The second her eyes meet mine at the airport, something ignites in my blood. When she accepts my offer of shelter, I know Savannah James is a temptation I can't resist. Her secrets mirror the darkness I've buried..."

READER RECOMMENDATION FANTASY ROMANCE SERIES & THERE'S SOOOOO MUCH LOVE FOR IT!!!

Amazon.com and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling dark fantasy romance series from authors Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti - a Booktok sensation!

"I’m a Gemini. Impulsive. Curious. Headstrong. A twin. Heir to a throne I know nothing about. And it turns out, I’m Fae."

Mary Ann: I am sucked in the Zodiac Academy world. It’s keeping me awake. Lol

Mona: I know I’m late to the game on this one but I started Zodiac Academy late last week and I’m already on book 5! Book 1 starts a little slow with learning the two FMC (twin sisters) but then it picks up and it is off and running! It is an adult version of Harry Potter meets Hunger Games. Is there a Book Readers Anonymous group I can join?? I can’t stop reading these books to clean house, cook dinner, go to the grocery store, sleep… well, you get the picture!

Jennifer: …the Zodiac Academy series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Fantastic series!!!!

Kristy: I’m on book 5. Totally sucked in. Love it!

Tessa: …have to finish another book I was HIGHLY anticipating …The 4th…from the Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. It’s one of my favorite series from last year. Though, the book is HUGE. lol 733 pages! Yet so far, not a wasted word.