June was a busy month, preparing for the release of To Know a Dragon Spy, but I did read a few books I enjoyed:
How to Fake It in Society by K.J. Charles (M/M historical romance): This book was delightful and I had the best time reading it. Shopkeeper and paint-maker, Titus finds himself unexpectedly (and quickly) married, widowed, and wealthy after he makes a delivery to an elderly client and finds her on her deathbed. She claims her horrid nephew is responsible, and she needs to marry to keep him from inheriting her wealth. Now everyone is trying to cozy up to and take advantage of Titus, including Nico, Comte de Valois de La Motte and Titus's late wife's original fake intended. Nico owes some very bad people a lot of money and was relying on the windfall of the marriage. Titus and Nico are lovely together. Nico is definitely a rogue and a schemer but he's also an utter cinnamon roll, who does everything he can to make Titus happy.
The Consort's Curse by Eliot Grayson (M/M fantasy romance): I love this series, and I was so excited about another book! And this one was so fun and bonkers in the best possible way. Remi has been locked away in a monastery since his magic manifested years ago, but then he is abruptly taken away from the island where he has been sheltered and dragged back to the capital and its glittering court, then forced to marry. He becomes a pawn in the political schemes of his new in-laws and society, but though he is sweet and sheltered, he isn't a pushover, and I loved his romance with his husband—also not what he seems. There are a couple of cameos from characters from book 3 in the series, but this does generally standalone. I loved book 3, though, so I'd say go read it! Meanwhile, I'll be hoping for more in this series soon.
Bright Dead Things by Hailey Turner (M/M romantasy/urban fantasy): Bran is a witch, the last in his coven, after his mother is murdered. Her death has him rushing back to his small hometown, both to take care of his younger sister and to take up his mother's duties. He didn't really want to see Cillian, his childhood best friend who is now a park ranger. Bran kissed Cillian once and was rejected and they haven't spoken since. Then, Bran's sister is kidnapped by fae and taken into their world, and Bran is determined to find her despite the danger—because fae and witches are longstanding enemies. Cillian insists on going with him on his journey into the fae's world, and what follows is a dangerous journey and a lot of revelations. The focus here is mostly fantasy, but there is romance too between Bran and Cillian. No cliffhangers but definitely some threads left hanging for the next book.
Cauldrons & Campfires by Ali K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison (F/F paranormal romance): This book is so fun! It's a spin off of the authors' Maple Hollow series (which is also delightful), but this story brings us to a summer camp for witches. To become members of Maple Hollow's coven, college-age witches have to spend four summers at the camp, practicing magic and participating in more mundane summer camp activities. In this book, we get a romance between Sabine, back at camp for her fourth summer and eager for it to be over so she can leave small-town Maple Hollow and move to New York City, and Gwen, who didn't even know she was a witch until she accidentally turned her ex-boyfriend into a toad and now feels horribly out of place at camp. No need to read the Maple Hollow series first, but those books are lots of fun too (and have all sorts of autumnal vibes).
What have you read lately?
RSS Feed