Genre: Contemporary Romance

Featuring a genius title that fits the story both literally and metaphorically, Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka is a wholesome and cute contemporary romance novel with trace elements of magical realism and speculative fiction elements. While clearly intended to be an opposites-attract romance story haunted by the literal ghosts of their exes, Seeing Other People is also a heartwarming story about grief and unexpected friendships that’s simple, easy to read, and tackles an emotional premise without being depressing or difficult for sensitive readers to get through. Though this book didn’t have the strongest introspective and reflective writing chops I was hoping for, it’s still a cute book that has a lot of mass appeal, perfectly suited for light-hearted romance readers looking for something with a bit more weight than their usual. “Maybe no one ever really leaves. They just…change. From souls to soil, shattered pieces to loving completion, dreams to dust to memory. They live on, the ghosts of past lives made new forever.” As a reader that loves ghost stories, I was intrigued by Seeing Other People’s premise that’s genius on paper. Presented in a dual-perspective presentation, the book follows landscape and gardening enthusiast Morgan…

What if the Ghost of Christmas Past was a rugged Irish sailor whose latest assignment is to haunt a festive antique shop owner who appears far from the typical charge in need of a drastic ghostly intervention. The first book in her new winter-set series, B.K. Borison’s Good Spirits is a fun holiday romance book that has a nice balance of wintery magic, self-reflection and character growth. Embracing the sugary and over the top haphazard holiday trends that are sure to delight, this book is highly accessible like a Hallmark channel movie flavored with added spice. Although I personally found the overall execution and focus of the book to be a bit disappointing compared to Borison’s other works, it’s still a fun time and a generally strong holiday read. While marketed and intended to be a holiday book given its premise surrounding the Ghost of Christmas Past, one of the book’s best aspects is that its story is one that has a lot of substance and character work outside of the typical material of most holiday genre books. The story’s premise involves Nolan Callahan observing and walking Harriet York through past memories, moments where her decisions may have affected the…

NOTE: As of late Jan 2026, Ong announced that this book’s release is cancelled and will no longer be published by Berkley. Although the ARC listing for this book has been removed, I will be keeping this review up unless requested otherwise. Do note that Ong’s 2nd book referenced in the review likely is also cancelled at this time. This review is based on a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy provided by Berkley Publishing Group. In the wrestling ring, the Dragon faces off against the Ice Prince in a no holds match for the championship belt on live entertainment. Featuring a scrappy up and coming wrestler paired opposite the ruthlessly cold history-making champion, the path to glory and success seems so straightforward until feelings get involved, pun intended. Celine Ong’s debut novel Hold Me Like a Grudge is an entertaining and witty queer sports romance story full of the expected adrenaline-fueled fights, choreographed training arcs, and entertainment industry shenanigans one would expect in a wrestling focused rivals to lovers narrative. Yet beyond the spotlight and headlining matches, this book is so much more. Backed up by strong platonic and romantic chemistry, excellent character writing, and earnest themes of acceptance and found family,…

This review is based on a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy provided by Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing. As a genre, contemporary romance has been crossed with just about every topic and premise under the sun. Romance with musical elements is nothing new, but Erin Connor’s take on the concept is uniquely distinctive thanks to its commitment to the metal band focus. Where most star-crossed romance novels have swoony and smooth vocals, this book features mosh pits, overstuffed tour vans, and adrenaline-fueled passion that can only be found in a hardcore battle of the bands music festival. Centered around a second chance romance storyline and forced proximity through professional work trope, Still Into You is a solid romance novel with a swoony romance and well-written music industry storylines that are far more developed and insightful than expected. I originally picked up this book based on the positive reception around Connor’s debut novel Unromance that I had never gotten around to reading when it was first published. Going into her second book blind, I was immediately impressed by Still Into You’s compelling music and band elements that go much further than typical for the romance genre (spent too long trying to…

Mixing the popular tropes including sports romance, British-American culture clashing, and sports vs academic prowess, See You at the Finish Line is a M/M romance book that simultaneously feels familiar while also quite different from other similar books. Besides revolving around a less popular sport within the sports romance book genre (somewhat shocking considering two of the rowing positions are called the cox and stroke, the pun opportunities are endless), this is a romance book that prioritizes its main characters’ individual journeys and growth inspired by each other, rather than straightforward romantic coupling. Full of university-set drama and effective plotting, this book seamlessly blends romance and queer literature, telling a story with far more substance and intention than meets the eye. Endearingly sweet, well-intentioned, with just a little bit of light-hearted cringe for comedic purposes, See You at the Finish Line by Zac Hammett is a wonderful debut novel that’s a great sports novel for non-sports enthusiast as well as those looking for British university shenanigans. Before I get into the book’s strongest elements, there are a few notable elements that are worth mentioning that can be potential deal-breakers for some. While Hammett has utilized it as a very effective…