what i'm reading (& buying lately)

I sidelined myself this week by starting The Last of Us, a show I previously refused to watch because it looked impossibly sad and anxiety inducing. One year later, I started it while already feeling impossibly anxious! This silly decision is exactly what happens when I get into a bit of a reading slump. I am also watching The Pitt. Clearly, self preservation instincts are out the window. Here’s what I’ve read since we last checked in.

Megan Montgomery’s Morgue to Love, Undertaking Love, The Bones of Love, A Last Responder’s Romance series. I really enjoyed this series. It featured rival morticians, crime scene investigation, lots of vomiting in the morgue, meditations on birth and death, kink, and religion. They take place in Tennessee and you really get a good sense of place, a place that isn’t LA or NYC.  A+ character development and writing. Each one felt just a touch too long for me, which may have been my mood, as these were pretty dark books on the whole. There’s a surprise baby, good enemies to lovers, and a satisfyingly messy marriage of convenience. In particular, I liked the neurodivergent representation (possibly more important now than ever!) in the first book’s heroine as she navigates how to reconcile her death work and pregnancy. The second book’s heroine is a former nude model / founder of a sex positive publication and openly discusses her sex work alongside her funeral director work in a very influencey way that didn’t feel inauthentic. She is one of the first heroines I’ve read to openly discuss her implants, fillers, and Botox in a no nonsense positive way (I look hot! It helped with my modeling!). The third book involves a Greek Orthodox priest and a Wiccan death doula (more hot priest books!) Overall, I am so glad to have found this author and these books, but I do think in the wake of this series, I need a little sunshine. 

Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar - I think this is a lovely little book. Somewhat My Best Friend’s Wedding and somewhat Pride and Prejudice (so much is, right?). It was such a fun look at Hindi and Tamil cultures, and I think we need more of that in romance. However, for me…there were just not enough stakes. I really need to feel like the situation is life or death, the situation could ruin your life! That is not to say every book should feel like White Out or a paranormal but I need to really feel some stakes. OR I need us to be having some bonkers bananas sex on page. SORRY! I am just built for one of two options in romance. I can take the quiet, lovely meander of a story but I need y’all to be burning up the sheets in the meantime. I will still definitely read Kumar’s second novel, Flirting with Disaster, which is being reviewed as an Indian Sweet Home Alabama. Say less!

To Beguile a Beast, Legend of the Four Soldiers series. Hoyt, Hoyt, Hoyt. Girl, you never lead me astray. I finished this series (yes, the one brother does come back from the dead though that book had some not great Indigenous reps). THIS BOOK is the star of the series. Our hero is clearly the Beast. He lives in a decrepit Scottish castle. He’s a weird science guy. He was tortured and maimed in the war and WEARS AN EYE PATCH. The heroine is a mistress on the run with her two kids. Yes, she has been a kept woman of a Duke for her entire adult life and even sired him children that he couldn’t give less of a fuck about. What more could I ask for? I love when romance takes what is historically the “other woman” character and gives her a full arc. While Helen is ashamed of what illegitimacy could mean for her children, she is not necessarily ashamed or regretful about her life. She is a fully realized character and everyone loves her for it!!! (me, I am everyone). The children do not feel like sunshine plot muppets with the emotional depth of an adult. They feel like children, and weird ones at that.  

What I’ve bought lately - yes, is that collapse of global trade inspired recklessness loading?

Outstanding preorders: I have perhaps three outstanding orders? Mind your business! Also if you perhaps want to buy romance novels from a romance bookstore and don’t know where to begin, say you want a mixed box of surprises? Allow me to assist you! I am realizing my dream as an unpaid and unaffiliated personal shopper.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon: non binary + fem best friends on the honeymoon together after the wedding called off, a tried and true formula. What could possibly happen? I know but I also heard this will singe your eyebrows off! 

I have also got The Twisted Throne coming (Bridge Kingdom 5) and the new Carissa Broadbent rerelease. 

No Ordinary Love: Seems a bit if Beyonce divorced Jay Z and then dated Jalen Hurts. Intrigued…

When the Tides Held the Moon: Remember that movie that won an Oscar that everyone got mad about where the lady fell in love with the fish man but I kinda loved? This seems to be close to that. But gay. And Puerto Rican. If there was an AI generator (I don’t use AI!!!) of “Books for Britt”, this plot would come out of it.

What Happens in Amsterdam: I looooove Rachel Lynn Soloman. If you want a good mental health / SSRI rep, look no further than her books. This is a second chance in Amsterdam marriage of convenience. I don’t know how but I trust her!

In case you were wondering if my reckless spending only extended to books, you’ll be happy to know I ordered:

• weird vintage Transformers toys from my favorite toy store online

• a barrel jean that all my Gen Z coworkers complimented me on and did not make me look like a 5’7” clown

• I am considering Pottery Barn twin size quilts on eBay for my son that are half the price of the new ones (my eBay addiction is vast and contains multitudes)

• I think I need a new sneaker because my knees are killing me lately but then again I never pick the most supportive :)

talk soon,

Britt