"This is a risk. The idea of loving him, of losing him, scares me to death But living safe hasn't made me happy. Hasn't brought me joy. We're on the path. Now we have to keep going. Day by day. Step by step. That's how we'll climb the mountain. That's how we'll get to the top."

GENRE: Romance
RATING:4.75/5
FORMAT:eBook Arc
Tropes:Grumpy x Sunshine, Found Family, Only one Tenet, City Girl x Country Boy, Dislike to Lovers

Review:
If you've been around for a while, you know I love grumpy x sunshine and the reason is that we get to see beneath BOTH of these type of personalities. While they're both on the opposite end of personality types, they stem from the same thing: hiding the vulnerabilities of who we are and eventually, really, it becomes who we are.

Walk this Way focuses on both Angus and Rowan as they meet during their hike that they both need as a breather from life and just stepping away from everything else. These two individuals are looking to heal in this walk set in the highlands in Scotland with beautiful views.

We dive deep in this book in a lot of themes, including grief, mental health, struggling to fit in and accepting who you are and finding your place in the world. There is also discussion of family, how they shape us and how unconditional love may not be so unconditional or at least, it never truly feels that way.

The author does an amazing job of diving into these themes, showing us how heavy some things are in life and how we cope with them. Some of us (Rowan) cope by putting up a front, wearing clothes that are bright and trying to bring them brightness into our lives through that means. Others (Angus) go back home and reclaim the space we always called home, while trying to make it our own.

Essentially, this is a journey of two characters finding each other, learning more about themselves and making their way back to each other when they are both ready, rather than rushing into it. I think it was a lovely book and the fact that it's set in Scotland is a bonus point with a Scottish hiking trip and beautiful description of the Highlands. Oh and the found family/friends they make along the way? So wholesome! I think we get a little insight into all of their lives in a way that doesnt take anything out of Angus & Rowan's story and I enjoyed that so much!

Thank you to the author for the Arc copy in the exchange for my honest opinion.

"To those readers, I simply say, look closer. The path to happily ever after is rarely a straight line. And every love story - no matter how predictable - is always earned."

GENRE: Romance
RATING:4.25/5
FORMAT:eBook Arc
Tropes: This one is in the book cover as given by the title (love this!)

Review:
Tropesick was an interesting (in the best of ways) read, one that is filled with emotions and sadness. I'll admit it definitely broke my heart and fixed it, only to have it broken again throughout reading the book.

This is a SAD Romance with a HEA. It's sad because it's true, love stories aren't always easy. Not everyone finds their person and hits it off immediately without life getting in the way and oh, how life got in the way for these two. When it's time to try again, it's difficult because giving anyone a second chance is like saying to them that actually, hey, you hurt me so much the first time but I love you so wholeheartedly that I'll give you another chance so please don't hurt me again

Both Katie and Tyler are hurt and broken from the past, from losing someone close to them and the aftermath of it all. Katie, dressed in all colourful and glitter, is trying so hard to hold it all together and pretending to be normal. She's struggling with grief, loss and so much more after losing her brother. Meanwhile Tyler, who lost his best friend (Katie's brother), has to continue to face his inner demons and we all know those never rest and let us breathe.

And when they come together to ghostwrite for Meredith Bradford? Oh, the sparks that fly. The way they start to be vulnerable and learn who they are again while healing from their past.

There's a lot of emotional heaviness in Tropesick, it's worth ensuring you're in the right headspace before you dive into it and checking the trigger warnings for this book but what's a little Romance and love story if it doesnt hurt in the process, especially if it has a little bit of magic in it?

I will say that while I really enjoyed reading the story, I think the main thing that brought the rating down a bit for me was that the connections between the tropes, the story that Katie & Tyler were writing and their own story was a bit all over the place. We have dual-pov, timeline jumps and two stories happening at once so it was a tad bit a lot at times to keep up but it was a well worth journey at the end of it, to see how their love story folded out.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy in the exchange for my honest opinion.

"In a world without discernment, in the attempt to give everything a chance, you could die without tasting chocolate. I was not sorry."

GENRE: Lit Fic/Romance
RATING:5/5
FORMAT:eBook Arc

Overall Impression:WHAT A BOOK!!! This is the type of book that will linger long after I've finished it, as it breaks down in my head in the best of ways.

Review:
WHAT A BOOK!!!! Okay, I repeat, what a book.

Bad Words is a tale in which we have two different people who come together with all the intentions of hating one another and we watch it blossom into a love story. It's a story in which we meet Parker, the chronic people pleaser as he argues with Selina, our critic who wants to preserve art, criticism and staying honest to oneself.

This book delivers a commentary on two different parts of the Book world: an author and a critic while being witty, funny and just bluntly honest about the reasons humans do the things we do. It shows how criticism is important, and yet with the world we live in today, everyone can comment on anything that's been said and done.

At the same time, Bad Words dives into what it means to be a human and to want to be loved. It delves into the fact that Parker, a people pleaser and a peace chaser, has never felt seen before Selina. He goes through life with a way of fitting in between people, wanting to be loved AND yet, when all is said and done, he cant help but feel that he did a disservice to himself. This results in him realising that people never understood his work and the themes he wanted to deliver with his book.

Selina defies this by sticking to her principles, by being that one corner in the literature world that is honest. There was a beauty in her perspective, the way she loved what she did and was honest to it. The way that she wouldn't sacrifice this just to appeal to people or more accurately, to please them.

We also dive into the affect of social media and how, at all times, if something goes wrong or viral, everyone is going to have an input and without barriers in place, you can get stuck in there and never come out of it. None of us can ever truly know the people we interact with on social media and more importantly, we get to see that anyone who writes (Authors, critics...etc.) put their soul into their work but the interpretation of it is left upon us readers to look into.

I dont know if this review can do justice to how much I enjoyed this book, how I flew through it and how funny yet powerful & emotional it was. Its a beautiful blend of Literary fiction with Romance together in a way that shows us all we really want is someone to rise up to who we are and to see us truly rather than someone who wishes to change us.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy in the exchange for my honest opinion.

I've been thinking about what happened at Book Con with Tracy Deonn and how that correlates to what happened last summer at Sinners and Stardust in Boston. These two things have one thing in common that is both simple and complex. Parasocial relationships. As we ramp up book convention season here are some things to think about.

When a reader walks into a convention space, their behavior often shifts faster than they expect or realize. Social psychology explains this phenomenon well. Environments shape norms. Norms shape behavior.

Researchers like Philip Zimbardo showed how quickly people adjust to roles based on context. In convention settings, the cues are clear. Costumes, fandom language, themed spaces, and shared identity all signal that this is not everyday life. The result is a temporary suspension of usual social boundaries. This is often called deindividuation, a concept studied by psychologist Leon Festinger. I have been to many conventions in the last five years, and I have witnessed this time and again, and I have started to call it convention liberation. When people feel less tied to their individual identity, they rely more on group norms. At conventions, the group norm leans toward openness, intensity, and emotional expression.

That shift can feel freeing. Many attendees report a sense of permission. They speak more openly, flirt more directly, and express admiration with fewer filters. Sociologist Erving Goffman described social life as a performance. Conventions function like a stage where the “front stage” rules change. You are no longer bound to your usual script.

At the same time, another process is happening. Parasocial relationships are activated and intensified. The term was first defined by Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels emotional closeness toward a public figure who does not know them. Media exposure builds familiarity. Repeated exposure builds perceived intimacy. As a reader, many of these authors share tidbits about their lives with their readers online, and coupled with reading their books, which gives the reader what feels like a peek into the soul of the author, this gives the reader the sense that they deeply know these authors.

At a convention, that perceived intimacy meets physical proximity.

That combination creates a mismatch. The attendee feels like they are meeting someone they already know. The person behind the table is meeting a stranger while trying to do their job. This gap drives a sense of entitlement. Research on parasocial bonds shows that people often overestimate reciprocity. They expect warmth, time, emotional engagement, or even physical closeness because the relationship feels real on their side.

You see this in behavior. People interrupt conversations. They push for personal details. They expect extended interactions beyond what the setting allows. Some cross physical boundaries, as we saw at Sinner and Stardust. Others treat access as a right rather than a limited resource.

There is also a structural factor. Conventions blur lines between access and labor. Writers, actors, and artists are marketed as approachable. The setting encourages connection. Yet these individuals are working. They are managing time, energy, and often large crowds. The labor includes emotional regulation. They are expected to be kind, engaged, and responsive even when faced with invasive behavior. They often have to perform overly exaggerated positivity, which can be tremendously draining.

This creates a tension between two sets of norms. Attendees operate under a temporary norm of liberation. Workers operate under professional norms and constraints.

The result is predictable. Boundary violations increase in environments where norms are unclear or shifting. Studies on norm ambiguity show that when expectations are not explicit, people rely on internal desires or group cues. At conventions, those cues often prioritize enthusiasm over restraint.

Clear boundaries reduce this problem. When expectations are stated and enforced, behavior shifts quickly. People follow norms when they are visible and reinforced. This aligns with decades of research on social conformity.

So what is happening is not random. It is patterned.

A high stimulation environment lowers inhibition. Group identity increases emotional expression. Parasocial bonds create a sense of closeness. Structural ambiguity around roles creates entitlement.

All of these factors converge in one space. The result feels like freedom for some people. For others, especially those working the event, it feels like constant boundary management.

Understanding this helps reframe the issue. The behavior is not about individual morality alone. It is about context shaping perception, expectation, and action.

If you want that moment to feel meaningful without crossing a line, focus on intention and respect.

Pause before you step up. Remind yourself this is a brief, shared interaction, not a personal relationship. That small mental reset changes how you show up.

Keep your words specific and contained. Share one sentence about what their work meant to you. For example, “Your book helped me feel less alone during a hard time.” That lands. It doesn't require a long response or emotional labor.

Watch for cues. If the line is moving, keep it moving. If the person shifts their body, looks to the next attendee, or shortens responses, that is your signal to wrap up.

Ask before you extend the interaction. A quick “Is it okay if I ask one more thing?” gives them control. If they hesitate, let it go.

Respect physical space. Do not assume touch is welcome. A simple “Can I get a photo?” or “Is a hug okay?” keeps consent clear.

Avoid personal or intrusive questions. You are there to appreciate their work, not access their private life.

Decide your boundary ahead of time. Go in knowing you will keep it brief, kind, and grounded.

Meaning does not come from how long the interaction lasts. It comes from clarity, respect, and presence in a short moment.

Happy pub day!! This week’s releases?? We’ve got dragons and deadly fae politics, cozy coastal romances, existential end-of-the-world heartbreak, and a few that had me fully spiraling in the best (and slightly unsettling) way 👀

Some of these are immediate adds. Some… depend on your mood.

Let’s get into it.

🖤 Blood Bound
Read or skip: READ (especially if you live for powerful female friendships + dragons)
Rating: 4.5 stars

This one?? Yeah, it got me.

Dragons. Witches. Dual POV women who are not romantically involved but somehow give Aelin + Manon energy?? I was locked in.

The female friendship here is everything I want more of in romantasy: complicated, respectful, layered, and rooted in strength instead of competition. They don’t dim each other. They challenge each other.

And the dragons?? Fully realized personalities. They TALK. They have opinions. I was obsessed.

The plot moves fast with enough twists to keep you theorizing, and while I would’ve loved a little more depth in certain parts of the worldbuilding, the character dynamics absolutely carry this.

Final thought: A romantasy that remembers the women at the center, and lets them be powerful together.

🖤 Amid Clouds and Bones
Read or skip: READ (for dark fae + strategic FMCs)
Rating: 4 stars

Think The Cruel Prince… but darker, sharper, and way more brutal in its politics.

This is true enemies-to-lovers with an arranged marriage that actually feels dangerous. The MMC is cruel in a way that never lets you get too comfortable, and the FMC? She doesn’t shrink. She adapts. She plots.

I loved watching her learn how to survive in a world designed to break her. Every interaction feels like a chess match.

Also: standalone romantasy??? We love to see it.

Final thought: Smart, dark, and strategic with a heroine who refuses to be outplayed.

🌊 Summer Flames
Read or skip: READ (if you want cozy, small-town summer vibes)
Rating: 4 stars

This one feels like golden hour in book form.

Harbor-town setting, summer festivals, café scenes, and that quiet “what am I doing with my life?” energy that hits a little too close sometimes.

It’s more atmospheric than plot-heavy, but it works. The story leans into character growth and those small, meaningful shifts, figuring out what to hold onto and what to let go of.

If you like authors like Debbie Macomber or Elin Hilderbrand, this is very much your lane.

Final thought: Soft, reflective, and perfect for when you want something that feels like summer.

🔍 How to Cheat Your Own Death
Read or skip: READ (especially if you love cozy mysteries with bite)
Rating: 4.5 stars

I’m calling it now: this might be my favorite in this series so far.

Dual timelines that both actually work?? Rare. And I was equally invested in both.

You’ve got 1960s Soho glamour, present-day murder, and a mystery that connects in a way that kept me fully locked in. Add in sharp banter, an armchair detective vibe, and just enough darkness to keep the stakes real.

Also… Detective Crane?? I need answers. Immediately.

Final thought: Cozy mystery energy with layered storytelling and a plot that actually sticks the landing.

🌲 Dark Is When the Devil Comes
Read or skip: READ (with caveats)
Rating: 3.75 stars

This book had me tense the entire time.

Small town. Missing woman. Creepy woods. Multiple POVs. And that constant feeling that something is wrong in a way you can’t quite name.

The atmosphere?? Incredible. Truly unsettling in that slow-burn way where you’re just waiting for everything to snap.

My only issue: the ending felt rushed compared to the buildup, and there were a few threads that could’ve used more focus.

Final thought: Super eerie and emotionally heavy, but it needed a little more time to fully land.

🕯️ Hex House
Read or skip: READ (for feminist horror + dark fairy tale vibes)
Rating: 4 stars

This is one of those books that uses horror to actually say something.

It dives into domestic abuse, autonomy, rage, and transformation in a way that feels intentional and grounded, not just aesthetic darkness for the sake of it.

The dual POV works really well here, and I loved the investigative/documentary angle layered into the story. It keeps the mystery front and center while still giving us deep character work.

Also: this reads like a dark feminist fairy tale in the best way.

Final thought: Heavy, atmospheric, and thematically strong with something real to say.

🎭 Break Room
Read or skip: SKIP (unless you want something deeply introspective)
Rating: 3.5 stars

This is less “fun thriller” and more “quiet existential spiral.”

The premise is so good (coworkers voted as the most disliked people forced into a reality show to uncover a mole), but the story leans heavily into introspection over action.

Which isn’t a bad thing… just not what everyone will expect going in.

It really makes you sit with uncomfortable questions about how we perceive others, and how we’re perceived in return.

Final thought: Thought-provoking and sharp, but more reflective than entertaining.

🌌 We Burned So Bright
Read or skip: READ (bring tissues)
Rating: 4.25 stars

This one hurt.

An older queer couple on a road trip at the literal end of the world, and somehow it still feels deeply intimate and personal.

Their love story is the heart of this, and it’s done so beautifully. You feel the weight of a life lived together, the regrets, the memories, the quiet moments that matter most.

But just know: this doesn’t wrap you in comfort. It leaves you sitting in the emotion.

Final thought: Quietly devastating and beautifully written; this one lingers.

💭 Overall Take

If I had to narrow it down:
✨ Top picks: Blood Bound, How to Cheat Your Own Death, We Burned So Bright
✨ Best vibes read: Summer Flames
✨ For dark fantasy lovers: Amid Clouds and Bones + Hex House

And if you want something that makes you stare at a wall after… Break Room has entered the chat.

What are you picking up first?? 👀📚

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs!

As I announced Sunday on socials, I'm just returning from the world premier of La Casa De Los Espiritus in Santiago, Chile. I will be publishing a post tomorrow about my experience, as well as some thoughts on the first 2 episodes of the show.

Who's tuning in tomorrow when it premieres on Amazon Prime?

As we wind up April reads, I will be posting polls for when to have our spoilery discussions on Discord.

In addition, start planning your May reads: Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez for our main May selection and Accordion Eulogies by Noe Alvarez as our nonfiction sidequest through June.

And now onto the reasons you are here; this week's Latinx releases...

HISTORICAL FICTION

Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull (Audiobook)

PICTURE BOOK

Mami's Magic Words by Kiara Valdes and illustrated by Richy Sánchez Ayala

What Kind of Queen? A Royal Biography of Drag Queen and Activist José Sarria by Kyle Casey Chu & Andrew W Shaffer and Illustrated by Cindy Lozito

We the People Is All the People: A Picture Book by Howard W Reeves and Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Cheers,

Carmen

WIN A BOOK, and other important updates!

In case you missed it, I'm partnering with the Bay Area Book Festival and giving away a copy of The Reformatory by Tananarive Due! (Also if you're able to attend the festival, you get a meet and greet!) To enter: like this post and tag a friend.

Panels and Reading Updates

If you missed the news, I will be moderating an Indigenous romance panel at the festival this year!

Here are the books I'm reading in preparation:

Native Love Jams by Tashia Hart

When Stars Have Teeth by Dani Trujilo

Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson

I'm also moderating a chat at a local bookstore on June 6, with author Élan Les Vies, to celebrate his new book The Lemon Twist, so I'll be reading that this month, too!

Moderating at Bookcon was a dream! I was very prepared! (I read 8 thrillers in like 8 days!) and people even told me it was their favorite panel of the entire weekend!

I am very behind on book club books and the Toni Morrison read along and I don't see that improving much in May! (Thank GOD I leave the discord channels up for months, because I am the problem now, lol) I should have May's channels up this weekend.

I am also covering for coworker who's going to be out for 3 months, on deadline for an essay due in June, the Stanford Pow Wow is approaching, Florence and The Machine is in 2 weeks! and I'm hitting the road on Memorial Day weekend. You could say IM BOOKED AND BUSY!

While I may be participating less in bookclubs this month, my goal is to run Reading Sprints at least twice a week in the Discord! (TONIGHT 4pm PST/7pm EST)

When I was in NYC, I wanted to treat myself for all of my recent accomplishments. AND I DID. And the day after.... MY MACBOOK AIR crashed. Lmao. LIFE. I'm going to be listing a TON of special editions (probably everything except the horror) to Pango and a lot of other books to Pango to help me pay for a new laptop. I can't write this essay without a laptop. So if you're not following me on Pango yet, follow me now!

I brought 74 books home from NYC, so I'll likely unhaul 100 books in addition to the special editions. I have to start being more realistic about what I actually am going to read.

If you don't see anything on Pango that you want, but you want to support the new laptop fund, buy any book you want from my bookshop link (easily accessible by clicking on any book in this post.) I get a small percentage (usually $1-2 per book) but they do add up and everything helps. AND IF YOU HAVEN'T PREORDERED WHAT FEEDS BELOW YET...baby, now is the time! LOL.

Let me know if you want a more detailed blog post about my time in NYC: publisher parties, Bookcon, What Feeds Below arc handout!, Bookshopping, Megan Thee Stallion on Broadway!

Is anyone else a little hungover after finishing the last season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians… or is it just me? 🥲

Like I love it, but why does it feel like it’s moving sooo slow??

But it got me thinking… there are actually SO many Greek mythology books out there that hit just as good as Percy Jackson & the Olympians.

So I put together a full list on my blog with book recs for when you’re craving that same chaos, humor, and mythology energy.

If you’re not ready to leave that world yet (because same), this is for you:

New Blog Post: Books to Read If You’re Hungover After Watching Percy Jackson

Let me know if you’ve read any good mythology books lately because I’m always adding to my TBR 🤭📖

Happy New Release Tuesday! Here are the new releases we're excited for today!

• Molka by Monika Kim*

• The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva**

• Death Meets Cute by J. Penner**

• A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDimozio**

(* means Ryn has read an ARC and recommends, ** means this is a TBR book for Ryn!)

What are you looking forward to picking up today?

As a reminder, we have a Kickstarter! Please help us fund our brick-and-mortar location!

Our website is also back up and running! I will be listing books for sale soon there, but you can also find us on Pangobooks!

Thank you to everyone who entered our Golden Ticket giveaway, our winner has been announced and contacted! Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future!

Till next time!

SICKOS, it's Monday, and that means I wanna know what you're reading this week in the comments while I update you on what I got done last week and plan on working on this week!

READING

REVIEW

DAISY JONES & THE SIX by TAYLOR JENKINS REID (oral history fiction)

Progress: Finished

After very much enjoying Atmosphere, this makes TJR 2-for-2. I dug the interview style that bopped around multiple POVs, highlighting how the same interactions and stories can be told so many different ways, and the overall vibe of the music industry and the personal struggles that come with it. Only took a small tick off the rating for the ending, which mostly boils down to my personal preference, but ultimately this falls in the 4.5-plus star range and I've already got The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising on the way via Pango.

WE ARE LEGION (WE ARE BOB) - [Bobiverse #1] - by DENNIS E. TAYLOR (space science fiction)

Progress: 208/302

I took this on as a lighter read and while it has a reputation for being humorous, that's more so in the way that Project Hail Mary has elements of lightheartedness, which I prefer because it's not desperately trying to land joke after joke. I started this on audiobook (also, like PHM, narrated by Ray Porter) on the way to a book festival and independent bookstore hopping on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to get into despite some early hard science. It's not totally mind blowing or emotional yet but it's still a damn good time so far.

PREVIEW

I got zero nonfiction done last week but I do still plan on taking down War Against All Puerto Ricans this week before transitioning to the History Sickos book club winner for May, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. Speaking of book clubs, the Fiction Sickos book club will be reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler which I'll probably get to after my current read.

PUBLISHING IMPRINT NEWS

Still working on acquiring our second title for Kist Reads and we should have an official audiobook announcement for A Complement of Scoundrels by SV Lockwood up this week.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Getting reacclimated to climbing and hockey playoffs took up the majority of my free time last week, so I didn't make much progress into an series.

I did start the adaptation for Daisy Jones & the Six to see how it stacked up against the book. Early doors but the book felt much more confident in the quiet moments and leaving things left unsaid whereas the show is amping up the drama a touch in every scenario. That's more of an observation than a criticism as that's probably a better fit for the medium and I'm still invested enough to throw that in the rotation.

I'm pumped for the recently announced Assassins Creed: Black Flag Resynced, which will release on July 9th of this year so that may put a nail in my Valhalla playthrough.

Another reminder that I'll be at BookNet Fest in Orlando, May 15-16 as a panelist and hotel bar fly. Get your tickets and swing through!

It's been a busy few months and I haven't been on Bookclub like I'd like to be but I'm ready to lock in to Cleopatra. Head over to discord for updates, and I'm going to plan a night next month to discuss on live as well.

Here are some April 28th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!). Though I've asked the publishers for these, I haven't gotten my hands on any of them yet...let me know if you have!

Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg

Why it interests me: a collection of stories exploring bodies, queerness, size, and more? Okay.

Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull

Why it interests me: a coming of age story set in 1970s Brazil.

Dreamt I Found You by Jimin Han

Why it interests me: A retelling of a tragic love story set in the Korean immigrant community. I already have her The Apology on my physical TBR so I'm interested in this one too.

The Original by Priya Parmar

Why it interests me: a novel about Katharine Hepburn, exploring the cost of fame.

Break Room by Miye Lee

Why it interests me: translated from Korean, a gripping and incisive psychological game-show drama.

Molka by Monika Kim

Why it interests me: The Eyes are the Best Part was one of my favorite horror books last year, so when I heard she had a new one coming out, I immediately preordered it.