Welcome to New Release Tuesday, where I round up the sci-fi releases dropping this week that I think you should know about. I'm Zee, I'm a Tattooed Bibliophile, and if you are here I you probably are too, and my whole thing is diversity in sci-fi — meaning if it's queer, BIPOC-authored, indie, or just something the Big 5 didn't bother to tell you about, it belongs here. While sci-fi isn't the "it girl" right now, it's far from a dying genre. It may make it hard to find new releases, but that's what I'm here for, because I don't want you to miss a thing! So what's new?

First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston (Angry Robot) Space Fantasy with a disabled wheelchair-using skymage who wants to fly to the moon to stop a war -gasps a deep breath- described as Gideon the Ninth meets The Expanse? Well, I haven't read The Expanse but you know if someone tells me it's like Gideon the Ninth I'm either out to devour it or hate read it just to tell you they are wrong, because nobody writes like my corpuscular Queen Tamsyn. And Angry Robot is an indie press so you know I love to support them...Although what does a girl have to do to get on their ARC list? I've been trying, I promise, because I want to read as many sci-fi books as possible to tell you if they're good or if they are shit!!!

Last week I somehow missed the release of The Bloody and the Damned by Becca Coffindaffer (Macmillan) but it's a dystopian climate fantasy with an enby assassin who is trying to save their siblings and a thief as a love interest, AND they mention it's "perfect for fans of Iron Widow" so...I couldn't just not tell you! I love a villain story. And it's standalone, which is kind of an anomoly in the sci-fi and fantasy world. Or at least it used to be? I feel like? Someone argue with me with some stats, I am unconvinced of my own opinion on this.

The Weathering by Artem Chapeye (Penguin RH) is a a post-apocalyptic climate (I think?) dystopia about a couple who returns to Ukraine only to find that the world as they once knew it no longer exists, and they have to partner with other survivors to form a new society, where "erosion floats in on a breeze..." I mean who writes these book descriptions? Erosion cannot, by definition, float in on anything, and the book description is so vague that I'm not sure if that's meant as a metaphor? Like they take a vacation into the mountains and then come back to the city and it's different, but they didn't know? Idk. If the book is anything like the blurb, I don't think this one is for me. Maybe it's translation error?

Wife Shaped Bodies by Laura Cranehill (Simon & Schuster/Saga Press) Ok first I just want to say that I don't love when authors seem to have book naming trends, or cover design trends. It's art, be yourself, ya know? But whomever is in charge of this kind of cover? I'm low key obsessed. These are so pretty and haunting and would make gorgeous tattoos. Ok, on to the actual book. This is a sci-fi women's lit horror mashup. Or you could just say thriller, you do you. All the women in the village are covered in mushroom growths, told those are repulsive, and sheltered into their homes until they are married and moved from one prison to the next. Then she meets another rebellious girl and gae things happen. And can we all just say a collective "YAY!"

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon (Simon & Schuster) Tell me why my kitchen hood has wifi? And for what purpose does AI in a toaster have? In the (pretty near TBH) future where even the smallest of appliances are sentient, a young Roomba vacuum (after listeing to her human, Harold, read To Kill a Mockingbird to his dying wife) sets out to save the humans of her house from the omnipresent and always listening city AI Grid, who seeks to remove them from the home. Now, time for the tea! I went to scope out Glenn Dixon's IG, and he has AI generated images of him he posted for fun. Which is entirely counter to this satire he wrote about the danger of AI. We all contain multitudes, but it reeks of hypocrisy, and I was totally into the book before seeing that. Should I, or should I not, leave him a comment asking about it? Shall I or Shall I Not, start shit?

The Faith of Beasts by James S.A. Corey (Hachette/Orbit) — Book 2 of The Captive's War from the duo behind The Expanse. Thought I'd tell you about it...too many diverse reads to get to to have picked this one up. Worth it or no, let me know in the comments.

Listen, romantasy may be the current pick me girl in Big 5 publishing, because who doesn't need a little escapism in late stage capitalism? But sci-fi is a reflection of our hope for the future (or currently just a hope that there will be a future.) And HOPE IS RESISTANCE! So go forth and read some sci-fi and RESIST!

See you next week. You know, if we're not in a nuclear winter.

— Zee

If you liked this and want more of whatever THIS is (unhinged book analysis, barely contained rage at the state of the world, and occasional Tamsyn Muir references and em dashes that I will never apologize for) consider subscribing for $5/month. Every cent goes to people who actually need it, because I have a day job and a cause, not a brand deal. This is my middle finger to Big 5 publishing, dressed up as a book blog. Come hold it up with me.

Happy pub day!! This week’s new releases (and a few backlist reads I finally got to) were honestly such a mix: some easy binges, some emotional hits, and a couple that… yeah, we’re not talking about those on IG for a reason 👀

Let’s get into it.

🎧 Audios I Binged

🖤 Deathly Fates
Read or skip: Read (especially for YA fantasy lovers)
Rating: 4.5 stars

This one surprised me in the best way.

A corpse-driving priestess, a not-so-dead prince, and a journey fueled by grief, duty, and survival? I was locked in. The writing feels thoughtful and intentional, and the themes (grief, family responsibility, what it means to be human) actually land.

Let’s talk romance expectations: this is a slow, slow burn. Very age-appropriate YA. It’s cute, but honestly? The story didn’t need it. The plot and character growth are strong enough on their own.

Final thought: A beautifully layered YA fantasy that sticks with you emotionally more than romantically.

🌪️ West of Wicked
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Wizard of Oz… but darker, a little spicier, and way more chaotic.

I’m usually skeptical of retellings, but this worked for me. Adult Dorothy trying to figure her life out? Loved. Tin Man as a villain? Even better.

The full cast audio absolutely elevated this; it felt immersive and cinematic. And that ending?? RUDE. I need the sequel immediately.

Final thought: A fun, darker reimagining with strong audio narration and a cliffhanger that will have you scrambling for book two.

💘 Romance That Made Me Swoon

💍 Save the Date
Read or skip: READ
Rating: 5 stars

Three POVs. Three messy love stories. And somehow… I cared about every single one.

This is peak chaotic wedding weekend energy with emotional depth underneath. Secret love, fake dating, complicated family dynamics...it’s all here, and it works.

Final thought: Smart, funny, and genuinely heartfelt. A rare multi-POV win.

💊 Love and Other Side Effects
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Deidra Duncan just gets it.

This feels like a romcom-leaning episode of Grey’s Anatomy: chaotic hospital energy, emotional stakes, and banter that actually made me laugh out loud.

Friends-to-lovers done right, with workplace tension and a hurricane thrown in for good measure. Asher? Loved. Jocelyn… frustrated me at times, but not enough to take away from the overall story.

Final thought: Emotional, funny, and just messy enough to feel real.

📚 Books I Read and Loved

✨ The Most Important Part
Read or skip: READ. Immediately.
Rating: 5 stars

I genuinely don’t know how to talk about this book without sounding biased, but here we are.

This is one of those stories where the characters feel real. The dialogue, the emotions, the decisions: it all feels authentic in a way that pulls you in completely.

But the standout? Grief.

It’s handled with so much nuance and honesty, especially through a teenage lens, and it hit in a way that felt deeply personal. Watching Bea begin to heal… yeah. That stayed with me.

Final thought: A powerful, emotional read that does something really special.

📜 The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

Dual timelines, Tudor history, and a modern-day academic mystery? Say less.

This blends historical fiction with a slow-building mystery, and both timelines are equally compelling. Elizabeth’s story is intense and tragic, while Alison’s adds that creeping tension as things start to unravel.

Final thought: A well-crafted, atmospheric read that balances history and mystery beautifully.

😱 Horror That Freaked Me Out

🩸 Japanese Gothic
Read or skip: Read (if you can handle it)
Rating: 5 stars

Not for everyone. Absolutely for me.

This is horror rooted in family, trauma, and psychological unraveling, layered with Japanese mythology, samurai history, and dual timelines that slowly collide.

It feels like madness in the best way. A fever dream with purpose.

Final thought: Complex, brutal, and completely immersive. Another win.

🐾 Morsel
Read or skip: Read
Rating: 4 stars

A short, creepy Appalachian gothic that somehow balances campy and unsettling perfectly.

I don’t usually love novellas, but this hit that sweet spot. The grief, the symbolism, the setting...and the dog 😭

Final thought: A quick but impactful horror read that lingers longer than expected.

📚 Non-Fiction I Actually Read

⚔️ Those Who Are About to Die
Read or skip: Read (if you like history)
Rating: N/A (I don't rate non-fiction)

Structured as 24 hours in the life of a gladiator, which makes it feel immersive instead of textbook-y.

Super well-researched but still accessible, with just enough humor to keep it engaging.

Final thought: Informative without being dry; perfect if you love Roman history.

🚫 DNFs (Not on IG for a Reason)

😬 While You Were Seething
DNF at 61%

So many tropes I should have loved… but the execution just didn’t land. The pacing felt off, the emotional beats didn’t hit, and the MMC leaned more cruel than compelling.

Final thought: Fun concept, messy delivery.

🏁 Fast and Fastidious
DNF at 48%

This one had potential, but it felt like all setup and no payoff. Detached narration, minimal chemistry, and somehow… no romance in a romance??

Final thought: Interesting idea, but not for me.

✨ Overall Thoughts

This week really came down to balance.

Some books absolutely nailed emotional depth and character work
Some had incredible concepts but uneven execution
And a few reminded me that not every trope combo is a guaranteed win

But The Most Important Part and Japanese Gothic? Those are the ones I’m still thinking about.

If you’ve picked up any of these (or have one on your radar), tell me everything. What worked? What didn’t? I’m always curious 👀

I wanted to highlight some April 14 releases we're excited for!

• THE KILLING SPELL by Shay Kauwe

• JAPANESE GOTHIC by Kylie Lee Baker

• WIFE SHAPED BODIES by Lauren Cranehill

• THESE FAMILIAR WALLS by C. J. Dotson

• MORSEL by Carter Keane

Pick these up by clicking the links in this update or by searching through our Bookshop.org page yourself! You can also pick up the audiobooks on our Libro.fm storefront (use code CHOOSEINDIE for a new membership and get a free audiobook!).

Happy reading!

Happy Tuesday, mis internet amigxs!

This week's introduction is VERY short for a myriad of reasons, but I did want to take a moment to acknowledge Sawyer Cole for mastermindering Bien Leidos Readathon this past weekend! They organized the schedule, bingo cards, volunteers, and amazing prizes. It was such a delightful weekend of reading in community! In fact, we read over 45 books in community and I'm so honored by all the participants who chatted and read with us all weekend.

I'll start by saying I missed a Latine release last week!

Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois: First of all, you should support Left Unread Books here on Bindery, if you aren't already. I'm not always perfect, and this was a HUGE oversight, so I'm giving away a swag box I received for Readathon Bingo on Discord this weekend!

And now on to...

THIS WEEK'S RELEASES!

BRING MOON JOY TO YOUR LITTLES

If Your Abuelo Is An Astronauta by Ana Siquiera and illustrated by Irena Frietas

SPACE POETRY?!

These Spaceships Weren't Built for Us: Poems by Alan Chazaro

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Death to Pachuco by Henry Barajas and Art by Rachel Merrill & Lee Loughridge

Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Axl the Axolotl Is Not a Frog by John Paul Brammer and Illustrated by Vanessa Morales

Nature's Partners: How Plants, Animals and Insects Team Up by Eugenia Perrella and Illustrated by Lucilla Tubaro

The Froggy Library by Julie Fiveash

NONFICTION

The Violence: My Family's Colombian War Adriana E. Ramirez (audiobook)

SELF-HELP

Light Work Journal by Keila Shaheen (audiobook)

xoxo,

Carmen

Here are some April 14th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!). First, the one I had a chance to read already:

Midnight, at the War by Devi S. Laskar 5/5 stars

Put this on your TBR if you want to explore the humanity in war-torn areas alongside personal messiness. An incredibly timely book (Explosions being more newsworthy than the lives of brown people? Tracks).

And the six I'm still waiting to get my hands on (but at least I have the first 2 preordered!):

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Why it interests me: Japanese and gothic are two of my favorite descriptions of a book. But still, I was more excited that this Kylie Lee Baker's adult followup to Bat Eater.

The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe

Why it interests me: Hawaiian fantasy.

Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein

Why it interests me: this seems like a fascinating jumping off point for discussion around misogyny and inappropriate relationships.

Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola

Why it interests me: messy 2nd generation Nigerian immigrant sisters.

Cleo Dang Would Rather be Dead by Mai Nguyen

Why it interests me: explores grief.

The Take by Kelly Yang

Why it interests me: speculative fiction exploring aging and power.

🔥🐉The Bloodsinger Book Club Kit Is HERE!

If you’ve been waiting to fully dive into a dark, dragon-filled romantasy experience this is your sign 👀

The official book club kit for Bloodsinger is now LIVE and trust me you do NOT want to miss this one.

Inspired by the brutal, magical world of Bloodsinger, this kit is designed to turn your next book club meeting into an unforgettable, fully immersive experience. Think dragons circling the skies, Roman political drama, morally gray characters, and just the right amount of chaos to keep everyone debating all night long 🔥

✨ Inside the Bloodsinger Book Club Kit, you’ll get:

• 🩸 A deep-dive discussion guide to spark all the debates

• 🍷 A themed menu with recipes to bring the world to life

• 🐉 Interactive activities like the Dragon Loyalty Test

• 👑 Roman Senate roleplay scenarios yes, it’s as fun as it sounds

• ❓ A Trust Trajan? voting board to track your group’s opinions

• 🎁 Themed extras to level up your entire book club night

Whether you’re here for the vengeance, the romance, or the dragons this kit has everything you need to make your discussion feel like you’ve stepped right into the world of the book.

👉 Tap the link to join The First Editions and get instant access to the full Bloodsinger book club kit! https://tinyurl.com/mr2wz2de 

Trust me your book club is about to get a serious upgrade 🐲✨

🔥Dragons Ruling Rome? Say Less I Was Already Obsessed!🔥

If your ideal read includes fierce heroines, dangerous magic, and morally gray love interests you definitely shouldn’t trust but absolutely do anyway, then let me introduce you to our latest book club obsession: Bloodsinger. And let me tell you this one had us spiraling in the best way.

🐉The Vibes

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Lela’s story starts off brutal, her village destroyed, her life ripped apart and it immediately sets the tone for this dark, high-stakes romantasy. Reading this as a group made it even better because we were all collectively like: “okay we’re not emotionally prepared for this 😅”

⚔️What I Loved

Lela is the kind of FMC I live for, fierce, resilient, and fueled by vengeance. Her bloodsinger magic? SO unique and honestly a little terrifying in the coolest way. Watching her grow into her power while navigating trauma, survival, and trust had me completely invested.

And then there’s Trajan 👀 A Roman dragon shifter with secrets?? Say no more. The tension between him and Lela was EVERYTHING. It’s that slow-burn, enemies-to-allies-to-maybe more energy that had our book club constantly debating his motives and yes opinions were STRONG!

🐲 Book Club Thoughts

This world? Dark, dangerous, and insanely immersive. Dragons circling the skies over Rome, political tension in the senate, and magic that comes at a cost it gave us so much to talk about. Trust issues, moral gray areas, and that constant question of who’s really on your side made this such a fun and chaotic discussion pick.

✨ Overall: This was a gripping, emotional, and action-packed read that perfectly blends fantasy, romance, and revenge. If you love intense heroines, dragon-filled worlds, and morally complex love interests add this to your TBR ASAP.

🩸Want the Full Book Club Experience?

If you loved this review and want to take your book club to the next level, you NEED to join The First Editions 📚✨

Inside, you’ll get access to the full Bloodsinger book club kit, including:

• In-depth discussion guides

• A themed menu with recipes 🍷

• Interactive activities hello Dragon Loyalty Test 👀

• Roleplay scenarios + printable materials

• Exclusive extras to make your meeting unforgettable

👉 Join The First Editions and transform your book club into an immersive reading experience!

💬 Bookish Question: Do you trust the morally gray love interest right away or are you side-eyeing them until the very last page?

SICKOS! Let me know what you're reading this week in the comments, here's what I got done last week and what my plans are for this week. Also, if you entered the giveaway for Between Two Fires, keep an eye on your email inbox as I'll be reaching out to the winner today.

READING

REVIEW

THE RED WINTER by CAMERON SULLIVAN (historical fantasy)

Progress: Finished

I finished the Fiction Sickos Book Club April pick, huzzah! Overall this was worth the price of admission and a very impressive debut. I agree with the other Sickos that the end did feel rushed, and I had some minor issues with the pacing and lack of depth for certain elements, but I'd still put it in the 3.75 star range with a "yes" recommendation that escalates to "very much yes" for fans of Christopher Buehlman and the like.

TOKYO UENO STATION by YU MIRI (contemporary literature, fiction)

Progress: Finished

A flat 3-star rating for me is typically something that I finished that I somewhat enjoyed and will probably never think of again. I also rate short novels/novellas on a slightly tougher scale unless they blow me away, then I'll give credit where credit is due for accomplishing so much in so little words.

Anyway, this story about a ghost who is looking back on his invisible life did some things well, some others not so well, and lands at a 3.00 for me. I don't regret throwing it in the mix, and the promise of "devastation" may hit you better than it did me, but I wouldn't recommend it with my whole ass.

GAMES WITHOUT RULES: THE OFTEN INTERRUPTED HISTORY OF AFGHANISTAN by TAMIM ANSARY (narrative historical nonfiction)

Progress: 219/350

The last chapter covers Gorbachev's attempt to copy Nixon's Vietnam exit strategy of "peace with honor", resulting in the bloodiest year of The Soviet-Afghan War with zero benefit to anybody, expect the Mujahideen who were receiving a billion dollars a year from the United States.

Ansary either confuses the timeline re: the development of the Stinger or is alluding to the improved FIM-92B but I this a typical drawback of sweeping, popular history books. Either way, Stingers that cost ~$40,000 for the United States to make were regularly knocking out ~$10M helicopter gunships with crazy efficiency in the hands of the Afghans. And then yada yada yada the Soviet Union pulls out and collapses.

Trying to finish this by tomorrow and, noted issues aside, it's still super solid.

The rest...

I'm not far enough in to comment on either but I did start two others, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee. I was looking for shorter books to keep me going while I mostly stayed glued on reading manuscripts (more on that below).

PREVIEW

Once I finish my nonfiction read I believe I'm going to pick up Puerto Rico: A National History by Jorell A. Meléndez-Badillo, but that could change a dozen times between now and then. I think I'm set on fiction but if I finish what I'm working on by the weekend I'm thinking of picking up We Do Not Part by Han Kang. Kang's The Vegetarian and Human Acts are both remarkable, and while Greek Lessons didn't hit for me, I trust Kang to deliver.

PUBLISHING IMPRINT NEWS

I have to coordinate with the Bindery team but I do believe I've found a manuscript that I would love to acquire. Can't really say anything yet but I'm stoked as hell and will update you with more when I can. In the meantime I'll still be poking around pitches and other manuscripts, just not as aggressively as I have been for the past month.

WATCHING

REVIEW

I made zero progress on Frieren and Peaky Blinders because I've been all about...

GAME OF THRONES - HBO

Progress: S4E4

It's still peak as pigeon pie. And again we've got a forum set up for the books and show in the Discord if you want to join us in the analysis and memes.

EUPHORIA - HBO

Progress: S2E4

Been slow rolling the hell out of this one, but now that S3 is here I might speed-run the rest of S2. IIRC we're getting close to "wait, is this fucking play about us?!"

GAMING
Did zero gaming last week, but Assassin's Creed: Valhalla will be the one if I do game this week.

OTHER RANDOM STUFF
The hand tattoo has entered the ugly-as-hell-fat-scab phase so still no climbing gym trips, probably not until at least Wednesday. I'm gnawing at the bars of my enclosure.

Hey y’all,

Reminder that we’re having a reading sprint on Discord tonight. It’s the perfect time to read our April pick: Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang. But you can also read anything you’re in the mood for tonight.

I already finished our April pick so I’m going to be crocheting and reading Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor. Can’t wait to read with y’all!

XoXo,

Rae

Happy Sunday, mis internet amigxs!

We're in the midst of Bien Leidos Readathon, so I will make this introduction VERY short today! I'm a bit tired, but it's been so fun to participate and get to know even more of you on Discord this weekend so far.

I'll start by saying I missed a Latine release last week!

Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois: First of all, you should support Left Unread Books here on Bindery, if you aren't already. I'm not always perfect, and this was a HUGE oversight, so I'm giving away a swag box I received for Readathon Bingo on Discord this weekend!

And now on to...

THIS WEEK'S RELEASES!

BRING MOON JOY TO YOUR LITTLES

If Your Abuelo Is An Astronauta by Ana Siquiera and illustrated by Irena Frietas: Bilingual picture book captures the love between grandchildren and long-distance grandparents, the complicated relationship between siblings, and the power of imagination

SPACE POETRY?!

These Spaceships Weren't Built for Us: Poems by Alan Chazaro: speculative poetry exploring latinx identity, memory and diaspora.

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Death to Pachuco by Henry Barajas and Art by Rachel Merrill & Lee Loughridge

Forgive-Me-Not by Mari Costa: A queer "enemies to lovers" journey of a lost princess and a changeling who was made to take the heir's place as part of a fey scheme.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Axl the Axolotl Is Not a Frog by John Paul Brammer and Illustrated by Vanessa Morales: author of Hola, Papi is here with his debut picture book!

Nature's Partners: How Plants, Animals and Insects Team Up by Eugenia Perrella and Illustrated by Lucilla Tubaro

The Froggy Library by Julie Fiveash

NONFICTION

The Violence: My Family's Colombian War Adriana E. Ramirez (audiobook): powerful chronicle of Colombia’s descent into decades of civil war through the lens of an intimate, multi-generational tale of upheaval and betrayal.

SELF-HELP

Light Work Journal by Keila Shaheen (audiobook) Empowering, guided journey to discover and charge up your most precious inner resources, your energy

xoxo,

Carmen

It’s time to wrap up Why I’m Afraid Of Bees and kick off Monster Blood II.

Why I’m Afraid of Bees was definitely a buzz worthy addition to Goosebumps. Bees are terrifying ! 🐝

Wrap Up

1. Did you enjoy this one?

2. If you could become any insect what would you become?

Kick off

Next up is Monster Blood II, the sequel to Monster Blood—which featured a blob that wouldn’t stop growing!

Synopsis:It's Baaack . . . .
Evan Ross can't stop thinking about Monster Blood and what happened last summer. It was so horrible. So terrifying. Too bad Evan's science teacher doesn't believe him. Now he's stuck cleaning out the hamster's cage as punishment for making up stories.
Then Evan's friend Andy comes to town, and things go from bad to worse. Because Andy's got a present for Evan. It's green and slimy and it's starting to grow . . . .

Okay so this week was very much a “I almost loved you” reading week.

Like… multiple books that were this close to being five stars and then just didn’t quite stick it.

Let’s start with The Ending Writes Itself because I cannot stop thinking about it and not in a clean, satisfying way. The premise? Elite. Six authors, private island, finish a dead author’s manuscript in 72 hours. I was immediately in. It gave me You Are Fatally Invited vibes (which was a five star for me), and I loved how it handled writers. The egos, the insecurity, the way they all viewed success differently… so well done.

But the ending?? Why did we rush it like that. This is literally a book about endings and that’s what we did?? I just… I wanted more time. More weight. It could’ve been so good.

Morsel though??

This one wasted zero time.

Four hour audiobook. Rural Ohio. Something in the woods. Immediately no. Immediately stress. It’s giving Blair Witch Project meets The Ritual and it does not ease you in at all. It’s graphic, it’s gory, and it just keeps escalating.

What I liked is that it actually had something to say too, like the whole generational poverty / capitalism angle was very much there without feeling forced. But yeah… this one is not for the squeamish.

The Concrete Alibi was exactly what I expected, in a good way.

Very procedural, very straightforward legal thriller. If you’re going in expecting humor or personality like Eddie Flynn, it’s not that. But if you want a case you can follow and short chapters that make you keep saying “one more,” this works. I listened on audio and it flew.

Tusks, Tails, and Teacakes was my emotional support read this week.

I read it in one sitting and I swear I spent the entire time craving baked goods. It’s cozy fantasy in the truest sense: low stakes, light magic, found family, shy awkward romance (just kissing!!)

Nothing stressful happens. No one is saving the world. People are just… baking, rebuilding a tavern, and caring about each other. And honestly? That’s exactly what I needed. Also it’s on Kindle Unlimited which feels dangerous for me personally.

Smoke and Scar…I fear I’m locked into this series now.

Shadow mommy. Cinnamon roll knight. Deadly trials. Found family. Like it just works. The magic is easy to follow, the stakes feel real, and I actually care about these characters. Also the reverse age gap?? I was smiling.

West of Wicked is one of those books where I was like “oh this is doing something interesting.”

Dorothy with no memory, Tin Man as an assassin, witches fighting for power… I loved the direction of this. The world felt darker, a little twisted, and I was into it.

My only warning: the spice goes from zero to one thousand with zero transition. Like we just… arrive there. So just know that going in.

And then Love & Other Side Effects, I had high expectations because I loved Love Sick and this one delivered.

Asher as a main character?? Perfect choice. He’s funny but clearly using humor as a shield, and watching that slowly crack was so good. Jocelyn is emotionally closed off in a way that made the tension even better.

You get best friends to more, he falls first, workplace chaos, and such good banter. Like the banter is what makes this series for me. It feels natural, not forced, and I was actually laughing.

So yeah… a very “almost five stars, but I’m still thinking about you” kind of week.

And honestly? Those are sometimes the most interesting ones.