Source: Publisher (Netgalley)

Married with Benefits by Ellie Palmer | Book Review

Posted July 2, 2026 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 2 Comments

Married with Benefits by Ellie Palmer
Published by GP Putnam's Sons on July 21, 2026
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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A trope-filled delight of a rom com about two strangers who enter into a marriage of convenience that becomes anything but convenient.

Lainey Davis can't wait for the day she'll be able to escape her tiny Wisconsin town. But she's not even close to covering her health insurance premiums and pricey migraine medication, let alone saving up enough to start over some place new. That is, until Lainey receives some news that might upend her unlucky streak. Through the archaic legal doctrine of adverse possession, Lainey has inadvertently squatted her way into owning one of the most notorious houses in modern architectural history.

But Lainey owns only the house. The surrounding property, a lakeside money pit the previous owner used as a front to deal illegal reptiles, has been willed to newcomer Elliot Hodges, a D.C. architect who wants to rent the place to fellow architecture lovers. Neither can rent or sell without reaching an agreement.

Desperate to rent out the only valuable house on the property, Elliot proposes an unconventional marry him for health insurance and in exchange, she’ll allow him to rent the house as part of his resort until he’s saved enough to buy her out. It's a win-win Lainey will finally have a way out of her small town, and he’ll own the house designed by his architectural idol. But when the end date looms and their connection grows, Lainey’s no longer sure what’s more leaving Elliot behind or letting him in.

I really enjoy Ellie Palmer’s romances because there’s always something about her stories that feel unique and unexpected. She puts a lot of focus on the framework of the story. She adds so many little details that, when added together, provide so much depth and interest. Her characters have very rich lives (with backstories), and we learn so much about them that they feel like friends. The settings are rich and detailed enough that it feels like you’re there. The supporting characters are interesting and not just placeholders or plot devices to move the story forward. Her books contain an entire world, not just the here and now with the focus being on the romance and not much else. That’s not to say that the focus isn’t on the romance, because it is, but so many different pieces of the story share the limelight at the same time that I always come away knowing I’m not going to forget her books.

Married with Benefits has the cutest main couple. First, we’ve got Lainey Davis. She is such a cool and interesting character. She talented and can do anything she sets her mind to. She’s incredibly smart, in both the book smart and the street smart ways. She’s a little chaotic and bananas in that way that so many artistic people are, myself included. She is independent, can hold her own, and will not be pushed around, especially by a nerdy Clark Kent who thinks he owns the land her house is on. There’s no dimming her sparkle! And then there’s Elliot, our nerdy, unassuming, prim and proper golden retriever who wears sweaters and glasses and has no idea what do with this free spirit except marry her. I’ve never seen a man so caught of guard by a woman’s personality before, and it was so endearing and amusing. He truly is out of his depth and falls first (ahem, no he pines and yearns in the most delicious way), much to his chagrin. Their chemistry is electric from the moment they meet. She is having none of his nonsense and he’s absolutely dumbfounded. I’m not even sure he knows how they ended up married, but he’s not mad about it! She challenges him on all levels, and he stands taller for it. I loved watching them slowly burn from adversaries to friends to lovers. We get to see them cohabitate and work through issues together, developing a bond that felt very special. They go deep about their pasts and their dreams. I loved how the topic of chronic illness is treated, and seeing what it looks like to support someone through that. As someone with chronic pain conditions, this relationship really warmed my heart and gave me hope. I just love these two.

I also loved the supporting characters. Life in a small town means everyone knows everyone. There’s friendly (and not so friendly) rivalries between businesses, nosy neighbors, loose pharmacy regulations regarding timely payment on prescriptions (LOL), and everyone in everyone’s business (if you have too many cars parking in one place, you WILL be fined). It felt cozy and sweet. I loved the architecture elements and the interesting house. That whole storyline reminded me of Frank Lloyd Wright.

All in all, Married with Benefits was wonderful. I had so much fun reading it and am excited for Ellie’s next book!

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison | Book Review

Posted May 28, 2026 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 3 Comments

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison
Series: Heartstrings #2
Also in this series: First-Time Caller
Published by Berkley on February 24, 2026
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 464
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.

Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover a historic snowstorm, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.

Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal: If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With unexplored chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship.

But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains stay in the mountains?

I have been so excited to read And Now, Back to You! B.K. Borison is one of my favorite authors and I have loved everything she’s ever written. I really enjoyed First-Time Caller, but I loved this second installment in the Heartstrings series even more! There’s just something about a B.K. Borison book. They are always cozy, romantic, and oh so sweet.

If you know me at all, you know I love weather. I am a huge, huge weather fangirl. I love all kinds of storms, and am positively energized when I hear a clap of thunder. If I hear a truck rumble down the street, my heart skips a beat until I realize it’s a truck. lol. I have so many weather apps on my phone, I love listening to storm sounds, and I follow the local meteorologist to make sure I’m aware of all things weather. So I had a feeling I was going to love a romance between rival meteorologists who are forced to team up to cover the snowstorm of the century. From a cozy, isolated lodge. While developing feelings for each other. I mean, come ON. And I loved it! I loved every minute I spent reading about Delilah and Jackson and I loved seeing Aiden and Lucie again, too.

Delilah is the happy, bubbly local TV weather girl who will dress up like a turtle to make her time on the air more fun for both herself and the viewers. Everyone knows and loves her. While she might seem sunshiney on the outside, she’s struggling. Her only family is her grandpa, who is slowly losing his memory to Dementia. He’s completely lucid and filled with joy, though, when Delilah is on the screen and he loves watching her daily weather report. Her boss, Keith, is one of the worst characters I’ve read about in contemporary fiction. He is a misogynistic, mean bully and he threatens her job on a daily basis. I wanted her to leave the station so badly, but also understood why she stayed: grandpa. So she shows up to work everyday with a bright smile on her face and tries so hard to make Keith happy, which is impossible. She’s such a kindhearted person who deserves the world. And Jackson? This surly, serious, standoffish, sweetie grumpy gills (Finding Nemo, anyone?) is capable of giving it to her. He’s also got a complicated family situation. He’s raising his twin teenage sisters Adeline and Penelope after winning custody from his horrendous mom, who still tries to control and manipulate all three of them as she flits in and out of their lives. Jackson is the quintessential cinnamon roll. He’s hard on the outside, but warm and gooey on the inside. His relationship with his little sisters is so sweet, I could cry. And he becomes so adorably vulnerable with Delilah, confiding in her about all his insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. She’s accepting of everything about him, and opens up about her secrets as well. They’re both carrying such heavy burdens and yet they still have room in their hearts for more love. It’s honestly inspiring. They fill each other up and help each other through difficult things throughout the book. They’re each other’s shoulder to cry on, champion, coach, therapist, rock, and they stand up for each other because that’s easier than standing up for themselves. These two have my heart. And their love story is just as beautiful and sweet as their friendship. As the snow falls and the world becomes quiet, their hushed whispers of wholesome wishes drive home a very important message: it’s ok to not be ok, and there are people out there who won’t hurt you. You just have to look for them.

All in all, And Now, Back to You is wonderful. It’s got rivals to friends to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, found family, and grumpy sunshine! A trope lover’s dream! It’s got a cozy lodge, nighttime sledding, kissing as a form of therapy, so many weather puns, bickering over radar reports, flirty banter on the air, so much love of all different kinds, and villains getting what they deserve. I highly recommend it, and if you can read it under a blanket during a blizzard I highly encourage you to do so! I can’t wait for the next book!

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison | Book Review

Posted December 3, 2025 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
Series: Ghosted #1
Published by Avon on October 7, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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The USA Today bestselling author of Business Casual, B.K. Borison is back with a whimsical new holiday romance—this time with a magical twist—that will have everyone falling in love with the Ghost of Christmas Past.

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

Filled with magic, mayhem, and cozy holiday charm, this swoony romance is B.K. Borison’s best yet!

You know how sometimes you will go outside your normal comfort zone for an author you love? That’s what happened to me with B.K. Borison’s Good Spirits. I adored her Lovelight series and I’m really enjoying her Heartstrings series so far! I’ve read all 6 of her currently released books, and all but two of them got 5 stars from me (and those two got 4 stars) so I think it’s safe to say I’m a fangirl. I’ll admit, though, paranormal romance isn’t my thing. A Christmas Carol is not my thing. Ghosts? Nope. And especially not in my Christmas books. A book about a woman falling in love with the Ghost of Christmas Past is the last thing I ever thought I’d read, but I dove right in last spring when I had room in my schedule because I love B.K. Borison! And, my friend, I am so glad I did. This was magical and delightful, and I felt all the Christmas magic even though it was April.

Harriet is super sweet. She’s not the kind of person who needs to reevaluate her life with the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s kind and caring and has filled her life with colors and the things she loves. She’s a little quirky and owns many pairs of Christmas pajamas. When Nolan materializes and emerges from behind her Christmas tree, he does so with a pretty jaded attitude. Harriet is just another crappy person who Nolan has to fix before moving on. And she’s just as confused! She knows she’s not perfect, but she can’t figure out what she’s done that’s bad enough to warrant a Christmas Carol story of her own. But as they dive into her memories, Nolan realizes how wonderful she is. This is the ultimate forbidden romance. Nolan and Harriet have a deadline that must be met before he and her memories of him disappear forever. They quickly begin to fall for one other, even though this expirations date weighs heavily on their hearts. Their shared moments and discussions are deep, tender, heartwarming, and even sad at times but it never feels too heavy. Overall, this is a light and funny read. I loved watching these two characters change each other’s lives. Nolan, once jaded and grumpy feels alive again and Harriet learns how worthy she is of the life she wishes for. They make each other light up like the brightest Christmas tree, and I loved their story. The more and more we learn about them, the more everything begins to fall into place. There’s plenty of Christmas magic, lots of steam, and even a mischievous cat! There’s also a happily ever after that will make you swoon.

B.K. Borison’s writing is as lovely as ever. Her descriptions are so wonderful, and the characters she dreams up are always the absolute best. If you’re looking for some Christmas magic, I highly recommend Good Spirits. I am so, so excited for the next book in this series. B.K. Borison gives a little hint about it in the author’s note and let’s just say… sign me up!

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows | Book Review

Posted September 4, 2025 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 1 Comment

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
Series: Oaks Sisters #1
Published by Avon on January 21, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 378
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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A swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum—a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist—realize they are the perfect match. Equal parts nerdy banter and fiery tension, it’s perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Tessa Bailey.

Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals. Especially her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and nerdy astronomy ties.

. . . Not that she’s spent much time noticing any of those things.

Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need anything more on his plate. Millie literally stumbling into him with her bright smile and sunny optimism, is the last thing he needs.

They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart.

Give Me Butterflies is so, so sweet. I don’t typically like workplace romances (actually, I avoid them), but apparently I do if they’re nerdy. I adore nerdy characters so much. You’ve got an entomologist and an astronomer, both curators at a science museum! They’ve crossed paths, but try hard not to until interacting is forced upon them (in the form of a literal collision). As they begin to interact more and more, their chemistry starts to sizzle and I was here for all of it. There’s found family, super cute little girls, a grumpy hero, a sunshine heroine, he falls first swoons, healing from various forms of trauma and loss, and lots and lots of stars and butterflies.

I really loved Millie’s cute and quirky personality. She’s a bit awkward and lacking in confidence–which she’s working on (aren’t we all?). She’s been unlucky in love in the past and has guarded her heart well. I identified with her so much. But Finn stole the entire show for me. This man is a dream. He’s grappling with his sister’s death while raising his two young nieces, so that grumpy facade is actually hiding quite a loving and loyal cinnamon roll. He’s in touch with his emotions and has a very tender heart. Mille quickly discovers he’s not all he appears to be and begins to peel back his layers, making room for herself in his little family. This found family is honestly one of the sweetest I’ve read about ever. The girls glom on to Millie, and the three of them have a very healing effect on each other. The love between all four of them grows so quickly because they all steal (and then fiercely protect) one another’s hearts. I loved the light that Mille brought to a dark time for Finn and his nieces, and I loved that they reflected that light right back at her, helping her move on from the pain of a previous relationship that stole her sparkle and finally stand up for herself. I loved all the “slice of life” scenes, the text messages between Millie and her family, and the humor. The story was light, yet deeply meaningful and romantic.

All in all, this was a total win for me and I am so excited for the next book in the series, which comes out in March 2026. Jillian Meadows is an author to watch for sure!

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary | Book Review

Posted June 26, 2025 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 1 Comment

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary
Published by Berkley on April 1, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?

Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend's daughter.

Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.

With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.

Ok look. This cover, combined with the fact that it’s a survival at sea romance had me salivating. This kind of story is my kryptonite, but goodness me this was soooooo messy. By the end of this review, you will be wondering why I didn’t DNF and my answer is simply that I couldn’t bring myself to look away because I had to know how it all worked out.

The entire book felt like a fever dream. You’ve got a one-night stand between Lexi and Zeke that occurs on a houseboat that drifts out to sea because communication? Who needs it? So they’re just bobbing out there in the North Sea on a boat that’s barely floating and can’t run that they both think is theirs. I was beginning to struggle at this point because I had a hard time believing this could realistically happen, but I hung in there. And then all the things start happening. If something could go wrong, it went wrong. And if something could conveniently happen to move the story along, it did. You’ve got an accidental gaping, festering wound and a concussion between these two people. This boat is covered in sweat and vomit due to the concussion… or maybe food poisoning… sea sickness? All of the above? Probably. They’re living off spoiled food that somehow Zeke is able to whip up into a hot meal even though there’s no running water or electricity on this boat and they’re rationing crackers with old sweaty cheese and cookies the rest of the time. They’re plugging holes with cotton t-shirts and tape and catching rain water in a tarp and bowls that sometimes slide right off the deck into the sea. There’s an outlandish oil rig situation and an injured seagull who they rescue from the water and feed their very meager rations to. Because if the seagull doesn’t survive this, we don’t want to either! And honestly, that would probably be me too so I can’t fault them for that, I guess!

There’s a lot of info dumping and repetition about their individual past struggles (some of which are disturbing… like Zeke’s first love who was well into adulthood while he was only 16 years old… ick). Both of them also have very intense family/found family situations and spend their time discussing them ad nauseam (either out loud or in their heads) when they’re not in the process of potentially succumbing to their individual injuries. And honestly, the dialogue had me cringing at times. Lexi is older than Zeke and will never let anyone forget it. She’s only 31, but you’d think this woman was 75 for how old she keeps telling Zeke she is. I got so tired of her making some self-deprecating comment about her age or her aged body (again, she is THIRTY ONE), just so he would come back and reassure her that age is just a number and she’s beautiful no matter what. He’s known her for less than two weeks and can’t stop thinking about what a beautiful puker she is. Meanwhile, his gaping wound is seeping pus from infection and they really just wish they were making out right now. I’m absolutely sure that no real humans would be lusting after and craving sex from one other under these dire circumstances. I struggled to believe the romance so much because they clearly only bonded over a shared traumatic experience. The chemistry between the two of them was lacking, and I had a hard time picturing them ever falling in love in the real world. They just don’t match, and my mind was never changed on that. These people needed medical attention and therapy, not romance. And then there’s a twist that made me throw the book across the room. Seriously?? What in the Days of Our Lives drama is this? Everyone in this book needs to take a very big step back and do some reassessing.

All in all, I was super intrigued when I read the synopsis. What a unique and interesting sounding story! But there was too much going on here. I enjoyed the parts of the story where survival instincts and ingenuity took over for a little while. It was interesting reading about what they did to try make life easier for themselves and find help, and if this had been just a survival story I think I would have liked it a lot more (especially if it were more believable). But there was a lot of drama layered on top of that surrounding them and their families as well as their individual pasts. I wish the romance aspect hadn’t been there at all and that this was a story about two strangers (or even friends) trying to make it out alive. The romance, family drama, and the comedy of errors throughout their journey to survival was too much for me and I had a hard time suspending the amount of disbelief necessary to fully immerse myself in this story.