Earlier this month, I battled a rather annoying lurgy that sapped my energy and stuffed my head with so much congestion I could barely sleep for several nights in a row. Not the most delightful way to kick off the post–Term 1 school holidays.
My grand plans to tackle Mount Washmore and get some solid writing finished were quickly dashed, but the silver lining? I got a fair bit of reading done while lying in bed!
Between ARCs (advanced reader copies) and the two free months of Kindle Unlimited I snagged at the end of March (WOOT!), I escaped into a wonderfully eclectic mix of contemporary and historical Christian romance, whimsical romcoms, and even a paranormal shifter romance. (I know, right?!)
One day I’ll get to that teetering pile of unread paperbacks. One day… probably.
For now, here are several stories I devoured during my downtime—each with something memorable to offer.
Signed, Sealed and Smitten by Melanie Jacobson is a laugh-out-loud, utterly charming romantic comedy which hooked me faster than a toddler on sugar. Phoebe and Jay were layered and lovable, and their banter was hilarious. The quirky town of Serendipity Springs, complete with its mystery-filled apartment block and delightfully odd residents, added an extra dose of charm. With its history, heart and humour, this story delivered on all fronts. Bonus points: even though this book is part of a multi-author series, you can jump in without having read the others.
The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter is a heart-tugging second-chance Christian romance between widow Maggie and her brother-in-law Josh—who’s loved her since they were barely teens. Their relationship is layered with grief, guilt, and the ache of unspoken feelings, and the tension between hope and heartbreak was palpable. Josh’s steady, selfless nature completely won me over, while Maggie’s emotional journey felt authentic and relatable. Their moments with family and friends (especially with Zoey!) added warmth and humour to the tale.
The Love Variable by Lisa Renee is a sweet small-town romance with science-y flair. Edward and Sophie’s story brought smiles, awkward laughs, and touching moments, especially the ones shared with Sophie’s son, Angus. I appreciated the realistic portrayal of parenting a child on the Spectrum and enjoyed how Angus’s bond with Edward warmed Sophie’s cautious heart. Paired with nerdy dialogue and matchmaking attempts, this book left me smiling and wanting more (here’s looking at you, Dr Carter!).
Finally His Bride by Jody Hedlund is an adventurous, romantic Christian historical. Willow and Caleb’s love story takes readers from the grime of 1860s Manchester, England across the world to the untamed promise of Vancouver Island. Their growing friendship was sweet to watch, and despite many tension-filled and treacherous moments, I enjoyed the glimpses of scenery, camaraderie, and cultural contrast. A lovely beginning to the Bride Ships series.
Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice by Mary Mecham is an enemies-to-lovers romance with shifters, sass, and slow-burn heat. Azora and Tarquin’s arranged marriage kicked off with snarky banter and distrust, but grew into something layered, meaningful, and full of romantic tension. It’s clean (no swearing or bedroom scenes!) but still packs in the chemistry. The world-building was intriguing without being overwhelming, and I especially loved Azora’s transformation throughout the story. Also… my first shifter romance! Definitely not my last.
Have you read any of these novels? I’d love to hear below about the books you’ve recently enjoyed!
Until next time,
