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Women Who Dare Historical Romance Book Series by Beverly Jenkins

Jul 8, 2026 | Book Reviews

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins (2019)

Schoolteacher meets army captain in this book set in New Orleans. Although our teacher is betrothed to someone else when we meet her, she quickly falls for the dashing hero who saves her from a physical attack and helps her to rebuild her schoolrooms. The happy couples we meet from the hero’s family have previously been introduced in their own stories: Through the Storm (1998), Winds of the Storm (2004), and Captured (2009).

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins (2021)

A snowstorm rescue, instant attraction, and sickbed care in this one. Our heroine is a rancher in Wyoming and her brother is the town doctor. A newspaperman from back East is there to interview the doctor and gets caught in the snow, needing rescue. In this story, we have a non-virgin historical heroine who clearly communicates that she does not want children. All sorts of steam in this one, which is true to character. This story was not connected to the previous book. The heroine’s brother and sister-in-law’s story is told in Tempest (2018).

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins (2022)

This book covers a lot of geographical ground, but at some point we are back in New Orleans with a grifter family that is being coerced into assisting with the recovery of a stolen copy of the Declaration of Independence. Our straightlaced hero is teamed up with the swindler heroine, and they need to fake being married and servants of the house they’re investigating. Though they’re total opposites in many ways, we get to see them start a steamy affair. Meanwhile, his father and her mother are rekindling their own romance that ended decades ago. We cross paths a bit with the matriarch from Rebel who assists in a double-cross scheme.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance print book provided by Avon Books.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Weekly Reads: June 29 to July 5, 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance)

Jul 7, 2026 | Book Reviews

Reasons to Be Loved by You by Hannah Brown (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Loved this one. Nikki is slightly adrift in her LA influencer lifestyle, still sort of recovering after her humiliating experience on a reality TV dating show when she finds out that her fiance had a secret girlfriend back home the whole time. She’s at home in Georgia with her family for her birthday and the 4th of July, when even more drama unfolds. Her younger brother has brought his new girlfriend, who was in fact the secret girlfriend of her own ex-fiance. Messy. Oh, and she comes with her dad and brother Nate, who is super cute and definitely has sparks with Nikki. Oh, and then the brother gets engaged and they’re planning and throwing an impromptu wedding. Nikki and Nate are the only ones questioning the speed of the thing, so they team up for some honest conversations and maybe some minor sabotage. It’s mostly Nikki dealing with her feelings, her family, and how to approach her future and whether that LA life is where she wants to be.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

My Secret Duke by Sara Bennett (2025)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Romancing the Dukes series. Olivia and Ivo get caught playing billiards alone together, it causes a scandal, he proposes, but she turns him down. And then they keep running into each other for the next few months, even when Olivia is trying to move on and find a more reliable suitor. The main point here is that Olivia needs to learn to let go of her rigidity and have some fun with Ivo, while Ivo needs to cut out his reckless wagers and learn to be a serious duke for a bit. But there’s all sorts of meddling family drama in the way, and maybe a smuggling situation running up against the law. Honestly, this book dragged on a bit.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Samantha Spük: Paranormal Wedding Planner by Aleese Lin (2026)

Paranormal romance. Standalone novel. The premise of this was a lot of fun, but I think the book slowed down for me somewhere around the middle. The romance is a distant secondary plot to the one where Sabby is embracing her not-so-beige life. So Sabby is taking care of business after her grandmother’s death, but is somehow cursed to be stuck in Salem, and now she’s accidentally a wedding planner for paranormal beings. It’s total chaos with a talking head sidekick and a pixie wedding assistant. And most of the weddings have things that go wrong. The side plot is that she’s sort of dating Hanry, but it’s totally not serious because as soon as she can, Sabby is back to her boring accountant life in New York. Fun and kooky read.

Advance ebook provided by Saga Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Heart Beach series. This one was a lot of fun. Jeremiah has told his family that he wasn’t able to visit the family beach house recently because of a new girlfriend, and then his mom invites the new girlfriend to come along, except he doesn’t have a girlfriend at all. He has a chance meeting with Noelle, who is a bridesmaid-for-hire as a side gig, and he proposes a fake dating contract for hire. She needs to money to go back to school, so she goes along with it. Except it’s totally clear that these two are attracted to each other and get along great. Add in some messy family dynamics and it’s the perfect setup for summer drama. Loved seeing Noelle get along with Jeremiah’s family and for him to work out his own issues with them. Dual POV.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley Romance via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Upgrade to a paid membership to get even more juicy details on all the ways I’m making content and generating income.

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Monthly Income Report: June 2026

Jul 2, 2026 | Side Hustle Diaries

Here’s the June 2026 breakdown of all the pennies I’ve collected from the internet. I’ve organized the income sources into bigger categories and then provided details from each source.

Affiliate Commissions: $1,841.57

TikTok Shop Affiliate: $1,121.96

I have been creating TikTok Shop Affiliate videos since Sept 2024 and seeing steady sales. The process involves quick reviews or demonstrations of products that are sold within TikTok shop and linking them within the TikTok video. Results vary wildly depending on the product, the day, the month, the season, and the algorithm. This month, I had one product go crazy pants viral and contributed to over $600 in commission. (link to my TikTok account)

I’ve provided a screenshot of my top selling products on TikTok Shop this month below.

Read more about how I made over $19k in commission in the first year of doing TikTok Shop Affiliate.

Etsy Affiliate: $28.61

The primary place where I promote Etsy affiliate links is through Pinterest. I’ve had a Pinterest account since forever, so my account is already full of craft tutorial links. I post my affiliate links to crochet and quilt patterns, and these have generated the most sales for me historically. (link to my Pinterest account) However, Etsy recently changed their affiliate program provider, so it’s all of the links that I’ve generated over the past couple years no longer lead to commission. I have gotten set up on the new platform and am starting to post links on Pinterest again, but it will take some time for the new pins to generate views and clicks. From my previous experience, it takes at least two months to see any conversions from content that I post on Pinterest. It’s somewhat disconcerting to start over, but I know what seems to work with my account, so hopefully, it’ll pick back up once my pins have time to circulate. I’m mostly annoyed that my many years of building up links have stopped generating income. And losing out on what was previously about $200 per month in commission is a real downer.

Amazon Affiliate: $689.56

I’ve been an Amazon affiliate since the early days of my blog and have always recommended various supplies for art and lettering. However, the bulk of my income now comes from on-site commissions, where product review videos get added directly to the product page by Amazon. If someone watches the video on the product page and makes a purchase, then I get the affiliate commission. (link to my Amazon Storefront) This month was my best ever for Amazon commissions!

Read more about my process for making product review videos on Amazon

Benable: $1.44

Benable a website that has its own audience and search functionality where you can link to various products and websites in collections. The affiliate income is baked into the platform when someone clicks on your featured product and makes a purchase. Probably the lowest friction income source since you don’t need an existing audience. (link to sign up for Benable)

Other Affiliate Programs: $0

Working on generating links with ShopMy and made my first affiliate sale here. This platform is promising because I get to generate affiliate links with a chrome plug-in for lots of different shops. (link to join ShopMy, link to my guide to getting started with ShopMy)

Products: $260.64

Paper Goods Etsy Shop: $0

I sell bookmarks here mostly, with the occasional digital download. (link to Etsy shop)

Fiber Goods Etsy Shop: $7.25

Once upon a time, I thought I was going to make scarves and blankets while my baby napped and I could sell them online. And that kind of worked, but not profitably. Listings expired, and then I switched to smaller objects like coasters and cozies, and now I’m mostly selling digital crochet patterns. (link to Etsy shop)

PangoBooks: $18.00

I list used books for sale using the PangoBooks app. Sales are sporadic. (link to my PangoBooks shop)

Read more about how I use the PangoBooks app to quickly and easily sell used books.

Ebay: $224.40

I’ve been cross-listing books onto ebay, since I realized many of them were sitting stagnant on Pango. In the process of listing books here, I learned that the ebay app is really easy to use for filling in the listing information. I’ve started putting up more items that I received as samples from TikTok Shop. Lots of new-in-box makeup, makeup brushes, and pens. My approach here is really just to get things out of my house, as long as someone else pays the shipping. I generally list things on auction with a fairly low starting bid, and then we just see what happens. This month, I was starting to run out of things to list for sale. (link to my ebay store)

Digital Downloads: $10.99

Too many shops, not enough marketing. (link to crochet pattern shop, link to printables shop)

Print on Demand: $0

Once upon a time, I uploaded a ton of designs onto RedBubble. I do not nurture this revenue stream at all right now, and any sales are just a bonus surprise. (link to Redbubble shop)

Content Monetization: $22.96

Mediavine: $17.02

Clearly, this is not a very lucrative income source, since the minimum payout to transfer to a bank account is $100. However, coins are coins, so I’m leaving the ads turned on at my blog. Is it enough to offset the cost of the website hosting and domain registration? Probably not. But it hosts content that hopefully leads to other affiliate sales. (link to blog)

Instagram Bonus for Posts: $5.36

I have no idea how this was activated or why. I was previously enrolled in an Instagram Reels bonus program, but that has since been discontinued. So I realized that even if I’m only making a few cents per post, the more I post, the more cents I can make. And what’s really crazy is that I can just screenshot my audiobook player, talk about the book a little bit, and create really easy content that way. Also, the more I post about my side hustles, the more views I get. (link to my Instagram)

Facebook Monetization: $0.58

I was randomly approved for Facebook monetization on March 29, so I’m still learning how to optimize this. My follower count is crazy small and I have no idea how eyeballs are getting to my posts and reels. I have set up my Instagram account to automatically repost everything to Facebook, so I don’t have a dedicated content strategy here. I’m not entirely sure how to get more views, but it looks like the payment rate for reels is terrible ($0.03 per thousand qualified views) and better for photos ($0.25 per thousand qualified views), except my photos don’t seem to get many views in the first place. (link to my Facebook)

Recurring Expenses

No income report is complete without factoring in expenses. I tend to pay annual subscriptions rates for things, so this will just be a recurring list of resources that I use.

Bluehost for blog hosting and domain registration $350/year (check out the blog here)
Flodesk for email marketing $209/year (affiliate link for Flodesk) – I’m planning to migrate subscribers to Beehiiv in the next couple months and cancel Flodesk, but I’m paid up until November, so no rush right now.
Beehiiv for my side hustle diaries $517/year (affiliate link for Beehiiv)
USPS PO Box $210/year
Canva Pro $120/year

Top Five Favorite Romance Books of June 2026 – historical romance, contemporary romance

Jul 1, 2026 | Book Reviews

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Bancroft Sisters series. Plenty of chaos and humor and slow-growing affection. Bookish Harriet and rakish Alexander are caught in a compromising situation, and there’s no guarantee that Alexander will do the honorable thing. So Harriet ends up kidnapping him for an elopement. The banter and not-quite flirting between these two is so fun to read, plus they’re most definitely attracted to each other, despite agreeing on a marriage in name only. I really couldn’t put it down and I loved watching these two dummies fall in love. Audiobook is duet narration. If you love bluestocking-rake pairings or if you love the humor that’s typically found in Tessa Dare books, you’ll love this one too.

Advance ebook provided by Zando Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Love the banter here in this rivals to lovers romance. Sloane is a wedding photographer and storm chaser dealing with a codependent mother and two slightly unreliable younger brothers. She’s on her annual storm chasing trip, hoping to photograph an image that will win the cover contest of a coveted magazine. But she’s dealing with the annoyingly arrogant Wes along the way. He takes way too many risks on the road, flirts with too many other people, and is generally not reliable enough to tempt Sloane. And then they get stuck together and actually maybe start talking and connecting. The tension here is great, and Wes turns out to be the most supportive person in Sloane’s life. Loved this book so much.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Love on the Vine series. Poor Ramin tried to propose to his long-term boyfriend, only to be rejected and told that he’s boring. Ugh. So Ramin drunkenly books a trip to Italy to go be a new adventurous version of himself. And then he runs into an old high school crush Noah, who’s there with his kid and his ex-wife. It’s all sparks instantly, but Noah’s not sure if Ramin is still heartbroken over his ex, and Ramin is assuming that Noah is straight. But once they clear that up, it’s definitely a fast-burn steamy romance. Loved this book, although Noah’s ex-wife’s personality was giving me anxiety sometimes.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Libro.fm // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 9 of the Palace of Rogues series. This book is the epitome of yearning. The kind that punches you in the gut, makes you teary, and also makes you believe in love. Guinevere goes to gaming hell owner Gabriel to plead her case to cancel her naive brother’s debts, but it doesn’t go well. And then they both end up boarding at the Grand Palace on the Thames, so continually interact in our cozy boarding house. It’s feisty bickering between these two, which is super humorous to read. But then it turns to care and compassion as they start to learn each other’s motives. Anything between them is impossible due to their social stations, but you can feel every emotion that they eventually feel for each other. The very best sort of romance.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Collins Audio. Final print book provided by Avon Books.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Flirty Rotten Scoundrels series. Outspoken Ruby is pretty much a walking scandal, so she and her three friends scheme to visit Cornwall, pretending to be a princess’s ladies in waiting. They find a run-down house instead, filled with a merry band of pirates. One of whom had most recently forged some ancient statues and is hiding his own identity. But Captain Malcolm Archer fails at all his attempts to scare Ruby and her friends out of the house, and falls for her instead. Loved their plotting and scheming and how they were both keeping secrets. I especially love when they start teaming up for a common cause. Funny and steamy and delightful.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Weekly Reads: June 22 to 28, 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance, thriller)

Jun 30, 2026 | Book Reviews

Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. More about family than the romantic relationship, but a whole mess of chaos during a two-week Indian wedding celebration. Simran and Leo have only just barely gotten together, when she’s called by her cousin home to New Jersey for a family wedding. Simran grew up in India, was orphaned as a teenager, and lived with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in America. Until she couldn’t handle the overbearing stifling nature of her aunt anymore and moved out. She’s been estranged from her family for five years, and the stress of returning is a lot. And then her new boyfriend Leo accidentally drops by for the engagement party, and chaotic shenanigans ensue. The cousins all decide that they should let Leo pretend to be the groom’s friend and ingratiate himself among the family. Funny, emotional, and all the things I love in a messy family.

Advance ebook provided by Pamela Dorman Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Flirty Rotten Scoundrels series. Outspoken Ruby is pretty much a walking scandal, so she and her three friends scheme to visit Cornwall, pretending to be a princess’s ladies in waiting. They find a run-down house instead, filled with a merry band of pirates. One of whom had most recently forged some ancient statues and is hiding his own identity. But Captain Malcolm Archer fails at all his attempts to scare Ruby and her friends out of the house, and falls for her instead. Loved their plotting and scheming and how they were both keeping secrets. I especially love when they start teaming up for a common cause. Funny and steamy and delightful.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Bancroft Sisters series. Plenty of chaos and humor and slow-growing affection. Bookish Harriet and rakish Alexander are caught in a compromising situation, and there’s no guarantee that Alexander will do the honorable thing. So Harriet ends up kidnapping him for an elopement. The banter and not-quite flirting between these two is so fun to read, plus they’re most definitely attracted to each other, despite agreeing on a marriage in name only. I really couldn’t put it down and I loved watching these two dummies fall in love. Audiobook is duet narration. If you love bluestocking-rake pairings or if you love the humor that’s typically found in Tessa Dare books, you’ll love this one too.

Advance ebook provided by Zando Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Jess goes on a bad date on her birthday, gets mugged, and wakes up in Ireland. She spends a whirlwind day with Eamonn and pretty much falls in love with him in a weekend. But she may actually be dreaming or hallucinating or something. The premise is a little magical, but the emotions and the way Jess and Eamonn get to know each other is very real. Loved seeing them connect and care for each other. Can it be a slow burn if it happens in a day? It definitely felt like it.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

You Had Me at Heist by Christina Britton (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Wimpole Street Widows Society series. Tragic prologue for Iris, whose mother passes away, then there’s a fire at her home, covering up the fact that her mother’s plant research journals are stolen. Fast forward five years and Iris overhears that a certain dastardly lord is claiming the work as his own. The widows band together to uncover the man’s plots and find the lost journals. Of course, there’s a guard in the way. Oliver is a disgraced Bow Street Runner who works for the lord and suspects that something isn’t quite right. Despite his attraction for Iris. She’s keeping secrets, he’s distracted by her general forthright nature, and these two people are most definitely falling in love. Most of the book, I was just waiting for them to get it together and team up against the villain, instead of having Oliver being loyal to his employer. Loved this book and this series.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

As Far as She Knew by Diana Awad (2026)

Thriller. Amira’s husband Ali suddenly passes away and she finds out that he has a secret house in another state that she knew nothing about. We spend the whole book second guessing Ali’s motives, their marriage, and the friends from the past who keep popping up. Amira’s just trying to uncover the truth, but there’s diversions everywhere she looks. I was totally hooked into the book, trying to figure out who’s being dishonest here. There’s some flashback chapters as Amira reflects on her relationship with Ali throughout the years and questioning her own memories. I really enjoyed this one and will definitely read more thrillers from this author.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Vancouver Storm Contemporary Hockey Romance Book Series by Stephanie Archer

Jun 24, 2026 | Book Reviews

Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer (2023)

Contemporary romance. Book 1 of the Vancouver Storm series. Grumpy Jamie is back in his hometown to care for his mother who suffers from depression and anxiety. He definitely does not have time to date, and ends up hiring a personal assistant to take care of his dog. When his high school crush Pippa shows up at his door, he doesn’t tell her he recognizes her right away. She’s down on her luck after her boyfriend dumped her and basically slashed her dreams of being a musician. Luckily, Jamie is the ultimate supportive boss, friend, and eventual boyfriend. They spend a lot of time trying to resist each other, but it’s super steamy when they stop fighting it. Fun intro to the series and looking forward to reading more.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Bookshop.org // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer (2023)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Vancouver Storm series. Steamy fake dating romance here. Hazel and Rory have known each other since high school; he’s kind of an asshole, but learning to get along with his new team; she’s not interested in any sort of long term commitment and especially not with hockey players. But her toxic ex-boyfriend is traded to the team where she works and she pretends Rory is her boyfriend to get him to leave her alone. Rory, who is clearly smitten with Hazel, agrees to the ruse, but he’s really trying to convince her that this thing is real. Flirty banter the whole way through and learning about Rory’s family and backstory. He’s the ultimate boyfriend though and very obviously falls first and harder.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

The Wingman by Stephanie Archer (2024)

Contemporary romance. Book 3 of the Vancouver Storm series. Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope because it moves so slow. Both Hayden and Darcy are totally skittish around each other, not wanting to ruin the friendship, but also insanely attracted to each other. They each have their own separate insecurities: Hayden for getting a reputation as a player and not being considered boyfriend material, and Darcy for having her shine completely dulled by her overbearing ex-boyfriend. Darcy is looking to expand her dating horizons and asks Hayden for help, not knowing that he’s so completely gone for her that he’ll do anything to make him happy. I loved their friendship and connection and how amazingly supportive Hayden is.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 4 of the Vancouver Storm series. Georgia and Alexei have been angry flirting almost all series, so it’s their turn for a marriage of convenience story. Alexei needs citizenship and Georgia needs her inheritance, so the scheme is born. But man, they totally hate each other because they willfully misunderstand and make assumptions about each other. Kind of irritating at first how immature they behave towards each other. Their relationship is much better when they get to know each other for real though. Alexei is just the right amount of generous and protective. And Georgia, well, she still likes to mess with Alexei.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 5 of the Vancouver Storm series. Tate and Jordan have had a bit of a contentious relationship for years, when Tate’s boss and hockey team owner tasks him with monthly check ins with Jordan, the nearby bar owner and woman who is estranged from her team owner father. The underlying attraction is definitely simmering throughout. And then they’re forced into even more proximity when dear old dad wants to sell the team and Jordan steps up to try to keep the team together. We get Jordan figuring out her life and how hockey fits into it, Tate trying not to sexually harass his new employee but also being totally protective of her, and both of them learning to trust each other and open up. Super sweet interactions between Jordan and Tate’s nine year old daughter, plus the whole book is super steamy. I do enjoy a protective partner, so him rescuing her from her crappy apartment and getting along with her violent cat is a bonus.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited

Want to keep your own reading organized? Try this digital reading journal template!

Affiliate links may be used within this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Thanks for reading Random Olive Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Weekly Reads: June 15 to 21, 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance)

Jun 23, 2026 | Book Reviews

Tropesick by Lauren Okie (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. This book had so much messy angst. The setup reminded me a lot of How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, except we’re left in suspense for most of the book to learn how Katie’s brother and Tyler’s best friend had died eight years ago. Katie and Tyler were neighbors and friends and maybe more, until her brother died and Tyler walked away from her with no explanation. And now they’re stuck working together to ghost write a romance novel for an eccentric recluse. The push and pull between these two will definitely punch you in the gut, and I was hanging on to find out what ruined their past and how they could possibly build a future. Loved it.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by LibroFM.

Sometime This Century by Samantha Silva (2026)

Speculative romance. Time travel from present day America to Regency-era England. Standalone novel. The main plot here was fun, but it didn’t feel much like a romance book since the romance plot was so secondary. Annabel is a writer who is visiting England to deal with her boss’s inherited estate. She’s got a fixation on all things Austen and Regency period, so she’s looking forward to the experience. There’s even a Regency society that throws events. Except, she’s actually traveling back in time. At some point in present-day, her influencer sister Cassandra and vlogging sidekick Billy show up, and then all three of them travel back in time to a ball and then get stuck there. Most of the plot is these three trying to go back to their own time and trying to blend in with society and not get caught. Oh, and Annabel may have a suitor in the Darcy-like Henry, but like, we barely know the guy, so it’s hard to be invested.

Advance ebook provided by Harper Perennial via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Audio.

Never Mind the Mistletoe by Louisa Darling (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Drake Family series. Estranged married couple, Theo and Arabella, are on their separate but parallel journeys to their country estate for Christmas. It’s their only son’s holiday wish each year for the three of them to spend the holiday together, despite the couple maintaining totally separate households. It’s a road trip filled with broken carriages, snowstorms, and more. All this trouble leads them to spend more time together than usual and actually maybe sort of communicate and work out their issues. It’s a novella, so the conflict gets resolved pretty quickly, but I enjoyed it all the same.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Hoopla.

Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. The romance plot here is secondary to the personal growth that Phoebe has to undergo to deal with her anxiety. It’s a great setup: the ever-anxious Phoebe has a list to embolden herself to lose her virginity by age 30. She’s our pre-K teacher, list-loving, panic attack having heroine of the story, but we actually don’t know the hero of the story. There’s three potential guys to root for: Hinge-match and ex-classmate Matthew, best friend and roommate Jonathan, and new teacher co-worker Finn. It’s kind of a mess of Phoebe getting caught in awkward situations and embarrassing herself. And since we really don’t know the guy very well, the book falls a little flat on the relationship-building part of a romance novel. Still great to read, loved the big friend group dynamics, but not enough romance.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Chase Me If You Can by Heather Frances (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Love the banter here in this rivals to lovers romance. Sloane is a wedding photographer and storm chaser dealing with a codependent mother and two slightly unreliable younger brothers. She’s on her annual storm chasing trip, hoping to photograph an image that will win the cover contest of a coveted magazine. But she’s dealing with the annoyingly arrogant Wes along the way. He takes way too many risks on the road, flirts with too many other people, and is generally not reliable enough to tempt Sloane. And then they get stuck together and actually maybe start talking and connecting. The tension here is great, and Wes turns out to be the most supportive person in Sloane’s life. Loved this book so much.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

The Duke’s Got Mail by Samara Parish (2026)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the England’s Sweethearts series. I always enjoy a good You’ve Got Mail retelling, and this one definitely hit the spot. The letter writing was excellent, plus the meet cute, and the eventual rivalry. Eleanor is the fastest compositor in the publishing industry, but quickly put out of business by the introduction of the linotype, a machine built to mechanize typesetting. And Peter, the duke, is the culprit. Tons of fighting and flirting and a slow softening and forgiveness. I loved Peter’s messy and loud sisters and how he could only be himself with Eleanor.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley.

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Romance New Releases from February 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance)

Jun 17, 2026 | Book Reviews

Racing Hearts by Ann Adams (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Kath is hyper obsessed with routine and rowing and she’s had a terrible racing slump. Her coach basically kicks her out of the Olympic training center and she’s stuck back with her unreliable mother and a new coach with unusual methods. Adrian is mostly just being flexible to the rowers’ needs and trying to help with the athletes’ mental health as part of their training. Kath of course is totally resistant, until she realizes that she’s got everything to lose if she doesn’t actually try things his way. He’s amazing and awesome and super good at coaching both Kath and the high school boys, in a way that is so endearing. And then we get the romance bit where Adrian is also an amazing boyfriend, though Kath insists it’s temporary and she won’t catch feelings. Right. I loved this book so much, with Kath’s journey into being less rigid and more accepting of love.

Advance ebook provided by Dell via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm

The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 5 of the Vancouver Storm series. Tate and Jordan have had a bit of a contentious relationship for years, when Tate’s boss and hockey team owner tasks him with monthly check ins with Jordan, the nearby bar owner and woman who is estranged from her team owner father. The underlying attraction is definitely simmering throughout. And then they’re forced into even more proximity when dear old dad wants to sell the team and Jordan steps up to try to keep the team together. We get Jordan figuring out her life and how hockey fits into it, Tate trying not to sexually harass his new employee but also being totally protective of her, and both of them learning to trust each other and open up. Super sweet interactions between Jordan and Tate’s nine year old daughter, plus the whole book is super steamy. I do enjoy a protective partner, so him rescuing her from her crappy apartment and getting along with her violent cat is a bonus.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

An Urgent Kiss by Alexa Aston (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6 of the Captivating Kisses series. Tragic prologue for Hugo, who grew up with a stutter and a cruel and abusive father. He’s all grown up in this story, taken the title of earl, and ushering his younger sister through her debut. He happens to meet his sister’s friend Tia, believes her to be too outspoken and a bad influence, but is also distractedly attracted to her. Lady Tia is the younger sister of a duke, not necessarily looking to marry this season, and happy to make friends. She dislikes the arrogant Hugo, but that’s because he’s stiff and socially awkward, not because he’s actually arrogant. It’s pretty clear that they fall in love here, once she realizes that he’s a really nice guy. Fun family dynamics on Tia’s side, with all her siblings and cousins.

Advance ebook provided by Dragonblade Publishing via NetGalley.

Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Clover Lake series. If you love a messy set-up, this book is for you. April is doing rough financially, so she takes an art teaching job at a local resort. And then it turns out her roommate and co-teacher is Daphne, the woman that he ex-fiancee cheated on her with. Ouch. Daphne is in an equally tough spot, having recently been dumped by said woman, and also did not know about April’s existence. It’s messy and angry and chaotic, plus they’re attracted to each other. Throw in some actual competition between the two in the form of a chance to show at an art gallery, and it’s heartbreak waiting to happen. I loved reading these two defensive and heartbroken people open up to each other and slowly start to let their walls down.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

And Now, Back to You by BK Borison (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Heartstrings series. Opposites attract here with the grumpy straightlaced Jackson and the bubbly and chaotic Delilah. Except she isn’t really that chaotic, her toxic boss is trying to sabotage her. Jackson does radio weather, Delilah does TV weather, and their respective bosses team them up and send them to the mountains to cover a snowstorm. Reading these two interact and truly get to know each other is a joy. Like, this book was such a delight. And I especially loved that Jackson is raising his teenage sisters with such care and affection. Humor and steam and emotional angst all rolled into one.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Academic rivals Frances and Lewis have a meet cute on their flight to a conference, and then are assumed to be dating by the conference organizer. And then they keep up the ruse through the conference because Frances doesn’t accidentally want to be called a liar. It turns out Lewis is not a mean guy, but just a socially awkward one who made one academic mistake on the advice of his mentor, and Frances is totally obsessed with prioritizing her work over any other type of relationship. I enjoyed seeing them communicate and air out their disagreements and then also nerd out together over science. This was a couple that was really fun to read, especially when they were supporting each other instead of getting in each other’s way. Super cute, steamy, and emotional.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Still Into You by Erin Connor (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Journalist Sloane has an opportunity to write an article on her ex-boyfriend Dax’s band. And she’s trying to keep things totally professional, even though it’s clear that he’s making heart eyes at her. They pretty much had a whirlwind summer together three years ago before she broke it off to go back to college and pursue her own career. Now, they’ve reconnected and it’s a chance for Sloane to see if she can juggle it all. The whole book is told from Sloane’s POV (and audiobook narration is mostly done by Karissa Vacker), with excerpts from interview transcripts of all the band members (with a different narrator for each band mate). It’s interesting seeing Sloane try so hard to prioritize her career, when Dax is clearly ready to commit and be a supportive partner for her. Loved the levels of yearning here and that the original breakup wasn’t so messy that it makes the re-do impossible.

Advance ebook provided by Forever Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Hachette Audio.

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Cozy mystery with a dash of romance. Pip is the assistant to a group of seven authors (in various genres) and they’re on their first book cruise. And then the head-boss, mystery writer Hugh, is murdered on practically the first day. Everyone on board the ship is a suspect, but especially the other six writers. There’s a mystery to solve, but at least Pip and Nash get to grow closer together. This one was fun to read, a little predictable, and reminded me a lot of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Bookshop.org // Libro.fm // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

One & Only by Maurene Goo (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. A smidge of magic here in the form of Cassia’s family matchmaking talent. They do this thing called face reading, and it helps find someone’s past life, past love, and their one and only soulmate. And as Cassia is about to turn 40, she’s still looking for her fated, a man called Daniel that her grandmother read in her face. But she meets great guy Ellis instead, and then it turns out Daniel is his boss. Oh, the mess and angst. And it’s really a story of finding your fate, but having someone else who matches you just as well. Or maybe there are multiple possibilities when it comes to love. It’s all Cassia’s point of view here, and despite the love triangle, everyone is great and we can see how easily Cassia can fit with either Ellis or Daniel. I loved the family dynamics here and how all the characters interact. Loved this book.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

The Ex-Perimento by Maria J. Morillo (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. We spend most of the book with Marianto being sad her boyfriend needed a break from her and trying to figure out how to win him back. She loses her boyfriend and her job and needs to re-evaluate her life, but she just wants all of it back. She comes up with a scheme to win her boyfriend and her job back, but her new boss Simon is pretty skeptical. He’s pretty much perfect, being the lead singer of her favorite band and being an awesome relationship coach. But how long will it take for Marianto to realize that Simon is a better fit for her? The romance part here between our endgame couple is a little light considering we spend so much time hung up on the ex-boyfriend.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

A Little Buzzed by Alys Murray (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Scout is a former rocket scientist turned sex toy engineer who has an inconvenient crush on her co-worker Hudson. He’s got the best sort of cinnamon roll energy, even if he’s totally naive about all the toys at the company. When Scout decides she’s got to let go of her virginity, she propositions Hudson for the job, in exchange for teaching him about all those toys. She wants to keep things strictly physical, since she can’t have any distractions from her work, but he’s clearly smitten with her. Lots of issues for Scout related to her parents, her genius-level intelligence, and a former toxic relationship. She’s got a whole lot of self-discovery to go through before finding her happily ever after. Loved this book so much.

Advance ebook provided by Berkley via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

It’s All in Your Head by Sabina Nordqvist (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Strangers from an online chronic illness message board meet and fake date. Skylar is just trying to be helpful and prevent Pike’s mom from calling the cops for a wellness check, and maybe sorta lies that she’s Pike’s girlfriend. It does not go over well. But they meet in person and establish some ground rules for their fake relationship. Basically, they’re both navigating life suffering from chronic pain and their respective medical conditions. And as they slowly start to trust each other, it’s amazing to see how supportive they can be. Lots of insecurity and self-doubt for each, but they’re the best advocates for each other. I loved seeing these two turn their fake relationship into a real relationship, and see all the support they get from their social circle. Seriously, one of the best books with chronic disability representation I’ve read.

Advance ebook provided by Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. I finished this one in a day because I was totally hooked. (That might not be saying much because I am fully capable of finishing a book a day when I’m on a roll). Tilly is a grieving widow who has been left a gift from her late husband at the local bookshop. A book a month, with a handwritten letter from her late husband, and each book is meant to inspire something in her life. It’s an emotional journey here as Tilly navigates her grief, and her relationship with her family, friends, and work. I loved seeing what new adventure her husband sent her each month. And the cute bookstore owner Alfie provided plenty of emotional support throughout the year. Super slow burn on the romance here, but I loved it all the same. Mostly told through Tilly’s point of view, but we get glimpses of Alfie’s perspective through the year as well. Excellent book, though it leaned more towards contemporary fiction than a traditional romance. The feelings I had reading it reminded me a lot of Overdue by Stephanie Perkins.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Thanks so much for reading this post! Looking for more bookish resources and romance book reviews? Read the archives!

Useful Resources:

Want an intro to historical romance series? This post will help!

Get my massive guide of all the romances I’ve read on Kindle Unlimited