Weekly Reads: January 27 to February 2, 2025

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 3 of the Big Shots series. Hockey player Sig meets his dream girl Chloe when his car breaks down at a country club. After a steamy kiss, they make plans to meet up again after he has dinner with his father. And then it all goes downhill when he finds out that Chloe is meant to be his future stepsister. Somehow, he’s quickly entangled in her life as he helps her set up her own apartment away from her mother and they become the best of friends. It’s pretty much insta-love for these two, with every interaction between them filled with longing, but they’re both doing their best to keep things platonic since they’re soon-to-be=stepsiblings. This whole book is chaotic and messy and hilarious. And when we start getting steamy, it’s well worth the payoff. Chloe is the ultimate manic pixie dream girl character and so much fun to read.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.

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

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Super cute fake dating romance between an herbalist who is cursed in love and a rock cello player with a reputation of being a heartbreaker. Chryssy has pretty much sworn off relationships since she has been dumped so many times and chalks it up to the family curse of never having lasting love. A chance encounter with a rock cello player, Vin, at a kid’s birthday party, causes all sorts of public speculation. Vin needs the gossip to help him sell concert tickets, so he asks Chryssy for help. She also gets more business at her family’s inn as a side benefit, so she agrees to the fake dating scheme. Of course, these two end up super compatible with each other and a slow and sweet romance develops. I liked seeing these two work as partners with their respective struggles and really communicate well with each other. The story totally sucked me in and I read it in a day. Fade to black on the intimate encounters and no third-act break-up.

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

A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy (2018)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Longhope Abbey series. Cassandra and Joshua only met once on their wedding day and have been estranged the entire two years of their marriage. When Cassandra goes to London to make arrangements for her sister’s debut into society, Joshua doesn’t even recognize her when they run into each other in the park. He just wants her to leave so he can be alone and focus on his business, but she’s got a task to do to take care of her family. There’s a lot of bickering and argument between these two, even though they’re terribly attracted to each other. They both have their individual traumas and burdens, which prevent them from wanting to get emotionally involved with each other. This book was delightfully angsty and steamy and I enjoyed watching these two slowly fall in love.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Shop this book via Amazon // Bookshop.org

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan (2022)

Fantasy romance. Book 1 of the Celestial Kingdom series. Epic fantasy told from the perspective of Xingyin, the daughter of the fabled Moon Goddess who stole the Elixir of Immortality from her husband and imprisoned on the moon. Well, apparently, in the process of drinking the elixir to save her and her daughter’s life, the moon goddess did not tell anyone of Xingyin’s existence. When the Celestial Empress comes to visit and investigate a disturbance of magic on the moon, Xingyin is forced to flee before she can be discovered. She ends up right in the heart of the Celestial Kingdom, first serving as a lady’s maid, and then becoming the friend and companion to Prince Liwei. We get to watch Xingyin’s knowledge, power, and skill grow as she navigates both political and dangerous territory. Tons of action and adventure taking place over many years, all with the goal of eventually re-uniting with and freeing her mother. There’s a love triangle afoot here as Xingyin’s relationship with Prince Liwei blossoms and a newcomer joins the scene. However, the romance is very much secondary to Xingyin’s personal growth and quest. Loved it!

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Print book provided by Harper Collins via TikTok Shop.

An Unexpected Kiss by Alexa Aston (2025)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Captivating Kisses series. Believing himself to be the illegitimate son of a seamstress, Julian is shocked to learn that he is the legitimate son and heir to the marquess. His life takes a very different turn when he inherits and takes on the title and wealth. He’s lucky to meet his neighbor, Lady Ariadne in their shared garden, who tasks her brother to assist Julian on his entry into society. Ariadne is the daughter of a duke making her debut this season and is a bit stifled by her parents’ expectations. She would much rather do some good in the world by caring for the less fortunate. She’s hoping to find a match that would support her goals. It seems that Julian and Ariadne are well-suited to each other and even share a scorching kiss one day, but he needs to get over his fear of being inferior to her. Quick read and a fun set-up for a whole cast of siblings and cousins that will be featured in this series.

Advance ebook provided by Dragonblade Publishing via NetGalley.

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

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan (2022)

Fantasy romance. Book 2 of the Celestial Kingdom series. We continue where the last book left off, but peace is a fragile thing with more treachery threatening the Celestial Kingdom. I loved how we revisit so many of the beloved characters from Book 1, but there is much heartbreak as we fight the evil villain here. The love triangle is still triangulating up til the very end here, but these characters are busy fighting villains, so the romance is very much a background plotline. I loved this book as much as the first one and couldn’t put it down.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Tales of the Celestial Kingdom by Sue Lynn Tan (2024)

Fantasy romance. Book 3 of the Celestial Kingdom series. Consider this book a collection of bonus chapters and an epilogue for the Celestial Kingdom duology. We get a bunch of chapters from different characters’ perspectives, taking place before, during, and after the events of the first two books. There is a bunch of artwork embedded into the chapters, so I recommend picking up the ebook or physical book. Super fun addition to the series. And of course, the epilogue from Xingyin’s perspective ties the whole thing up.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.