Reading Roundup #67: One for the Books

I honestly don’t have some clever intro this week — I just read a lot of books while trying to avoid the news, and I have some thoughts. I wouldn’t recommend all of these books to everyone, but I would definitely recommend each of them to someone, so if one of these sounds like something you might like, enjoy! Maybe they’ll bring some comforting escapism to you, too. ♥️

A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding #1) by Freya Marske: This has been on my list from the moment it came out because you know what I love? Mysteries, magic (and magical bureaucracy), books about people who love books, romance, and historical fiction set in the Edwardian period — basically everything that this book is. And while I thought it would lean a little heavier on the mystery and adventure, the drawing room suspense was fun, too, and the writing was exquisite.

For the Throne (Wilderwood #2) by Hannah Whitten: For the Throne picks up right where the first book left off, throwing us into the Shadowlands along with Neve, and it’s not interested in playing catch-up — which makes the duology tighter but also means you really should probably reread For the Wolf and refresh your memory before starting this book. Neve was a character who both fascinated and frustrated in Wolf, and I quickly fell in love with her and her thorns here. The excellent world-building of the first book continues, and the plot intrigues and satisfies, and the romance is as twisted as I could desire. But the true heart of these books remains the sisters, as everything comes down to Neve and Red and their unstoppable love for each other. Which is as it should be. My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain: As an old movie fan, of course I’ve seen the classic noir with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, but this was my first time reading the book, and it was such fun seeing where the film was faithful and where it diverged. If you don’t know the story, it’s basically about two psychopaths who hook up and then the bodies start dropping. Delightfully sinister and twisted.

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie: So. Freakin’. Cute. I love these weirdos, by which I mean the heroine, the hero, and all their hilarious friends. Min is a woman after my own heart — capable, kind, funny as hell, and with a deep and abiding love for shoes. Cal is adorably clueless but just as hilarious and very hot. He may or may not have opened my eyes to a fetish or two that I never thought I was into — or maybe I’m just into Cal? From start to end, there’s so much to love here, and I can see myself coming back to it when I need a good laugh.

Crossing the Line (Wilde Ways #7) by Cynthia Eden: I’ve read a few of Eden’s Wilde Ways books now, and they’re always steamy, suspenseful fun. I loved the first half of this book, which was pure 1980s mystery show. Remember the episode where Laura and Mr. Steele go undercover at fancy island party and people start dying? It’s like that. The second half takes them off the island and into more outright action territory, but it’s still entertaining, and I really loved the partners-to-lovers dynamic between the leads.

Billionaires of Manhattan #2-3 by Annika Martin: For silly, sexy fun about dorks falling in love, this series is great. The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl was fun but a little lacking, as the plot sort of moved around without really getting me onboard with the why’s of certain points, but the leads’ interactions were so entertaining (and steamy), I didn’t care much. Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules, however, had me at “meow.” Mia and Max are perfectly sexy and adorable, and the initial conflict between them felt real without going too far into cruel territory, especially once you realize they both completely misunderstand what happened between them in high school. Plus, they’re dorky theatre kids at heart — my people! This one goes into the reread pile, and I’m hooked.

—b