The Neurospicy Bean

  This is one of those lovely romances where yes, it’s a romance and that relationship is central, but there’s also a huge emphasis on the other relationships in the book. It stars the titular Delilah Green, who maybe cares a little bit more than the title suggests, and Claire Sutherland, bookshop owner, single mother, and best friend of Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid Parker. Just that description should show how messy and tangled all the relationships in this book are – especially when you add the fact that Astrid is engaged to a guy everyone hates and asked Delilah to come home to be the wedding photographer. So aside from Delilah and Claire’s relationship, we’ve also got Delilah’s relationships with Astrid, Astrid and Claire’s other best friend Iris, Claire’s daughter Ruby, and the entire town of Bright Falls. Claire’s side is a bit less complicated, but not by much. All these relationships provide a richness and depth often not present in more straightforward romances. The

  This is absolutely everything I want in a book: romance, drama, political intrigue, revolution, and deep emotional healing. It stars Kiem and Jainan, who have been forced into a rushed arranged marriage after the death of Jainan’s first husband. They are expected to put forward a united front to symbolize the relationship between Iskat, the imperial state run by Kiem’s family, and Thea, Jainan’s home planet which has begun to resist Iskat’s rule. They must navigate not only their personal challenges but also a dangerous plot that begins to appear amid increased unrest and exploitation. So, again – just absolutely the ideal blend of romance and external plot for me. I absolutely adored both of these characters. Kiem in particular was so unreservedly sweet and compassionate. Also there was one of my favorite tropes ever, also known as “oh no we’re stranded in the freezing wilderness, we’d better huddle together in a tiny tent for warmth.” Plus a big dramatic confession of love at the e