Tropes: opposites attract; pro hockey romance; found family; grump/sunshine; librarian FMC with a heart of gold; misunderstood MMC; marriage of convenience
The fear of being vulnerable in love will always be my favorite romance theme. It makes my heart race and brings tears to my eyes every time. There’s nothing more terrifying than trusting someone with your heart, knowing they could destroy it with a single harsh word or action.
Helena Hunting absolutely nails this in If You Claim Me, her latest Toronto Terror book featuring Mildred “Dred” and Connor. This story took me on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish – and it’s easily my favorite in the series.
What I loved:
Connor’s quiet, devoted love for Dred
Dred’s ability to love even the most difficult people
The amazing friend group and found family
Connor calling Dred “darling” (swoon!)
The perfect balance of grumpy/sunshine and marriage of convenience tropes
The way these two struggle to open up to each other, even when it’s obvious they’re deeply in love, absolutely wrecked me. Hunting masterfully builds the tension until you’re practically screaming at them to just be honest with each other. And when they finally do? Happy tears guaranteed.
This reminds me so much of Little Lies (Lavender and Kody’s story), which is my other favorite Hunting book. Both couples share that same fear of revealing their true feelings, terrified of losing everything. The emotional depth in these two books shows a different side of Hunting – beyond her trademark steamy humor, she can write heart-wrenching emotion that stays with you long after the last page.
If You Claim Me is easily in my top 5 romance reads of 2025. If you love stories about two people learning to trust each other with their whole hearts, this book is an absolute must-read. Helena Hunting has earned a permanent spot on my auto-buy list.
I wrote up the contract myself. Legally binding. Crystal clear. No strings. No feelings. Just sex — and two million dollars in exchange for my time and expertise.
Carter Fabri may be Tampa Bay’s newest rising star, but off the ice, he’s all Bambi eyes and inexperience. He’s a virgin in desperate need of lessons in dominance, seduction, and everything in between.
And I happen to be just the woman to teach him.
I don’t need his money. But I do need what it can give me.
I’m thirty-two, cut off from my family, and one bill away from drowning in student debt. The fantasy I’ve built around my lifestyle is getting harder to maintain. This pay day would secure the lifestyle I’ve worked too hard to let slip through my fingers and finally give me the chance to save for something I’ve always wanted — something I’ve never told anyone about.
So, I take Carter on as my student. I lay out every rule, every boundary, every carefully controlled term of our arrangement. What I don’t plan for is how quickly he’d catch on — or how much I’d enjoy letting him take the reins.
This was supposed to be a lesson in power. But somewhere along the way, I stopped being the one in charge.
I thought I could keep my heart out of it. I thought I’d accounted for every risk. But some consequences you can’t predict — no matter how carefully you draft the terms.
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I think it’s important that you know this about me, that you understand this: I’m not sorry.
I’d do it again.
After my husband died eight years ago, I made vengeance my only purpose, my religion, my destiny. But to get to my enemy, I had to make myself like him. He had a kingdom of secrets? Then I would make an empire. He had blood on his hands? Then I would bathe in it.
But Tristan and Isolde changed everything. I hadn’t counted on wanting them, needing them; I hadn’t counted on how it felt to watch the two of them fall in love. I’d thought I had everything under control—I’d thought I was safe from my own long-dead heart. I’d never imagined that the wronged husband, the jealous king from my childhood fairy tales, would be played by none other than me.
It no longer matters what I used to believe. My enemy is ready to finish the game, and for the first time in eight years, I have pieces on the board I can’t afford to lose. I’ll burn the entire world to keep Tristan and Isolde safe, I’ll scorch the earth—but as any good assassin will tell you, fire will only get a man so far, because there’s always something left in the ashes. And for the three of us, it’s the cold, bitter bones of the truth: their story begins and ends with me.
And every story needs a villain…
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Sierra Simone is a USA Today Bestselling former librarian (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk.) She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.
Finding the One, an all-new beautifully-crafted, tension-filled interconnected standalone romance in the River Rain Series from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley & Blue Box Press is live now!
Their parents being family friends, American/English aristocrat, Blake Sharp, and Scottish playboy Alasdair Wallace were thrust together all through their childhoods.
Blake thought Dair was a filthy, obnoxious, little boy bully.
Dair thought Blake was a spoiled, prissy wee miss.
Then Blake grew up to be a beautiful, loving woman who took care of everyone and made amazing pistachio muffins. And Dair grew up to be a protective, fun-loving, hard-living professional rugby player.
In the meantime, they’d both been deeply betrayed by lovers.
When their paths cross again, Blake is still reeling from her fiancé’s treachery and what she learned about herself during it.
Dair thinks he’s recovered from a marriage to a woman who was not at all what she seemed, and now he’s smitten by the woman Blake has become.
So smitten, he has every intention of exploring what they can grow to be together.
But their combined family history is filled with secrets and lies. Secrets and lies that explode in their faces.
And while they deal with that, ghosts from the past rise up and threaten to haunt their future.
Is what they built together strong enough to hold true?
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Vicky is an outlier. An outlier in society, an outlier in the business world; she’s even an outlier in her own family. She knows that people find her weird and annoying, and she’s resigned to her loneliness until she sees him. Having never been attracted to any man before, her new obsession with burly, rough and ready Mike and the fact she can’t breathe when he’s close comes as a shock.
Unfortunately, Vicky’s cold beauty doesn’t appeal to Mike. The woman they call the Ice Princess is the opposite of his type, and her obvious crush irritates him. How many times does he have to make it clear he’s not interested before she gets the message?
But there are things about Vicky Mike doesn’t know. Reasons she behaves the way she does. Loneliness, vulnerability and kindness, that she keeps hidden. And information her family should have shared with him. So when the fireworks start, and she screams, he acts on instinct, pulling her body into his. And when she buries into his chest, shaking in fear, for some reason he’s not so annoyed by her anymore…
This is a full-length, enemies-to-lovers romance with a neurodiverse heroine and a grumpy but protective hero.
Trigger warnings for assault and mentions of child abuse and neglect.
CONTENT WARNINGS
This novel contains descriptions of assault, domestic violence and past childhood neglect and abuse. Please read at your own discretion.
Thank you to Good Girls PR for this wonderful PR box!
From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Hartmann comes an all-new standalone crossover romance filled with heartache and dreams.
Lexington Hall and I were never supposed to collide—he, the golden boy of Hollywood, and me, a small-town dreamer with stars in my eyes. But when we shared the stage in our high school musical, something ignited.
Then, just as quickly, it all fell apart, leaving my dreams in pieces.
Now, four years later, Lex is a household name, turning our past into a television sensation. He’s spun our story for the world to see, while I’m still haunted by what we lost.
With millions obsessed over the “real” Stevie St. James, Lex reappears with an offer too tempting to turn down: a fake romance to keep the buzz alive, in exchange for the financial freedom I desperately need.
I convince myself I can play the part. But as old feelings resurface and new risks emerge, the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.
Dreams are easy to chase—but falling for the guy who shattered mine could cost me everything.
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Tropes: pro football player MMC; small town shy librarian FMC; opposites attract; football/sports romance; small town romance; childhood neighbors; spicy lessons
Karla Sorensen’s Lessons in Heartbreak represents a sophisticated exploration of the enemies-to-lovers romance trope, elevated by the author’s nuanced approach to character development and psychological depth. This novel showcases Sorensen’s ongoing journey as a romance novelist, presenting readers with a deliberately paced narrative that rewards careful attention to its intricate character dynamics.
Unlike Sorensen’s typically fast-paced works, Lessons in Heartbreak adopts a more measured approach that serves its thematic content well. The slower pacing allows for the full development of the acrimonious yet increasingly amorous banter between the main characters, Griffin and Ruby. This stylistic choice transforms what could have been superficial antagonism into a rich tapestry of verbal sparring that reveals deeper character motivations and emotional vulnerabilities.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of Griffin’s character arc. Initially presented as an archetypal “golden retriever” personality, cheerful, uncomplicated, and deliberately surface-level, Griffin undergoes substantial psychological development throughout the narrative. Sorensen employs the effective micro-trope of the MMC lacking self-awareness who gradually develops a deeper understanding through his relationship with the FMC.
Griffin’s superficial jocularity serves as a defense mechanism against deeper emotional pain, a psychological complexity that becomes increasingly apparent as Ruby’s perspective challenges his worldview. This internal growth creates a compelling contrast with his strained relationship with his twin brother, Barrett, highlighting how genuine connection can foster personal development in ways that familial connection cannot.
Sorensen masterfully executes another sophisticated romance trope: the concept of main characters who “see” each other more clearly than anyone else can. This mutual recognition becomes particularly poignant when contrasted with Griffin’s fractured family relationships. The author demonstrates considerable skill in illustrating how true intimacy involves not just attraction but genuine understanding and acceptance of one’s partner’s authentic self.
The novel’s central conflict, Ruby’s struggle to choose love despite a health issue, creates substantial emotional stakes without relying on external dramatic devices. Sorensen constructs this internal conflict with careful attention to psychological realism, avoiding the trap of manufactured drama that often weakens contemporary romance narratives. The “soul-deep” attraction that develops between Griffin and Ruby feels earned rather than convenient, a testament to the author’s careful character building.
The ancillary characters in Lessons in Heartbreak function as more than mere comic relief or plot devices. Ruby’s best friend Lauren, Griffin’s young relatives, and his teammate, Marcus create a supporting ecosystem that enhances rather than distracts from the central romance. These characters provide both humor and emotional depth, contributing to a “found family” dynamic that enriches the journey of Griffin and Ruby.
Sorensen’s small-town setting feels authentic and lived-in, creating an immersive community atmosphere that makes readers feel genuinely connected to the story’s world. This environmental storytelling adds layers of meaning to the character development, as Griffin and Ruby’s relationship evolves within a context of genuine community belonging.
What distinguishes Lessons in Heartbreak within the romance genre is Sorensen’s commitment to emotional authenticity. The love story she constructs between Griffin and Ruby transcends simple wish fulfillment to explore the genuine challenges and rewards of intimate partnership. Her ability to create believable, aspirational romantic relationships consistently across her body of work establishes her as a significant voice in contemporary romance literature.
Griffin’s transformation from self-protective humor to genuine emotional availability represents one of the novel’s finest achievements, illustrating how love can serve as a catalyst for personal growth without requiring one partner to sacrifice their essential self.
Lessons in Heartbreak stands as an impressive work of contemporary romance that successfully balances genre conventions with literary sophistication. Sorensen’s careful attention to character psychology, her skilled deployment of beloved romance tropes, and her creation of an engaging supporting cast combine to produce a novel that satisfies both intellectually and emotionally.
For readers seeking romance fiction that offers both escapist pleasure and genuine emotional depth, Lessons in Heartbreak provides an ideal reading experience. Sorensen has crafted a love story that feels both fantastical and attainable, creating the kind of aspirational relationship dynamic that defines the best of the romance genre. This novel comes highly recommended for both devoted romance readers and those seeking an introduction to the genre’s contemporary sophistication.
Tropes: childhood friends to lovers; opposites attract; fake relationship/engagement; forced proximity; pro hockey romance; miscommunication trope; athlete & pop star; slow burn
Two elements elevate romance novels to greatness: a hero who can tenderly braid the heroine’s hair and characters whose painful pasts prevent them from finding happiness until their love interest truly sees them. Kandi Steiner masterfully incorporates both in Save Your Breath, the fourth installment in her Kings of the Ice series, creating an emotional journey that devastated me in the best possible way.
I anticipated that Aleks Suter and Mia Love’s story would pack the most potent emotional punch in this series. While I remain a devoted “Daddy P” fan, Aleks now rivals him as my favorite Steiner book boyfriend. Unlike Daddy P’s brooding grumpiness, Aleks embodies the team’s “bad boy” persona—yet his anger-fueled actions mask the deep wounds of a man abandoned to foster care. Steiner’s character development for Aleks stands as the novel’s greatest achievement. His journey toward self-acceptance through Mia’s unconditional love brought me to tears, and Steiner makes readers work for this payoff through an exquisitely crafted slow-burn romance.
Mia serves as Aleks’s perfect counterbalance. Beyond the “good girl/bad boy” dynamic, Steiner portrays her as someone who complements and challenges Aleks. Through Mia, we witness the struggle to maintain cultural relevance while staying true to artistic integrity. Aleks becomes her biggest supporter, encouraging her to create authentic music even as they navigate their arranged engagement. This mutual admiration adds profound vulnerability to their supposedly fake relationship—they’re each other’s greatest champions, fostering a love that captivates readers.
The Tampa Bay Ospreys’ found family dynamic enhances the emotional resonance. Aleks’s gradual connections with teammates parallel his growing closeness with Mia, creating a powerful emotional compound effect when he finally accepts that he deserves love. While these interactions often inject humor into tense moments, they underscore Aleks’s deep-seated need for acceptance. His relationships with Mia’s parents and his elderly neighbor further highlight his character growth, adding emotional complexity to the story.
My one criticism lies in the miscommunication between the protagonists. While Steiner establishes their ability to see each other fully, their failure to recognize each other’s feelings sometimes lacks credibility. The narrative doesn’t sufficiently explore why these otherwise perceptive characters remain blind to their mutual attraction.
Nevertheless, this flaw doesn’t diminish the overall emotional impact of Save Your Breath. Readers should prepare for a slow burn that demands patience—Steiner doesn’t rush Aleks and Mia’s journey. The beautiful, tear-inducing conclusion justifies the wait. The Kings of the Ice series continues to deliver exceptional hockey romance, and I eagerly anticipate the next two installments.
Kandi Steiner’s next story in the exciting world of professional hockey, Save Your Breath, is available now. You absolutely do not want to miss the fireworks between Mia Love and Aleks Suter.
THIS JUST IN: HOCKEY BAD BOY AND POP STAR EXTRAORDINAIRE ENGAGED!
That was the headline we’d wanted. If only I’d known the cost to get it.
Aleksander Suter has been my best friend since high school—and the only man who’s ever been able to truly get under my skin. With his reputation for trouble and a smirk that could melt ice, he’s also the NHL’s favorite bad boy.
When my publicist’s plan to fix my image collides with his need to clean up his own, we find ourselves in a fake engagement that feels too real from the start.
Now, I’m releasing my new album, putting on a show for the paparazzi I usually try to dodge, and falling too fast for a man who never falls for anyone. Every stolen glance, every heated touch blurs the lines between us until I’m wondering where the lies end and the truth begins.
And when a hurricane traps us together in his high-rise condo, all my carefully built walls collapse, and resisting the pull between us becomes a losing game.
Suddenly, the stakes are higher than just headlines, and the risks feel more personal than ever.
But as our past resurfaces and old feelings reignite, I realize the biggest risk isn’t losing my career—it’s losing my heart to the one person I thought would never be mine.
neurodiverse heroine
Professor Romance 