catpow3r's books read in 2023 in romance
Displaying 7 books

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date is a witty and heartfelt new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake. Iris Kelly, a romance author, is surrounded by love in every corner of her life, yet she prefers to stick to her commitment-free lifestyle, despite the pressure to settle down. But as she faces a looming deadline for her second book, Iris finds herself completely out of inspiration.

One night, Iris's visit to a Portland bar leads her to Stefania, a sexy stranger with whom she shares a night of passion, only for it to turn into a disaster. The plot thickens when Iris auditions for a local play and encounters Stefania again, who is actually named Stevie. In a twist of fate, Stevie convinces Iris to pose as her girlfriend, sparking an arrangement that could provide the perfect fodder for Iris's book.

As they act out their fake relationship, Iris and Stevie find themselves in a blur of emotions, questioning the authenticity of their connection and who will dare to make the first real move.

Promises Stronger Than Darkness

Promises Stronger Than Darkness marks the final installment of the international bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders's absolutely heart-stopping YA series, Unstoppable. They're the galaxy's most wanted—and our only hope.

When Elza became a space princess, she thought she'd be spending her time at the palace, wearing gorgeous couture and soaking up everything there is to know—but instead, she's on the run, with everyone hunting for her and her friends.

Rachael followed her best friend Tina on the adventure of a lifetime—but now Tina's gone, and Rachael's the only one keeping her friends together, as they go on a desperate quest to save everyone from an ancient curse.

Rachael, Elza, and their friends have found one clue, one shining mysterious chance to stop the end of the world. And that takes them back to the second-to-last place they'd want to be: enlisting the aid of Captain Thaoh Argentian, the woman who stole Tina's body (and who now seems to be relishing a second chance at teenage chaos and drama, instead of living up to her legacy as an intrepid heroic commander).

With only a ragtag band of misfits, crewmates, earthlings, friends, lovers (and one annoying frenemy), the Unstoppable Crew are up against the universe—and they soon find that in order to survive, they may have to cross a line they vowed never to cross.

The Red Scholar's Wake

When tech scavenger Xích Si is captured and imprisoned by the infamous pirates of the Red Banner, she expects to be tortured or killed. Instead, their leader, Rice Fish, makes Xích Si an utterly incredible proposition: an offer of marriage. Both have their reasons for this arrangement: Xích Si needs protection; Rice Fish, a sentient spaceship, needs a technical expert to investigate the death of her first wife, the Red Scholar. That’s all there is to it.

But as the interstellar war against piracy rages on and their own investigation reaches a dire conclusion, the two of them discover that their arrangement has evolved into something much less business-focused and more personal...and tender. And maybe the best thing that’s ever happened to either of them—but only if they can find a way to survive together.

A rich space opera and an intensely soft romance, from an exceptional SF author.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail is a romantic comedy that follows the story of an interior designer who is learning to navigate her love life without a perfect plan. For Astrid Parker, failure is not an option. After ending her engagement a year prior, she has thrown herself into her career, a move her friends consider obsessive, but she views as driven.

When Astrid is selected to be the designer for the renovation of the Everwood Inn, set to be featured on the popular HGTV show, Innside America, she sees it as an opportunity to focus on something other than her personal life and perhaps even earn her mother's elusive approval. However, she didn't account for Jordan Everwood, the lead carpenter and granddaughter of the inn's owner, who is fiercely protective of her family's history and not a fan of Astrid's modern design ideas.

Their professional tension takes a turn when it's suggested they exaggerate their disagreements for the show, leading to an unexpected evolution of their relationship. Faced with new feelings and challenges, Astrid must decide what success really means to her and whether she will follow the expected path or the one she truly desires.

Delilah Green Doesn't Care

Delilah Green Doesn't Care is a clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love—with all its complications. Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it's a different woman every night, but that's just fine with her.

When Delilah's estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid's stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there's some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.

Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they've known each other for years, they don't really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they're forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn't sure she has the strength to resist Delilah's charms. Even worse, she's starting to think she doesn't want to.

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry

2021

by C.M. Waggoner

Dellaria Wells - petty con artist, occasional thief, and partly educated fire witch - is behind on her rent. To make ends meet, Delly talks her way into a guard job in the city of Leiscourt, joining a team of unconventional women to protect an aristocrat from unseen assassins. It looks like easy money and a chance to romance her confident companion Winn - but when did anything in Delly's life go to plan?

With the help of a necromancer, a shapeshifting schoolgirl and a reanimated mouse named Buttons, Delly and Winn find themselves facing an adversary who wields a twisted magic and has friends in the highest of places.

Saga

After the traumatic events of the War for Phang, Hazel, her parents, and their surviving companions embark on a life-changing adventure at the westernmost edge of the universe. Collects: Saga #43-48.

Plus, two standalone tales reveal the fates of fan-favorite characters The Will and Ghüs.

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