“And just like that, the enemy of my enemy was my new teammate.”
Genre: Romance Actual Rating: 5+ stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emojis Content Warnings: Touches on tough topics like abusive parents and coaches, mentions intentional and secret drugging, and verbal and sexual abuse. Mentions disordered eating due to training. Contains explicit sexual content.
“Clean Point” follows Scottie Sinclair, as she teams up with her father’s (and ex-coach’s) rival, Nico Kotas, to play doubles. Scottie is just coming back from a two-year ban from playing tennis due to a doping scandal, while Nico is coming back from an injury—either way, both of them have something to prove. What neither had expected was that, through this agreement, they’d be finding their match on and off the court.
How can this be my favorite book of 2025 when this year’s barely even started? But oh well, it is. Told in a consistently dynamic pace, “Clean Point” had me absolutely hooked. I could NOT get enough of Scottie and Nico. Their banter, their competitiveness, their flirtiness? I was done for. And then their personal developments? Both as individuals and as a team? This sports romance had it all, I swear.
If you’re a fan of sports romances or perhaps are looking to dabble into one that isn’t filled with technicisms, then “Clean Point” is for you. Beyond that tho, if you’re just looking for a romance book that ALSO HAS A PLOT *gasps*, then “Clean Point” is what you’re looking for, search no further.
Genre: Romance Actual Rating: 5+ stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emojis Content Warnings: Touches on tough topics like losing a partner, parent abandonment, and mental health struggles. Contains sooo much explicit sexual content.
“Let’s Call a Truce” follows Juliana Ryan, who is rebuilding her life after unexpectedly losing her husband while juggling work, motherhood, and a bitter feud with her arrogant but undeniably charming colleague, Ben Thomas. What starts as mutual disdain softens when they are forced to collaborate on a high-stakes project, sparking an unexpected connection. As their professional rivalry transforms into a passionate romance, Juliana must decide if she’s willing to risk her heart again—especially when Ben’s past jeopardizes their fragile happiness.
2025 is starting strong with this one. A spicy and twisty enemies-to-lovers is exactly what I needed this January. Ben Thomas is the new universal book boyfriend, of that I’m sure. Juliana Ryan is relatable and quick on her feet. There were so many turns in this read that I truly didn’t expect, but absolutely loved (and loved to hate). And let’s not even talk about how spicy it is, I’m blushing after just thinking about it.
If you’re a fan of Sally Thorne’s “The Hating Game”, then this work-place, enemies-to-lovers romance has been literally written for you. “Let’s Call a Truce” will be my new go-to romance recommendation.
“I’ve known Jude my entire life. He lived on the same block as us growing up, and he and Collin were best friends from the jump. But he and I have always been, like, these fundamental opposites. Even as a kid he was serious; had a certain sharpness about him. And I was nothing but soft spots. (…) And he and I fought all the time. And it was always about the silliest stuff. A snarky comment, a mean look, breathing too loud . . . I could always get under his skin, and I kind of loved it. It meant he saw me.”
Genre: Romance Actual Rating: 5 stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emoji Content Warnings: Describes and discusses panic attacks, medical trauma, and war and PTSD. Contains explicit sexual content.
“The Plus One” follows Indira Papadakis and Jude Bailey, two childhood frenemies that are forced to walk down the aisle—not of their own wedding, but of Collin Papadakis’s, Indira’s brother and Jude’s best friend. Not only that, but they’re actually all living together for the few weeks before the wedding, for various reasons. Will they be able to coexist around each other? Or will their bickering ruin the party, perhaps even before it starts?
Jude was so haunted by his experiences as an emergency doctor that it killed me, Indira was so set on dealing with her emotional baggage that it inspired me. When I thought Mazey Eddings couldn’t make me fall in love any harder for a set of characters, she gave me “The Plus One.”
These novels all technically work as standalone romances, yet they’re part of a series because they take place in the same world, revolving around a mismatched group of (rather lovable) friends. Indira was never a friend of the group that stood out to me—Lizzie was my fave from book one. But gosh, Indira had my heart on her sleeve about 20 pages in.
Enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite trope, but this was carried out so perfectly I am reconsidering my biases. This was a 5-star read all-around. No beating around the bush with that.
“The Plus One” will be one of my most recommended romance read of 2023, so grab it. No need to hesitate. You’ll love this one, even if you haven’t read the other books in this series. Even if, like me, enemies to lovers isn’t your favorite set up.
“I know I can be too much, but I think I’m just enough for you.”
Genre: Romance Actual Rating: 5 stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emojis Content Warnings: Describes beings uncomfortable with one’s sexual experiences. Contains explicit sexual content.
“Mixed Signals” follows Layla Dupree, owner of one of the most prominent town bakeries and one of the co-owners of Lovelight Farms, as she fake dates one of her frequent customers, Caleb Alvarez. Layla is lowkey giving up on love but Caleb talks her into a low-risk arrangement: no strings attached dating for a month so 1) he can convince her that not all men suck and 2) so she can help him polish his dating skills, as women tend to not want more than one or two dates with him. What could go wrong, right? Not much. Unless one or both of them end up inadvertent falling for the other, that is.
No two characters had ever given off such strong chemistry ever. I was completely won over by their banter and how they slowly became more comfortable around each other—oh, and Caleb’s delicate way to address and comfort Layla’s insecurities. They took their sweeeeet time.
I was honestly impressed with the way Layla’s and Caleb’s sexual intimacy was addressed. It was such a unique take on a reality that isn’t frequently displayed: sexual dysfunctions and insecurities—oh, and a string of ex partners that were selfish to a T, but that’s another topic all together.
If I could only recommend one of the books in this series, “Mixed Signals” would be it. It’s sweet and lighthearted and the characters were as lovable as they get. Layla and Caleb will win your heart, I am sure of it.
“Falling in love with Nathan Hawkins was not something I could have planned. No planner, iPad, or freaking sticker chart could have prepared me for my future. My imagination isn’t capable of dreaming up this level of happiness.”
Genre: Romance Actual Rating: 5 stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emoji Content Warnings: Describes eating disorders, emotional abuse, body shaming, toxic friendship, gaslighting, death of parent, and bullying centered on being adopted. Contains a lot of explicit sexual content.
“Icebreaker” follows Anastasia (Stassie) Allen, a figure skater aspiring to make it to the Olympics, and Nathan Hawkins, the hockey team captain of the university Stassie attends. Considering the University of California, Maple Hills (UCMH) has two ice rinks, they never really crossed paths until a series of unfortunate events leads to one of the rinks being out of service for the near future and so the hockey and ice skating teams now have to share a single rink. Their attraction is undeniable from the start, but so is their hesitation towards commitment. I mean, in the end they both have the same goals: going pro in their field. Nobody’s got time for relationships, right?
Well, this review can be summarized with one sentence: This book is definitely worth the hype. You’ve probably seen “Icebreaker” all over social media and I’m just here to say that this should be your next read if you’re looking for a steamy romance. You won’t regret it.
No, you don’t need to know anything about hockey or figure skating to appreciate this book. But will you still be rooting for Nathan and Stassie all throughout? Absolutely yes.
Something else I loved about this book is that it had various arcs. Usually shorter books tend to have one conflict and one solution and that’s it, but “Icebreaker” had various conflict come up and although it was heavy on the plot, it was also very cemented on character development.
Thank you so much to Ash from @beyondthebookcase on instagram for letting me join her buddy read, it was so so fun.
“I don’t think I’m as amazing as you think I am. (…) But thank you anyway, for thinking it.” “You’re right. (…) What you are is even better than that.”
Genre: Romance (advertised as LGBTQIA+ as well, but I did not see it tbh) Actual Rating: 5 stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emojis Content Warnings: Discussed unhealthy relationships, abandonment, chronic illness in a parent, and child neglect. Contains explicit sexual content.
“Back in a Spell” is the third installment in the The Witches of Thistle Grove series, and it follows Nina Blackmoore, of the Blackmoores that used to essentially own Thistle Grove and all its magic for decades, as she goes for a one night stand after being pretty much left at the altar by her ex. What she did not expect was that she’d end up being magically bonded to said one night stand, Morty Gutierrez, a normie who lowkeyloki hates the Blackmoores because they keep trying to buy off his family’s business.
Well, this was the first Lana Harper book that’s made me cry, I’ll give it that. Like literally sob. That’s how much and how deeply I connected with the main characters, Nina and Morty.
But there is one thing I need to disclose pretty early on—Morty is described on the summary of the book as nonbinary, but it isn’t really addressed much throughout the advanced reader copy of the book. Perhaps that changed in the final copy, but I still felt like it was something that I had to bring up. Tho, the fact that his nonbinary expression was overlooked didn’t quite stop me from loving this book.
“Back in a Spell” has been my favorite The Witches of Thistle Grove book so far and that really caught me by surprise because I hated no founding family more than I hated the Blackmoores, I swear. Yet Nina truly stole my heart. And then bring in Morty, a normie we already learned to love in the other books, and I fell in love with his humor and true admiration for all things magic. I think their match was meant to be, beyond them being bonded by a goddess.
I would highly recommend this series as a whole, but I would like to remind everyone that these books, although part of a series, still work pretty well as standalones. Lana Harper makes sure to give you the context and background in every single story she’s told, and it’s been truly awe-inspiring. I really wish I could live in Thistle Grove, even if I fell under the glamour that makes all magic seem normal for us normies.
If you’re a fan of close proximity romance, aren’t afraid of things getting too explicit, and you enjoy books with monumental personal growth and character development, then “Back in a Spell” is for you.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
And finally, Lana Harper isn’t a new found love for me—she’s been one of my favorite authors ever since I grabbed her books for the first time. So, here are some excerpts from my reviews of the books in this series, just so you can get a sense about how wonderful The Witches of Thistle Grove series is:
About “Payback’s a Witch” “I was essentially in a reading slump and this book is entirely responsible for me getting out of it.” “I would recommend this book to any readers who enjoy LGBTQIA+ romances, witchy books, and who like series like Riverdale and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This book is fast-paced and dynamic, you’ll definitely finish it in one sitting if you have the time.”
About “From Bad to Cursed” “Thistle Grove is such a cozy, warm setting. I personally wouldn’t mind living there—or reading 10 more stories set in it either.” “Sadly, “From Bad to Cursed” does not have the LGBTQIA+ aspect that the previous book had going for it, but I must say the romance aspect of this second installment is still heartwarming and fun.” “I would recommend this book to fans of the close-proximity troupe and for all who enjoyed the character dynamics and setting of the first book in this series: “Payback’s a Witch”.”
Genre: Historical Romance Actual Rating: 5 stars Spicy Meter: 5 fire emojis Content Warnings: Discusses spouse and parent death.
“When He Was Wicked” is the sixth book in the Bridgerton series, and it follows Francesca Bridgerton, the sixth of eight Bridgerton siblings, as she is widowed extremely young. It also follows Michael Stirling, Francesca’s husband’s cousin, who is set to inherit her husband’s title after his untimely death. But Michael wanted anything but this. He loved Francesca in secret and he never wished for the title, but what if now he must have both?
I think this will be the winning underdog of the Bridgerton series. I haven’t bonded with Francesca, not through the books nor through the Netflix series. I was completely impartial to her, as I am to the other two younger siblings. But oh how I loved this book and the complex feelings it brought on. It felt like a forbidden romance even though it wasn’t. It felt like friends to lovers even though that felt wrong too.
Francesca is lovely and Michael is as wicked as the title suggests. I think this was my favorite Bridgerton book where spice is concerned. But it also broke me to see the player get played. Players are entitled to have true feelings, you know? And then there was Michael, being broken down time and time again, until he finally allowed himself to be happy.
I would recommend this book to lovers of the friends to lovers and widowed tropes. Naturally, if you’re a fan of the Regency Era, you’ll enjoy this too, but I feel like this story was a bit more timeless than the rest. I would highly recommend resorting to “When He Was Wicked” if you’re looking for a spicy read where the woman in the relationship takes a bit more initiative (given the context).
“Why? It’s because I love you, damn me to hell. Because I’ve always loved you. Because I loved you when you were with John, and I loved you when I was in India, and God only knows I don’t deserve you, but I love you, anyway. (…) How’s that for a witty little joke? (…) I love you. I love you, my cousin’s wife. I love you, the one woman I can never have. I love you, Francesca Bridgerton Stirling.”
Genre: Fantasy, Romance Actually Rating: 5 stars Spicy meter: 5+ fire emojis Content Warning: (Very) Graphic violence and explicit sexual content.
“A Court of Silver Flames” is currently the last published book in the ACOTAR series, and it follows Nesta Archeron, Feyre’s eldest sister, as she comes to peace with all she’s had to face and all the power that flows through her veins. So in comes the great Illyrian warrior, Cassian, to help her along, in more than one way.
Oh God, I had forgotten you could love fictional characters this much. I am not ready to let this story go. I drew it on, reading this book in bits and pieces, just so I could keep going back to the comfort that were Nesta and Cassian, and Gwyn and Emerie and every single character in this world. SARAH J. MAAS NEEDS TO STOP PUBLISHING OTHER BOOKS AND COME BACK FOR ACOTAR #5 ASAP. Words can’t describe how much I need this.
And I mean, ACOTAR books have all had their fair share of spicy, romantic content…. but oh did Nesta and Cass take the cake. And all the fighting, and history, and alliances, and betrayals. This book could’ve been dragged on to a series of its own–and I kind of wish it had been.
If you like fantasy books with strong character development, then this is the book for you. Out of all the ACOTAR books, I feel like this one represented unconditional friendship the best. If you haven’t started on this fantasy series: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
“You do not fear. You do not falter. You do not yield. You go in, you get her, and you come out again.”
Genre: Fantasy, Romance Actually Rating: 5 stars Spicy meter: 5 fire emojis Content Warning: (Very) Graphic violence and explicit sexual content.
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” is the third book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. This book follows Feyre, a mortal-human-turned-immortal-high-fae, as the war against Hybern begins. Feyre joins the Spring Court as a Night Court spy, riddled with anxiety as she doesn’t know if her sisters or her friends at the Night Court are safe. After two Hybern royals try to kill her and Lucien, they run away to the Night Court, now becoming more or less fugitives, and this will only be the start of so many adventures and challenges to come.
First of all, do y’all think Sarah J. Maas planned the abbreviation of this novel? You know how we’ve been shortening the titles–ACOTAR, ACOMAF, etc…– well, this book’s abbreviation is ACOWAR, and it’s pretty much all about a war… so there’s that.
I really enjoyed this book. Probably more than the others. Some aspects of it were very predictable, but others really weren’t. I am actually surprised I liked it as much as I did because I usually find war books to be very boring, but Maas found a way to always keep you on your toes. I loved all the alliances made in this book. I loved how Tamlin was shown as a complex character, not just a pure evil enemy. This is a very stressful read, I cried in 3 different parts, but it was so worth it.
I couldn’t recommend this series enough. Definitely grab this book and series if you enjoy fantasy books, and love magic combat, detailed world-building, and magical war books.
andrea's galley 