A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley

Valiant cook and amateur sleuth Kat Holloway must uncover the secrets of Victorian London’s most elite noblemen to save the man she loves.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kat was ever growing bolder and she just actively inserted herself in this case. Mostly, because she was worried about Daniel, which was super endearing. I loved their interactions and they way their relationship developed. This was an interesting case with lots of different connecting threads. Kat was her usual calm logical self and Daniel kept charming the pants off everyone. He didn’t take Kat’s feelings for him for granted and he always looked so surprised when she told him that she truly cared for him. It felt like Kat’s dreams for her future became more defined. I can recommend this series if you like a slow burn historical romance with murder and mystery around every corner. It is definitely best to read these books in order.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: August 12, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Subtle
Series: Book 8 of A Below Stairs Mystery

Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop

A young detective investigating crimes of the uncanny will learn that bargains can change your fate—for good or ill—in this darkly enthralling fantasy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I quickly became engrossed in these separate but intertwined events that eventually all got some kind of resolution. There was definitely plenty of weirdness happening. The world reminded me a lot of Anne Bishop’s The Others series, but they are not connected in any way. The characters were all interesting and the world building was thorough and clear (even though the world itself was difficult to navigate). I assume there is more to come, but this book ended in such a way that you could stop here if you wanted to.

Genre: Fantasy
Published: November 11, 2025
Sensuality Rating: None
Series: Book 1 of Isle of Wyrd

Innocence Road by Laura Griffin

Detective Leanne Everhart swore she’d never go back to her hometown near Marfa, Texas—but she returns when her brother needs her, only to find a town in need too, still torn apart by a decades-old crime.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gritty is the first word that comes to mind. This story covered crimes that happen far too often with way too little effort into solving them. The attitude of the local chief seemed very on par for the area they live in and the general sentiments of the people there. Leanne came across as a hard, unsentimental person, both professionally and personally. She had to fight for every small gain in this investigation, as well as some uncomfortable truths about her father. The supporting cast of characters each played their own roles really well. The romance is happening more in the background, with the only real interaction towards the end. It’s more of a tentative beginning. I can recommend this if you like a thrilling police procedural.

Genre: Suspense, Romance
Published: November 11, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Subtle

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This missed some of the charm from the previous book, but I still had a lot of fun with it. Betty was super sweet, somewhat naive, but always endearing, even when she was working to compete with Atlas’s family farm. Atlas had way too much energy, which his friends tolerated, but a heart of gold underneath his unfiltered out-loud-thoughts. Storee’s energetic help spurred Atlas to even higher heights of drama. This book comes with a lot of over-the-top feelings and reactions, just go with it and enjoy.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 14, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Book 2 of Kringletown Christmas