Review: The Sweetest Silence by Skynova

About the Book

Beneath the polished exterior I present to the world, I wear a mask, a facade that shields my vulnerabilities and silent struggles. As a lawyer, I project confidence and authority, but behind that mask lies a story filled with insecurities and fear. Then a monster enters my life, this wild, dark and unpredictable force. He marks me as his prey the second we meet.

His name is Saint but he’s buried in sin. He’s everything I’ve been taught to be against. The opposition of the rightful side of the law.

He’s like a storm that disrupts my orderly world. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying, like standing at the edge of a cliff, ready to leap into the unknown. He wants to own me and peel off my mask. He’s not afraid of silence. I’m scared that I’ll like his darkness and fall for him. The only thing is my wings are broken now, so if I fall for him I might not recover.

Review

I struggled with The Sweetest Silence for a multitude of reasons. The pacing was extremely, unnecessarily fast. There were several time jumps, and the story felt like it was missing details. The story felt confusing and incomplete.

As for the romance, I never felt the chemistry between the characters. At times, it felt as if Amora was being pushed into a relationship with Saint because of how hard he pressed her. Also, I struggled to connect with the characters. All of them were deeply unlikeable, and some of the things they said felt offensive. For example, a few things that Saint said were degrading to women, and it was uncomfortable and upsetting to read. The author clearly tried to give the characters emotional depth and weight, but for me, those moments did not land as intended.

Final Thoughts

The Sweetest Silence was not an enjoyable read for me. The pacing felt rushed, which made it confusing and never really came together. Additionally, the romance was forced rather than believable. Not even the characters could save it.

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Review: Sleepless in Altan by Jamiya Taylor

About the Book

As Zora arrives in Altan for a work trip, the only thing on her mind was exactly what she was there for–work. After all of her meetings are canceled due to a family scandal, Zora is left alone in an unknown city with a return flight scheduled for four days later. At the advice of her brother, Zora decides to use her time for fun, turning work into a vacation.

Miles has been in Altan his whole life, born and raised. As a renowned photographer, it’s rare that he met out of towners that caught and kept his interest. A workaholic in his own right, his friends have urged him to live more than he’s been living because he's only getting older.

While out for coffee, Miles runs into Zora–literally–and offers to pay her back for messing up the start of her day. A chance encounter and a spilled hot beverage will carry these two strangers on a journey that exceeds forever in only four days.

Review

Sleepless in Altan was a solid read. The chemistry and connection between Zora and Miles were strong. And while Miles had a poetic way of speaking, sometimes it didn’t fully land and felt out of place. The romance was sweet, and they had many enjoyable moments. However, it leaned very insta-love to me. I also would have liked more backstory for both characters to better understand them and their connection.

Final Thoughts

While the romance in Sleepless in Altan moved a little too quickly and the characters could have had more backstory, it is still a decent novella with a sweet story and lovely writing.

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Review: Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward

Should Have Told You Sooner, is the kind of novel that’s quietly devastating and beautiful, pulling apart something deep inside you. This novel explores love, loss and the weight of time.

At the heart of this narrative is a woman at the crossroad of who she’s tried to become and who she once was. When the opportunity of lifetime takes her back to the place of the most life altering time of her life, London, she finds herself revisiting a chapter that she never closed. She finds herself confronting a truth that she buried, pulling you into the past and present of those choices that shaped her life.

The love story between Noel and Bryn, is unraveled in the most heart breaking way. What was her greatest love and deepest heartbreak, they had a young, romanticized relationship that all fell apart by their circumstances and a decision that changed the trajectory of their lives.

The dual timelines complemented the contrast of her younger self and her older self as she explores the internal conflict confronting her past. As she navigates her surroundings, it's as if she is being pulled back into her past as she tries to rewrite her future. As each chapter unravels an emotional simmer, and when the truth reveals itself in particular with her experience with Bryn, it plummets you into debilitating what if and how some things can’t be undone but understood and accepted. 

This novel is about missed moments exploring the things we say, keep from each other and the ramification of the time passed to say them.Those integral moments where had we shared the truth, it could’ve changed everything but that internal conflict dictated by internal fear or uncertainty won. What makes these characters so compelling is how they are grounded in their emotional truth. They’re imperfect. We just don’t read their story, we experience and see them. As the narrative has a strained pain, there’s an underlying compassion and grace of forgiveness that brings their journey full circle. 

This is one that you will find yourself completely immersed in. I feel the slow burning emotional arc made it a fulfilling read. My one and only issue is the end. I don’t know how I feel about it. For the emotional investment especially towards it, with that anticipated resolution leading up from the last couple of chapters, I felt the abruptness of the final reveal left me feeling a certain kind of way. Perhaps, it was meant to happen that way. Overall, this was a wonderful read, and I look forward to other books from this author.

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Review: Yes, Chef by Grace Reilly

Yes, Chef was a near-perfect read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The story centers on Poppy, a successful influencer who constantly felt that she was falling short in the eyes of her family and compared herself to her “perfect” older sister. In past relationships, she felt nothing more than a “pretty ornament”, and considered herself “too scattered, too frivolous”. She seeks validation from her followers, since it is better than waiting around for her family to take her seriously. Her relationship with her father is particularly layered. It is clear that he cares for her; however, he has never really taken the time to know and truly understand or support her.

As Poppy began working for Jack to reopen Sailfish, she underwent a truly beautiful transition. She began to recognize her strengths and grow more confident in her abilities and her sense of self. Although she had known about the existence of sailfish for such a short amount of time, she really threw herself into it and committed to making sure that it is successful. Her growth felt earned and authentic. I admired that about her, and she’s an outstanding character.

As was Jack. Abandoned as a baby and raised in the foster care system, Jack eventually found a sense of belonging and purpose with Sal and Sal’s daughter, Kiara. Sal owned a restaurant, and through his teachings, Jack fell in love with cooking. He had never felt wanted until he met Sal. However, on the eve of his adoption hearing, he ran away out of fear that he would ultimately disappoint Sal, and that Sal would discard him. That fear is one that followed him into adulthood and shaped his ability to form relationships. Jack avoided returning home and focused on his craft.  After Sal passed, he struggled with his guilt, and that ultimately impacted his work. Left with no other option, Jack returned to South Florida to reopen Sailfish. Though his initial plan was to sell it. Within the story, he is forced to confront his past and his emotions. Also, his past with Sal and Kiara. Sal was not physically present within the book; however, his impact was greatly felt. He has such a huge impact on Jack, and through stories and actions, it was clear how much of an influence he was on Jack. Kiara and Jack’s relationship was great as well. They had just a deep, sibling connection, and it was emotional seeing them reconnect and rebuild their relationship.

As for the romance, it was incredible. Absolutely loved it. It was beautifully developed, and their connection felt raw and genuine. It was built on shared experiences and mutual understanding. The tension was compelling. Chemistry is sizzling and strong. Their emotional growth was incredibly satisfying. They challenged and supported each other in equal measure. It was clear that they truly believed in one another.

I highly appreciated the culinary aspect within Yes, Chef. It seemed like Reilly took the time to study the craft and immerse cooking deeply into the plot. I believed that Jack was an actual chef and that Poppy was too by the end of the book.

There were a few aspects that I didn’t love. There were a few moments where the dialogue felt slightly out of place, and the situation with Jack’s ex didn’t fully land for me. These were minor issues in an otherwise exceptional story.

Final Thoughts:

Yes, Chef was a heartfelt, beautiful, and emotionally rich story. These themes about identity, belonging, and growth are perfectly woven into the narrative. Jack and Poppy’s journeys felt specifically authentic and deeply resonated with me. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Yes, Chef will be released on July 21, 2026.

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Review: Out of Her League by Ava Rani

Out of Her League had some high moments, but also some low ones. Isa is easily the standout of the novel, and her storyline carries much of its emotional weight. Her struggle to step out from under her father’s legacy while honoring her mother’s sacrifices adds a compelling layer of internal conflict.

Austin’s story is emotional; however, it didn’t quite land as hard at Isa’s. His best friend saved his life when he was a kid, and after losing him to cancer a few years ago, he’s trying to do everything he can to save his foundation. He also needs to decide what to do with his career, as an injury ended it. I enjoyed the choice he eventually made, and I feel it was the right choice for him.

The romance was very promising, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The fake dating and wedding elements introduce a fun and engaging dynamic, but they are surprisingly short-lived. Those moments showcase the strongest chemistry between Isa and Austin. And it was disappointing that the story didn’t linger there longer. Outside of those scenes, the romance feels like it’s missing a certain spark or tension needed to keep it consistently interesting.

Overall, while the emotional depth of the characters—particularly through family and personal struggles—stands out, the romance falls slightly flat compared to what it could have been.

Final Thoughts

Out of Her League has strong emotional moments, especially through Isa’s character and her family story, but it feels uneven overall. The romance shows promise with the fake-dating setup; however, it falls short and lacks the depth needed to stay engaging. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Hate Me Like You Mean It was released on May 12, 2026.

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Review: It Seemed Like A Good Idea by Lauren Blakely

If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with delicious chemistry and small-town charm, Lauren Blakely’s latest, the first in her Darling Springs series, It Seemed Like a Good Idea delivers all that and more. 

In this charming small-town romance, Ripley, a quiet lavender farmer, suddenly finds her peaceful life turned upside down when her movie star twin comes to town to film a major movie. The sudden attention from the paparazzi means she needs protection, and the bodyguard, Banks, assigned to protect her turns out to be the very man she almost spent one unforgettable night with. Enter tension.

At the heart of this romcom captures a typical contrast from the rom com trope of the grumpy bodyguard x the sunshine heroine. She’s sweet, trying to live a peaceful life on her farm and he is intensely guarded, struggling not to cross the line. Each accidental conflict adds another layer to their undeniable attraction.

Beneath their vulnerable moments, the story carries an inevitable truth of their temporary time together. Despite the bliss behind the lavender farm cozy backdrop, that looming expectation makes every stolen moment more intimate and endearing.

The small town setting adds another layer to its charm. The lavender farm, cozy shops and tight knot community give the romance a relaxed vibe that makes the story feel like the perfect escape. It creates a romance that’s light, charming and full of warmth. Beyond Ripley and Banks, the supporting characters bring their own flavor to the story that keeps things fun and interesting. 

Overall, this trope filled romantic escape balances humor, endearing moments and the right amount of tension. If you like small town romances and bodyguard love stories, you will find yourself swept up in this sweat and steamy swoony romance. 

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