Category: Contemporary

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Queer, Suspense/Thriller

Killers of a Certain Age is a mystery/thriller following 60-year old assassins and the first book in the eponymous series by Deanna Raybourn (4.25/5 stars)

Ashleah

Killers of a Certain AgeKillers of a Certain Age, #1by Deanna Raybournnarrated by Jane Oppenheimer & Christina Delaine(post may contain affiliate links) Killers of a Certain Age is a mystery/thriller following 60-year old assassins and the first book in the eponymous series by Deanna Raybourn. After working for an elite network of assassins for forty… Continue reading Killers of a Certain Age is a mystery/thriller following 60-year old assassins and the first book in the eponymous series by Deanna Raybourn (4.25/5 stars)

Adult, Asian Author, Books, Contemporary, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery, Novel

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a fun first book in a new cozy mystery series by Jesse Q. Sutanto (4/5 stars)

Ashleah

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for MurderersVera Wong, #1by Jesse Q. Sutantonarrated by Eunice Wong(post may contain affiliate links) Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a fun first book in a new cozy mystery series by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Vera is a widow who runs a tea shop that has seen better days. One day,… Continue reading Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a fun first book in a new cozy mystery series by Jesse Q. Sutanto (4/5 stars)

Adult, Black Author, Books, Contemporary, Debut Author, Disability, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Novel, Queer

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is magical realism meets historical fantasy by debut author Bob the Drag Queen (4.25/5 stars)

Ashleah

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concertby Bob the Drag Queennarrated by the author(post may contain affiliate links) Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is magical realism meets historical fantasy by debut author Bob the Drag Queen. I love magical realism, and in this book the fantasy is that several historical figures have magically and unexplainably returned from… Continue reading Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is magical realism meets historical fantasy by debut author Bob the Drag Queen (4.25/5 stars)

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Debut Author, Fiction, Neurodivergence, Novel, Queer, Romance

Let’s Call a Truce is a fun banter-filled contemporary romance from debut author Amy Buchanan (4.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

Let's Call a Truceby Amy Buchanannarrated by Charlotte North(post may contain affiliate links) Let's Call a Truce is a fun banter-filled contemporary romance from debut author Amy Buchanan. Juliana's husband passes away unexpectedly, leaving her with two young daughters and a stalled career after being a stay-at-home mom. When she starts her new job, she… Continue reading Let’s Call a Truce is a fun banter-filled contemporary romance from debut author Amy Buchanan (4.5/5 stars)

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Short Story

The Fall Risk is a charming romance short story by Abby Jimenez (4/5 stars)

Ashleah

The Fall Riskby Abby Jimenez(post may contain affiliate links) The Fall Risk is a charming romance short story by Abby Jimenez. On Valentine's weekend, two people who share a second-story apartment landing realize that construction workers mistakenly removed their stairs to the ground. Neither is actually looking for romance: Seth is a recently divorced arborist… Continue reading The Fall Risk is a charming romance short story by Abby Jimenez (4/5 stars)

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Fiction, Novel, Romance, Sports Romance

The Proposal is a contemporary romance and the first book in the Brewer Family series by Adriana Locke (3/5 stars)

Ashleah

The ProposalBrewer Family, #1by Adriana Lockenarrated by John Lane and Avery Caris(post may contain affiliate links) The Proposal is a contemporary romance and the first book in the Brewer Family series by Adriana Locke. Renn and Blakely have had chemistry for years, but never acted upon it since Renn is Blakely's older brother's best friend… Continue reading The Proposal is a contemporary romance and the first book in the Brewer Family series by Adriana Locke (3/5 stars)

Black Author, Books, Contemporary, Debut Author, Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Neurodivergence, Novel, Queer, YA

Needy Little Things is a debut YA speculative mystery by Channelle Desamours (4.5/5 stars)

Ashleah

Needy Little Thingsby Channelle Desamoursnarrated by Alaska Jackson(post may contain affiliate links) Needy Little Things a debut YA speculative mystery by Channelle Desamours. Sariyah inherited a form of premonition from her grandmother; she can hear what people need, be it a bobby pin, paper straw, or a pencil. If she doesn't listen and/or fulfil the… Continue reading Needy Little Things is a debut YA speculative mystery by Channelle Desamours (4.5/5 stars)

Books, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery, Neurodivergence, Novel

Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski is a fun mystery featuring a former Hollywood PR fixer (4.25/5 stars)

Ashleah

Where the Bones Lieby Nick Kolakowski(post may contain affiliate links) Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski is a fun mystery featuring a former Hollywood PR fixer. This was such a fun read! It took me a little bit to get into it, but then I was absolutely strapped in and enjoying the ride. There… Continue reading Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski is a fun mystery featuring a former Hollywood PR fixer (4.25/5 stars)

Books, Contemporary, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Mexican Author, Romance, YA

The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1 by Ingrid Ochoa is an adorable coming-of-age graphic novel (4/5 stars)

Ashleah

The Kiss Bet, Volume 1The Kiss Bet, #1by Ingrid Ochoa(post may contain affiliate links) The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1 by Ingrid Ochoa is an adorable coming-of-age graphic novel. It's Sara's senior year and she just turned eighteen. She wants her first kiss to be special, with someone she actually cares about. Her best friend, Patrick,… Continue reading The Kiss Bet, Vol. 1 by Ingrid Ochoa is an adorable coming-of-age graphic novel (4/5 stars)

Adult, Books, Contemporary, Debut Author, Fiction, Folklore, Mythology, Poetry, Retelling

Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola is a debut poetry collection that reimagines the eponymous Helen as a disgruntled housewife in 1990s Tennessee (4/5 stars)

Ashleah

Helen of Troy, 1993by Maria Zoccola(post may contain affiliate links) Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola is a debut poetry collection that reimagines the eponymous Helen as a disgruntled housewife in 1990s Tennessee. I did a blended read where I followed along in the physical book while listening to the audiobook, which was narrated… Continue reading Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola is a debut poetry collection that reimagines the eponymous Helen as a disgruntled housewife in 1990s Tennessee (4/5 stars)