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A (no context) peek behind the scenes of texts between the literary wives. As you can see, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism 😂

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It's April, which means new books are hitting the shelves! What's at the top of your reading list this month?

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #newreleasebooks

March was another great reading month with lots of standout reads!

What was your favorite March read? 📚

⭐️ 4.5- 🌎 4 | 📖 4 | 🖋️ 5| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5 | ❤️ 5| 🌶️ closed door | 🎧4
This book took me by surprise in the absolute best way! It was a such a thought provoking yet throughly enjoyable listen.

“Why does it feels like such a shameful thing to present emotion requires a response”

I keep coming back to this quote from the book. Being a human and navigating complex relationships is so hard. I can understand the urge to try and find an easier way to do it and avoid all the messy bits. The concept of being able to do that with AI and avoid the anxiety of having to discuss that with another human that could place their own judgments. And exploring how that plays into the building of a relationship and truly feeling like you can know someone.

I also loved the nonlinear time line and the retelling of the same story from different perspectives and how personal experiences play into how each person sees it. Thoughts and feelings that seem obvious to us are far from it for those around us.

This book also looked at the concept of how our “idea” of our parents plays into how we shape our lives and how we view ourselves.

There was just so much I loved about this book and while this review is basically just a stream of consciousness of all the reasons I loved it. I think it will resonate with lots of readers especially young millennials and Gen Z’s trying to figure out to balance life and ever evolving technology.

Thank you @netgalley and @parkrowbooks for the arc

#theliterarywives #arcread #newbookreleasealert‼️

For the first time ever… my (TIFF’s) very non-reader husband read a book with me 📚👏
Steven has a lot going for him (he literally cooks all my meals—Amy has already agreed to keep me alive if anything happens to him), so I’ve learned to accept his one flaw… he doesn’t read.

But he agreed to read Project Hail Mary with me—and plot twist—he LOVED it. 5⭐️ from the man himself.

Naturally, we immediately found a sitter and went to see the movie… which earned a very specific 8.8⭐️ 😂

Have y’all read or seen this one yet? 👀

Beneath by Ariel Sullivan ⭐️ 4.75 🌎 4.5| 📖 4.5| 🖋️4.5| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 5 | ❤️ 5 | 🌶️ 2 |

Beneath is the “prequel” to Ariel’s Sullivans first novel, Confirm. I’ll be the first to say I wasn’t initially a huge fan of Conform; at least not until the last 20% and that cliffhanger ending. But this one had me completely enthralled from the very start, and I loved every minute of it.
I can’t remember ever reading a dystopian set so close to the collapse of civilization, where the characters are still actively processing that grief and trauma while trying to build something new. That element felt especially raw and real.
Our main character, Sasha, is incredibly complex and broken. The only way she keeps going is by shutting down her emotions and avoiding real human connection. But when she’s forced to join the Force, the soldier sector of their new society, everything begins to shift. Her worst fear—caring about someone again only to lose them—starts to feel inevitable. At the same time, there’s the larger question of how the remaining human race can survive with dwindling supplies and a surface that’s still uninhabitable.
I loved the complex dynamics in this book and how each character processes grief and trauma in their own way. And for the Nesta girlies—you’re going to love Sasha.
I still have no clue how this society evolves into the one we see in Conform, but I’m officially hooked on this series and world. I can’t wait to see what Ariel Sullivan does next.

#theliterarywives #dytopianfiction #bookreview

To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast ⭐️ 4 🌎 4 | 📖 4 | 🖋️ 4 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4 | ❤️ 4 | 🌶️ 2 |

I’ve had a hard time with dystopians lately and started to think maybe the genre just wasn’t for me—but once again @allurialbooks got me with a stunning edition, and this book hooked me from the very start!

The best way I can describe it is a mix of The Prison Healer and The Hunger Games… but make it adult. It’s fairly fast-paced and kept me engaged the entire time.

Raven lives in a dystopian society where any “crime” gets you sent to Endlock; a prison where inmates are hunted for sport. It’s honestly disturbing how it’s set up like a twisted Disneyland, complete with upgrade packages for weapons and photo ops. The longest anyone has survived there is two years.

After Raven’s parents were sent there when she was 16, she was forced to become a bounty hunter to keep herself and her little brother alive. But when her brother is taken to Endlock, Raven will do anything to get him out. She strikes up a deal with the local rebel faction, if they can get her into Endlock and smuggle supplies to her, she’ll get her brother and anothet prisoner who is particularly valuable to the rebels and their cause. Ravens biggest problem? That no one has ever escaped before. She also isn’t prepared for the attachments she starts to form inside the prison; especially with one of the guards.

I devoured this book in practically one sitting. There were a few parts that felt a little gruesome for me, but honestly, I expected that given the premise. Overall, I highly recommend it and will definitely be anxiously awaiting the sequel.

#theliterarywives #bookreview #allurialbooks #dystopianfiction

The Lies that Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette
⭐️ 4.25
🌎 4.5 | 📖 4 | 🖋️ 4 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5 | ❤️ 4| 🌶️ 2
This was one of my @allurial picks for February. I knew absolutely nothing about it going in, but the book itself was absolutely gorgeous and in this case judging a book by its cover paid off.
This was such a unique fantasy that kept me guessing until the very end. There were definitely moments where I felt a little confused, but in a good way. I loved how all the different pieces slowly wove together, and you discover the truth right alongside the main characters.
The story takes place in a world where creating art summons monsters called Shades. Inana loves creating and telling stories, but she’s been taught since childhood that any form of art is a sin because it attracts these deadly creatures. Now considered a criminal and trying to pay off her debts, Inana dreams of escaping.
The only protection from the Shades comes from the Sinless, once-human immortals who cast light to repel the monsters but require human blood to survive and Shadowbane, half sinless who fight shades. All of this is controlled by “the church”. When Inana receives an offer from Dominic, a Shadowbane, she’s given a chance at freedom. If she serves as his summoner for three months, he promises her freedom and passage to another continent. But Dominic clearly has his own motives, and there’s far more to their world than the Sinless would have people believe.
If you’re a little confused after that summary, you’re not alone. This book has a lot of terminology and very unique world-building. But honestly, that’s also what made it so interesting. The author’s take on vampires through the Sinless was such a creative twist, and the symbolism surrounding the church and how institutions can use faith as a tool for power and manipulation.
Overall, for a book I originally bought purely because it was pretty, it turned out to be a really enjoyable story packed into a beautiful little package. I’ll definitely be picking up book two when it releases.

#theliterarywives #bookreview #romantasybooks #allurialbooks

No Spring Break in Pensacola is complete without a trip to one of our favorite local bookstores, @bodaciousbooksandcafe it even has treats and caffeine for the trip back to Bham

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #indiebooks

How to write a love story by Catherine Walsh
⭐️ 4.25
🌎 4| 📖 4 | 🖋️4| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5| ❤️ 4.5| 🌶️ 2| 🎧4

Looking for the perfect spring break read? This one delivers!

Ciera is still reeling from her famous father’s death while struggling to keep the estate he left her in a small coastal town in Ireland afloat. She reluctantly agrees to write the final book in his beloved series because she desperately needs the money; but she’s completely stuck. Enter Sam, her editor. He fell in love with literature through her father’s books, and no one knows that world better than he does. These two couldn’t be more different at first, but as the novel begins to take shape, so does their connection.

Set along the Irish coast during a heat wave, this book is full of “heat” both literally and figuratively. It’s a fun, engaging read that also explores fandom and the stories we fall in love with as children. I always enjoy Catherine’s witty writing and sharp banter, and this one is no exception!

#theliterarywives #bookreview #springbreaktbr #romancereads

Looking for some spring reads, we’ve got you. 🌼📚These books are all about new beginnings and finding your person

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #romancereads #springbreaktbr

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross instantly became one of our favorites. Snagging this gorgeous signed collectors edition from @littleshopofstories was a no-brainer.

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #divinerivalsrebeccaross collectorsedition

No matter what by Cara Bastone
⭐️ 4.5
🌎 4 | 📖 4 | 🖋️ 5| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5 | ❤️ 5| 🌶️ 1

“You can’t delete a chapter and get the same ending.”

I’ve read all of Cara Bastone’s books, and she has quickly become an instant-buy author for me. No Matter What is no exception.

Roz and Vin, have been married for 8 years, they use to be able to communicate without words. They just knew what the other was thinking. However, all that changed after a traumatic accident. Now a year later, they are barely speaking and Roz is worried their marriage is over. When Roz starts taking an art class, both she and Vin begin to find new ways to communicate and slowly confront the emotional fallout from the accident.
At its heart it’s a beautiful story about working through trauma with art. And how trauma can either bring a family closer together or tear them apart. As someone who works with families who have experienced trauma, I’ve seen this dynamic play out time and time again. I loved the way art was used by both characters as a tool to process their grief and rediscover how to communicate with each other.

There were definitely moments where the story felt frustrating and I wanted to grab both characters and tell them to just talk to each other. But the reality is that healing and communication after trauma is rarely that simple. If you are in the mood for a heavier read with a happy ending I cannot recommend this one enough.

#theliterarywives #bookreview #bookofthemonth #carabastoneauthor

Hi! We’re Tiff & Amy — the best friends behind The Literary Wives. Two slightly awkward, lifelong book lovers who decided to turn our reading obsession into book camps. Now we get to spend whole weekends making new friends and yapping about books📚✨

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #90sbangs #thisiswho

This story might save your life by Tiffany Crum
⭐️ 4.75
🌎 4.5| 📖 4.5 | 🖋️ 5| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 5 | ❤️ 5| 🌶️ none| 🎧5

You know that feeling when you finish a book and immediately need to talk about it with someone; that’s how I felt when I finished this one. Only I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish and no one I knew was still awake. It was one of those books where you completely lose track of time (and maybe your kids 😉) while reading.

Benny and Joy are best friends who host a popular podcast where they discuss real-life survival stories and debate how they would try to survive those situations themselves.

But when Joy and her husband suddenly go missing, secrets from their past start coming to light. Benny quickly becomes one of the police’s prime suspects, but he’s determined to piece together the clues he believes Joy intentionally left behind for him.

Told through dual POVs and dual timelines, I absolutely could not put this down. It was the perfect mix of mystery and romance for me.

I did a combination of reading and audiobook, and this is one where I’ll say the audiobook is the better experience. You get to hear snippets from the podcast, calls into the tip line, and honestly, who can say no to the GOAT of audiobook narrators, @justjuliawhelan ?

I’m dying for more people to read this so we can discuss!

#theliterarywives #TSMSYL #bookreview

In Honor of the Oscar’s tonight we are sharing our 2026 book Oscar’s ✨📖✨

What do you think of our choices? Are you watching the Oscar’s tonight?

#theliterarywives #oscarseason #bookoscars

Literary wives book club switched it up this month with a Mahjong lesson from

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle
⭐️ 3.25
🌎 4| 📖 3 | 🖋️ 3.5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 3| ❤️ 3.5| 🌶️ 1

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle was one of my most anticipated reads of the year given how much I loved her last novel, Expiration Date. So I thrilled to get an early copy of Rebecca’s next novel.

This story follows three generations of women who share a “gift”. Each of them has a silver ticket that allows them one redo but it can only be used once.

The book explores how that gift shapes the way each woman lives her life. Sylvia, the matriarch, who moves through life carefree. Marcella, who used her ticket years ago to save her husband and now lives in fear of what she won’t be able to fix, and Lauren, who at 33, struggling with fertility, starts wondering what (if anything) is worth re-doing.

I really wanted to love this one, but I didn’t connect with it the way I did with her previous book. There were aspects I loved, and others… not so much. I wasn’t prepared for how much fertility and infidelity would factor into the story. I do think both topics were handled with care and grace, but they definitely caught me off guard.
That said, I really enjoyed the setting, it felt like a love letter to Malibu. I appreciated the exploration of family dynamics, especially the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters. As well as the idea of a cost of a redo. If we take back this one “big mistake” what are we losing?

This was a super quick read (I finished it in one sitting), but the writing felt a bit disjointed at times. One thing I did appreciate was that even when the characters could redo certain parts of their lives or erase their biggest mistake, the emotional consequences still stayed with them. There’s was no true way to erase those moments.

Overall, this was a very thought-provoking read about the choices we make and the implications of a “do-over” but I’m not sure it was for me. I can absolutely see other readers enjoying it.

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for the arc

Toe to Toe by Falon Ballard
⭐️ 3.75
🌎 4| 📖 3.5| 🖋️ 3.5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4| ❤️ 4| 🌶️ 2

The best way I can describe Falon Ballard’s new book is if Center Stage and Magic Mike made a romance book baby. If you’re a millennial like me, it’s likely you watched Center Stage and if you enjoyed that movie, you’ll love this book.

Allegra’s dream is to become a principal ballerina. Her best chance is landing the lead in a new ballet, but when her director tells her she’s not “sexy” enough for the part, she’s willing to try anything. Enter Cord, a classically trained dancer who now runs an all-male dance club. Cord has a dark history with ballet and swore he’d never get close to it again, but his attraction to Allegra makes him question that boundary.

This was a fun romance read with a lot of heat and a look into some of the high demands and sexism in the dance world. While I did feel like some of the issues were resolved too easily, it was an enjoyable read. I highly recommend for romance lovers looking for a little nostalgia. Did Mandy Moore play in my head the entire time I was reading this? Absolutely

Thank you @netgalley & @putnambooks for the arc

#theliterarywives #bookreview #romancereads

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde 4⭐️
🌎4| 📖 4 | 🖋️ 3.5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4 | ❤️ 4.5 | 🌶️ 3| 🎧 5 (duet)

Windy City readers have been begging for Emmett’s (Monty’s) story for years and the wait was so worth it! I both listened to the audiobook and read the paperback for this one. The duet narration is fantastic, and I had no idea the exclusive @target edition includes character art inside—such a fun surprise!

This is a Windy City spinoff, so you see a few familiar characters but you don’t get the full cast of previous characters. This can be read as part of the series or as a standalone.

If you’ve read the earlier books, you know Monty as the “hot,” grumpy, older (mid-40s 😉) baseball coach. He’s also a devoted single dad who adopted his first wife’s kindergarten-aged daughter at 25 and stepped away from the major leagues to raise her. Now that his daughter, Miller, is grown with a family of her own, Monty is back in the majors as a successful team manager. But when the team gets a new owner—Reese—who’s determined to do things her own way, Monty isn’t so sure what his future with the organization will look like.

Reese’s dream has always been to inherit and run her granddad’s Major League Baseball team. But once she’s finally ready to take over, she quickly realizes the job is bigger than she expected. Not only does she need to get the team back in the green, she also has to shift the league’s perception as its first female owner. The last thing she needs is constant conflict with the team’s stubborn manager.

This book felt like the perfect way to wrap up the Windy City series. I loved Monty and Reese’s chemistry, and it was refreshing to have an older FMC (35) who knows exactly who she is and what she wants out of life and refuses to compromise on it.

For romance lovers, this one delivers on the tropes: enemies to lovers, one bed, age gap (10 years), forbidden romance, and plenty of banter. And it’s arriving just in time for baseball season. 😉

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #windycityseriesliztomforde #inherownleagueliztomforde

Before we talk about Liz Tomforde’s newest release and Windy City spinoff, we feel the need to recap the whole series first. This series has become one of my favorite sports romance worlds. All set in Chicago with fictional pro teams (hockey, basketball, and baseball). Each book is technically a standalone, but reading them together is way more fun because all the characters pop up throughout the series.
Series rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️½–🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book 1: 🏒 Stevie & Zander 4⭐️
Flight attendant x hockey playboy
Stevie is the team’s new flight attendant and the last thing she needs is to fall for Zander… the team’s biggest flirt.

Book 2: 🏀 Indy & Ryan 3.5 ⭐️
Fake dating x opposites attract
Heartbroken Indy needs a place to stay and ends up living with her best friend’s brother—Chicago’s shy star basketball player. When Ryan needs to prove he has a work-life balance, Indy agrees to fake date him.

Book 3: ⚾️ Kai & Miller 4.5 ⭐️
Single dad x nanny
Kai is Chicago’s star pitcher, but without a nanny he trusts he may have to retire early. Enter Miller—his coach’s daughter—who agrees to nanny for the summer and travel with the team. It’s a temporary solution for them both and falling for each other is not an option.

Book 4: ⚾️ Isaiah & Kennedy 4⭐️
Vegas marriage x longtime crush
Isaiah has been secretly obsessed with the team’s trainer Kennedy for years. When she finally becomes single, he sees his chance… but waking up married in Vegas was not part of the plan.

Book 5: 🏒 Rio & Haley 4.25⭐️
Second chance romance
Rio has been the lovable best friend since book one—the guy at all the guys’ hangouts and girls’ nights. When his first love Haley comes back to Chicago, he has to face the one relationship he never truly got over.

Have you read the Windy City series yet? And if you have… which couple is your favorite? 👀

#Theliterarywives #bookstagram #seriesreview #windycityseriesliztomforde

Lost all self control when I saw the March selections for @bookofthemonth and @allurialbooks

With half of our most anticipated March reads, a favorite Feb arc (I loved so much I had to own), plus a free add on that was a Lollie Nominee how could I not get them all.

Now the big question- what do I read first? Are you a book of the month or Allurial member? If so what were your March selections?

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #BOTM #allurial

POV: you and your bestie can’t watch the Sarah J. Maas interview together so …
Cue the unhinged texts, all caps, immediate spiraling, and zero coherent thoughts.
Swipe for our live reaction messages because apparently this is how we process major ACOTAR news now. 🦇📚✨

#theliterarywives #acotar6 #callherdaddypodcast #sarahjmass

We might be clowning… but with Sarah J. Maas going on Call Her Daddy tomorrow, we are choosing to be hopeful for an ACOTAR 6 announcement 👀✨

We’ll be watching live — just in case this is the moment.

If ACOTAR 6 is coming, what are your predictions?
Release date?
Elain’s book? Azriel’s book? Mor’s book?
Spring Court revival?
Tamlin redemption arc?

Drop all your theories below — we want to hear EVERYTHING. And join us in stories TONIGHT to hear ours and vote for your favorites!

#theliterarywives #acotar6announcement #callherdaddypodcast #sjmaas

Metal Slinger by Rachel Sneider
⭐️ 4.25
🌎 4| 📖 4.5| 🖋️4 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼4| ❤️ 4.5| 🌶️ 2| 🎧4

Holy cliffhanger! I’m fully aware I’m late to the hype on this one, and honestly I was a little worried it wouldn’t live up to it — but it absolutely delivered.

Brynn has spent her life as an orphan among the Alaha. Despite never fully fitting in, it’s all she’s known since her parents disappeared when she was a child. The Alaha have been exiled to a life at sea by the Kenta, and tensions between them run deep. But once a year, the guards are allowed to visit the market and this year it’s finally Brynn’s turn.

Of course, it doesn’t go as planned. A mysterious stranger accuses her of stealing, and she barely escapes. When the same soldier shows up again in Alaha, it doesn’t just threaten war; it threatens everything Brynn has ever believed.

This fantasy does an amazing job building an intricate world layered with romance and political intrigue. Some twists may be obvious to seasoned fantasy readers, but there were plenty that completely caught me off guard. With book two coming out in June, I highly encourage any fantasy readers who’ve been putting this off (like myself 🙃) to pick it up.

Can’t wait to discuss with @birminghambookclub next Monday!

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #bookreview #romantasybooks #metalslinger

March is finally here! Time to shake off winter. Here are the new releases we are looking forward to this month. What new release are you most excited to read? 📚

That’s a wrap on February! We had so many great reads it’s honestly hard to pick a favorite.

Dawn of a North was the third installment in its series and absolutely delivered. One and Only and The Guide to Magical Innkeeping were surprise favorites. And BK Borison knocked it out of the park as always.

What was your favorite February read? 📚✨

#februaryreads #theliterarywives #bookstagram

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
4⭐️
🌎 4 | 📖 3.75 | 🖋️ 4 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5 | ❤️ 4 | 🎧 4.5

This is the long-anticipated sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me. If you haven’t read the first one, stop now because this will contain spoilers from the first book only. Seriously; this is your warning.

The First Time I Saw Him picks up exactly where the first book ended. Owen, still on the run, shows up at Hannah’s shop and leaves a message. But why now? Over the last five years, Hannah’s main goal has been to keep Bailey safe and help her live as normal a life as possible while preparing for the day Owen’s past might come back to find them.

When Hannah learns the terms have changed and she and Bailey are no longer safe, she’s ready. But she must decide whether to put the plan she’s carefully constructed into action or trust the clues Owen has left behind to get them to safety, even after all the secrets he kept from them.

Dave does an excellent job of making you feel the maternal bond Hannah and Bailey have built, as well as the lengths a parent will go to protect their child. I enjoyed the fast pace and the added character perspectives. When I initially read the first book, I was frustrated by what felt like an abrupt ending and the lack of closure. This sequel felt more satisfying overall, though the ending still felt a bit sudden and the pacing slightly uneven for my taste.

That being said, it’s a well-written sequel I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who loves a suspenseful read with strong family ties and drama.

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #bookreview #suspensebooks

Anne of a different island by Virginia Kantra
⭐️ 3
🌎 3| 📖 3 | 🖋️ 3.5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4| ❤️ 3

Anne Gallagher has loved and adored all things Anne of Green Gables since childhood - letting “what would Anne do” guide her choices and plans. Growing up on Mackinac Island, she saw herself as her namesake: the same impulsive charm, the same wild imagination, even the same red hair (dyed, but still). She followed in Anne Shirley’s fictional footsteps, chasing dreams of teaching and writing, and falling for her very own storybook hero.

But it all comes crashing down in a series of unfortunate events - her boyfriend, who she’s been feeling more and more distant from, is moving to Atlanta. Her teaching job is in jeopardy and with the death of her father, she has no choice but to return home for a season to reset.

Back in her childhood home, working with her mom at their fudge shop, she’s forced to accept that sometimes life doesn’t go the way you think. And the last thing Anne was expecting? A newfound deep connection to Joe, her childhood crush and nemesis.

This Anne of Green Gables inspired story was a bit of a hit and miss for me. Some of the cultural commentary about covid and book banning in the education system felt a little too forced for me however the island and characters, specifically Anne and Joe, really shined and made it worth it. I would definitely recommend it to any AOGG lovers and anyone who likes a sweet contemporary romance tackling slightly heavier topics.

Big thanks @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced reader copy!

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
⭐️ 4.75
🌎 4.5 | 📖 4.75 | 🖋️ 4.5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 5 | ❤️ 5 | 🌶️ 1 | 🎧 5
If a fantasy book were the perfect cozy blanket, it would be this one. It was exactly what I needed to get through (hopefully) our last cold snap of the year.
Sera Swan is a 30-year-old helping run her quirky family inn with her great-aunt, but she was once one of the most promising young witches in Britain. That all ended when she performed an illegal spell to bring her aunt back to life and lost her magic in the process.
Now all she has is her slightly magical inn and its eclectic guests, including a knight, a talking fox, and an undead chicken. Sera cares for the guest, her aunt and her magical 11-year-old nephew all while quietly grieving the future she once imagined for herself.
That is, until a mysterious book surfaces that may hold the key to restoring Sera’s magic but she can’t translate it. When magical historian Luke and his autistic sister, Posy, check into the inn looking for a temporary place to stay, Sera quickly realizes Luke may be the only person who can help her.
This book handles heavier topics such as prejudice against immigrants and those with disabilities with so much care. From her aunt’s club foot to Posy’s autism, the representation felt thoughtful and compassionate. At its heart, this is a story about finding your place in the world and surrounding yourself with people who love you exactly as you are; while pushing back against societal norms that try to diminish anything different.
If you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, you’ll absolutely adore this one. And for my audiobook readers, the narration is fantastic. Make this your next cozy fantasy read.

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #bookreview #cozyfantasyreads

There’s something magical about an author who can build one world you love… and then do it all over again.

These are four authors who have written multiple series we’re obsessed with:
✨ Rachel Gillig�✨ Carissa Broadbent�✨ Rebecca Ross�✨ Sarah J. Maas

At this point it’s not even a question. If they write it, we’re reading it. Who are your auto-buy fantasy authors? 📚

* Also side note but if anyone can get me the fairy loot edition of A Fire Endless to match A River Enchanted I’ll be forever in your debt. I bought this one used for $25 and it’s one of my most prided possessions 🙏🏻

#theliterarywives #fantasyauthors #sarahjmass #bookstagram

And Now, Back To You by B.K. Borison
⭐️4.25
🌎4| 📖4| 🖋️5| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼4.5| ❤️4.5| 🌶️ 1

This is the follow up story to FIRST TIME CALLER, featuring Aiden’s friend and the radio meteorologist Jackson. Jackson has a bit of a work frenemy in Delilah - the meteorologist for the news station across the street. She’s goofy, doing news and weather in costumes, while Jackson is serious and studious. She’s bright and sunshiny, friends with everyone, while Jackson spends his time at his younger sisters, who he is actively raising, dance recitals. She parks her light pink VW Beetle crooked every day…and Jackson leaves a post it note on her car letting her know.

So neither are particularly excited when both their bosses propose a plan to cover the big snowstorm together, out of town. But of course, they don’t have much of a choice so it’s off to chase the storm.

There’s one bed, shenanigans, and a growing attraction that neither of them can ignore. And as they share more of themselves, and the secret challenges they each face, they find themselves falling harder and harder.
I particularly loved the way Delilah was portrayed - she’s bright and sunshiny without being a manic pixie dream girl. Her softness and whimsy is her strength - she doesn’t have to grow up, or be more mature, to be worthy of love. Jackson sees and loves each piece of her - bright pink snow pants and donut sled included.

This one comes out this Tuesday, Feb 24th and it’s an insta buy for us!

Big thanks to @netgalley, @authorbkborison , and @berkleypub for the arc

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #bookreview #romancereads #heartstringsseries

What else do I need to do to convince you to read the Ashen series?

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #romantasy #demiwinters #roadofbones

Still waiting (patiently… kind of) for any ACOTAR 6 news — it’s been over 2 years, Sarah 😭 In the meantime, here are a few fantasy series we’ve started in the last year that gave us similar vibes and helped fill the void. ✨📚

And yes we are aware we are reaching for Crescent city😉 nothing we’ve read recently fits it great so we gave you 2 options- complex world building in When the moon hatched or the futuristic dystopian society of Conform.

Give us your best fantasy recs!

#theliterarywives #acotar6 #acotarvibes #togvibes #massverse

The epicenter of forever by Mara Williams
⭐️ 4 🌎 4| 📖 3.5| 🖋️ 4| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5| ❤️ 4| 🌶️ 2| 🎧4.5

Eden spent her summers growing up in Grand Trees, a rural California town. That is, until her mom’s secret tore their family apart and fractured Eden’s relationship with her. Twenty years later, Eden is recently divorced when she learns her mom has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She’s forced to return to the town she swore she’d never go back to, hoping to convince her mom to move to San Francisco with her.

Eden knows she’ll have to face her past and figure out if there’s any way to repair her relationship with her mom… but she didn’t anticipate single dad Caleb being such a major barrier to her plan.

I really enjoyed this romance, and the audio performance was outstanding. I was honestly surprised by how much I liked this one once I realized past infidelity was a central part of the story. Usually, any book that tries to “justify” cheating is a no-go for me personally. But this story focused much more on the importance of forgiveness. It doesn’t excuse what happened or try to exonerate anyone; it simply shows how forgiveness can help the person holding onto the anger finally move forward.

I loved watching Eden rebuild her relationship with her mother, and the love story was genuinely swoony. I adored Caleb and his caretaker tendencies. Overall, I’d recommend this to any romance lover.

Thank you @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for the arc

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #bookreview #romancereads

One and only by Maurene Goo
⭐️ 4.75 🌎 4.5 | 📖 4.5| 🖋️ 4.5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 5 | ❤️ 5 | 🌶️ 1

For my February @bookofthemonth , I was in the mood for romance, so I picked One and Only by Maurene Goo.

Cassia is a single, 40-year-old Korean matchmaker. Only her family’s matchmaking business is a little… unique. Their long-kept family secret is that they can read faces and see people’s past lives, which is how they’re able to pair people with their “fated.” Hence the 100% success rate.

Cassia has known her fated is a man named Daniel for 10 years, but she’s never been able to find him. So when she meets Ellis (a man 12 years her junior), despite their intense connection after only one weekend together, she knows it can’t lead to a future. What she wasn’t expecting was to meet Ellis’s boss and discover he’s Daniel, the man she’s been waiting for all along.

This book was so much more than a romance. It explored fate versus choice, as well as how grief impacts the way we live our lives. Cassia has largely based her choices on the fact that her mother died suddenly at a young age after choosing not to be with her fated.

It’s a love triangle, but it does it so well. Neither MMC has any glaring red flags, and I found myself pulling for both of them at different points. I also loved the exploration of Korean culture; the food, the outfits, all of it. And honestly, it was just so refreshing to have a more mature FMC in a book who truly knows who she is.

I could genuinely go on about all the things I loved about this book, and I encourage any romance reader to pick it up immediately.

Never accuse us of not committing to a bit…

🎥 @samiesam12 thanks for making fun of us in public 😉

#theliterarywives #nailedit #wutheringheights #postertrend #thelifeofaliterarywife

Let’s be honest, Wuthering Heights is more of a cautionary tale than a romance but we couldn’t pass up a chance to go see it with the girls. 💘🎬
Here’s everyones totally unqualified, emotionally-invested review of “Wuthering Heights” (in one word 😉)

#theliterarywives #wutheringheightsmovie #galentines❤️ #washisgoldtoothhot?

Since we already shared our auto-buy romance authors (and we’re keeping the Valentine’s theme going 💘), we had to share 10 romance books we read this past year by new (or new-to-us) authors that we absolutely loved.

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #romancereads

Better than the Movies + Nothing like the Movies by Lynn Painter
4⭐️-🌎 4 | 📖 4.5 | 🖋️ 4| 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 5 | ❤️ 4

I knew I needed a sweet, light romance of late and a rom-com about rom-coms was just what I needed. These 2 books are YA so no spice here but a lovely escape all the same.

This duology features Liz and Wes - neighbors who feud over street parking, complete opposites, and unlikely partners as Liz tries to get noticed by her long-time crush and newfound friend of Wes. Full of rom-com quotes and excellent music references, they fall in love the way you fall asleep. 😉

Book 2 picks up 2 years later while they are in college, after a break up. Wes, rejoining UCLA as a 20 year old freshman on the baseball team and Liz now trying to make her big break as part of a sports documentary. I don’t normally love a “broke up to get back together” plot but this was handled really well with circumstances that make sense. Plus, with the characters aging, life gets a little harder for them too.

These books? They’re just cute. Kick your feet and giggle cute. Cute in a way that makes you think young love really could make it. Definitely recommend it if you need a sweet escape! A perfect Valentines’ read 💕📖

It’s Valentine’s week, so we’re kicking things off with our go-to romance authors. 💘📚
If they write it, we’re reading it—no questions asked.
Who are your ride-or-die romance authors? 👀✨

#theliterarywives #instabuyauthor #romancebooks

You Between The Lines by Katie Naymon
⭐️3
🌎3 | 📖3 | 🖋️4| 👫 3.5| ❤️3| 🌶️1

Ever wondered what an actual MFA program is like? What if it’s with your high school crush/nemesis? While you’re in the middle of a quarter-life crisis?

You Between The Lines follows Leigh, a former sorority girl in her first year in a prestigious MFA poetry program. She’s shocked when her high school writing nemesis, Will, walks into the welcome party and reveals he is also a student in the same program.

What is most interesting about this book is the way poetry and narrative fiction are blended together. Because poetry is how both Will and Leigh process and share their feelings, there’s a fair amount of it within the book itself. It was a unique perspective and way to move the plot forward.

Tackling themes of insecurity, vulnerability, the creative process, difficult family situations, and how much you’re willing to risk to go after what you really want, the book landed really well on some of these themes and felt slightly lost in others. Regardless, I can’t stop thinking about this quote -

“So I’m just supposed to do this forever?”
“Fall and get back up? Yeah, I think so. What other choice do we have, you know?
A low, rumbling ugh escapes my mouth. “I was hoping I was special.” It’s facetious, of course, but sometimes my subconscious desperately wants to be the exception.
Erica laughs. “You’re not. I’m not either. And isn’t that the most comforting thing in the world?”

If you’ve read this one, let us know what you thought!

#theliterarywives #bookreview #romancebooks

One of my favorite things ever is playing book matchmaker 💕📖

So when we made our January Book Camp a Read What You Want camp, I had to do a little matchmaking moment.

Reader requests:
1️⃣ Fun, romantic, a little whimsical
2️⃣ Fiction with some drama
3️⃣ Funny romance + spice
4️⃣ Slow burn romance, but something different (Ali fan who’s only read the romcoms!)
5️⃣ Romance that feels like a vacation
6️⃣ Romance with more depth + light spice
And yes… I took this job very seriously 😌📚✨

Should we do some book match making on insta for Valentine’s? 💕

#theliterarywives #bookstagram #bookmatchmaker

Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm ⭐️ 4 🌎 4 | 📖 4 | 🖋️ 3.75 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 4.5 | ❤️ 4.5 | 🌶️ 2
I needed something to help with my Ali Hazelwood drought, and I always love a smart FMC in STEM. This amazing debut fits that bill perfectly.
We meet Dr. Frances Silberstein, a neuroscientist who hasn’t quite made it to where she wants to be in her career. Her best shot at securing a position with research funding is a summer conference—but it’s run by her ex, who seems to have achieved all the success Frances is still chasing. To make matters worse, her academic nemesis, Dr. Lewis North, is also there. When their arguing gets mistaken for flirting and Frances doesn’t correct her ex’s new fiancée, a fake-dating scenario ensues.
I really enjoyed these quirky, perfectly nerdy characters. I did find Frances frustrating at times, but I appreciated that she prioritized her goals. My one critique is that the story felt a little long in places, and some smaller plot points felt unnecessary or repetitive. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to romance lovers who enjoy a STEM romance.

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks

#theliterarywives #stemromancebooks #bookreview

Dawn of the North by Demi Winters
(Book 3 in The Ashen Series)
5⭐️-🌎 5 | 📖 4.75 | 🖋️ 5 | 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼 5 | ❤️ 5 | 🌶️ 2

This is technically the fourth installment in the Ashen series (if you count the novella), and it just keeps getting better and better. I honestly don’t know why more people aren’t talking about this series. I went in thinking this would be a slower third book—especially since this is supposed to be a five-book series (not counting the novella)—and that it wouldn’t move the plot as much as I wanted… but wow, was I wrong.

It’s hard to give a proper plot review for a middle book in a series, so you’re just going to have to trust me again. Or if you are caught up skip to the comments.

Told through multiple POVs, we get to watch Saga’s and Silla’s stories unfold in such surprising and satisfying ways. The twists and turns? So good. And Hekla’s arc—I loved her progression from the very beginning. Who doesn’t want three badass FMCs, each trying to figure out their place as the world they know continues to shift? Not to mention three different romances with tropes ranging from second chance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn, and even a dash of a love triangle.
Did I roll my eyes every time a Jonas chapter popped up and have to suppress the urge to skip them? Absolutely. But I can admit they serve a purpose.

I genuinely can’t talk about this series enough and will be recommending it to everyone I know. I cannot wait to see where it all goes next!

Thank you @netgalley and @delacortepress for the arc

Still dreaming of my favorite place, with my favorite people.

January book camp was an absolute dream! We still have spots in our April book camp! Deadline is Feb 9th!
Check out the link in our bio

#theliterarywives #bookretreat #bookcamp #bookpeoplearethebestpeople

What are you reading in February?

#theliterarywives #newbookrelease

January, What a MONTH.
We leaned hard into the art of escapism at times to keep our mental health intact (anyone else?) and thankfully read some truly amazing books along the way.
What was your favorite January read?

#january2026reads #theliterarywives #booksofthemonth #monthlyrecap

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