A perfectly escapist rom-com.
A heartbroken video game designer who’s determined to remain single ends up at a tropical resort with a man who might be able to break her resolve.
Sloane Cooper is nursing a broken heart after having been cheated on by the man she thought was the love of her life. She tries to avoid her feelings by focusing on her career—she’s gunning for her dream job at Catapult, a top video game company. At her first interview, the all-male team seems to doubt that she can focus on work instead of her personal life, so she promises she’ll remain single and devote her life to work. That’s no big sacrifice for Sloane—until her neighbor Charlie invites her on a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos. She barely knows Charlie, but he’s desperate to win back his ex and thinks having a mysterious new girlfriend will make her jealous—especially if said mysterious girlfriend is in all the photos he posts of the trip his ex was supposed to go on with him. Sloane eventually agrees, figuring she can use some distraction-free time in paradise to work on the game design Catapult asked her to submit. What she doesn’t count on is discovering how great Charlie is—he’s supportive, funny, and sexy. But he’s on this trip to get his ex back, and Catapult is counting on her to stay single and deliver her best work. “What happens in Turks and Caicos stays in Turks and Caicos” might wind up being harder for Sloane to stick to than she thought. Tubati Alexander proves herself a master of the slow burn as Sloane and Charlie try to fight the feelings they have for each other. Their chemistry leaps off the page, and the tropical beach setting is delightfully romantic while leading to funny moments like a scavenger hunt with other resort guests. Sloane and Charlie are both well-rounded characters, and watching their relationship slowly build is incredibly fulfilling. But the story is just as much about Sloane’s personal growth, and it’s satisfying to see her fight the sexism in the gaming industry.
A perfectly escapist rom-com.Pub Date: March 19, 2024
ISBN: 9780063292949
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Harper Perennial/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.
Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.
Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781538704431
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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