[SPOILER-FREE REVIEW!]

First off, I liked the premise of this book. The fake dating trope is one I usually enjoy, and this book started off really strong. The banter between the characters was great, and the main character's backstory/history was relatable. However, there wasn't much of a plot other than the two characters fake-dating. The one minor subplot was overly predictable, and the ending felt very cliche. It's a shame because I really wanted to like this book (and even finished the first half of it within just a couple of days), but the middle to end of it really dragged on and on. I'm rating it 3 stars because it's a cute holiday read and I did enjoy the author's writing style but, because the story as a whole lacks depth, it's not one I would recommend.

5 Mind-Blowing Facts Every Romance Lover Should Know

We spend hours tucked away with our favorite fictional couples, but sometimes the stories behind the books are just as wild as the plots inside them. Whether you’re a fan of dark billionaires, Regency balls, or modern-day meet-cutes, these five facts will change the way you look at your bookshelf.

1. The Global Sensation That Started as Fan-Fiction

It’s the fun fact that launched a thousand debates: Fifty Shades of Grey was originally Twilight fan-fiction. Before it was a record-breaking trilogy, author E.L. James posted it on fan sites under the title Master of the Universe. Christian Grey was originally Edward Cullen, and Anastasia Steele was Bella Swan. After the story went viral, the names were changed, the vampire elements were removed, and a publishing phenomenon was born.

2. Pride and Prejudice’s "Boring" Original Title

Could you imagine swooning over Mr. Darcy in a book called First Impressions? That was Jane Austen’s original title for her masterpiece. While it fits the theme of the book perfectly, her publisher eventually went with Pride and Prejudice to follow the trend of alliterative titles popular at the time. Personally, we think the P&P we know and love has a much better ring to it!

3. The 18th-Century Fandom

If you think bookish merch is a modern invention, think again. In 1740, a novel called Pamela by Samuel Richardson became the first true romance bestseller. It was so popular that it created the world’s first literary fandom. Fans didn't just buy the book; they bought Pamela themed fans, paintings, and even teacups. People were literally obsessed with the shipping of the 1700s!

4. The Unstoppable Queen of Romance

Have you ever felt guilty about your to-be-read pile? Just think of Nora Roberts. As one of the most prolific romance authors in history, she has written over 225 novels. To put that in perspective, she has been publishing an average of five books a year since 1981. Whether she’s writing under her own name or her gritty alter-ego, J.D. Robb, she is proof that the romance genre is a powerhouse of productivity.

5. The "No" That Turned into a "Yes"

Finally, a bit of inspiration for the writers out there. Even the biggest books face rejection. Did you know that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which has one of the most iconic sub-plot romances in later books, was rejected by 12 different publishers? One editor even told J.K. Rowling, "Don't quit your day job." It’s a great reminder that even the stories that define generations almost never saw the light of day.

Which fact surprised you the most?

Are you a fan of the Twilight to Fifty Shades pipeline, or are you more shocked by the 18th-century fandom craze? Drop a comment below and let’s chat!

[SPOILER FREE REVIEW!]

My first read of 2026 just so happens to be my first 5-star read of the year! I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book and I honestly wish I had read it sooner. It gave me major Throne of Glass vibes (which is rare to find), and the rivals-to-friends-to-lovers aspect kept me hooked. Watching their journey unfold kept me emotionally invested the entire time. The plot was full of twists and turns, with just the right balance of tension and depth.

I love horror. It's able to feature all sorts of genres and subgenres within its pages. With Valentine's Day coming up next week, I wanted to feature a few horror books with romance as part of the main plot or a sub plot.

Spit Back The Bones by Teagan Olivia King

This haunting Debut features a woman who reluctantly returns back home after her sister goes missing. There she rekindles an old flame, along with fighting a bog monster.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas

A tale of star crossed lovers who get trapped fighting vampires in the Mexican-American War. Pretty much any of Canas' works would fit into Horror Romance. (The Hacienda and The Possession of Alba Diaz)

The Haar by David Sodergren

For all you monster romance lovers out there this one is for you. It follows an old woman who lost her husband years ago. Now the small village she's lived in whole life is being threatened by a rich man buying out the land. And in walks a fish-like, shapeshifting monster...

Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison

Werewolf horror with humor and a splash of romance! This one will have you howling.

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson

A "meat" cute at a farmer's market turns into sapphic love...or does it...

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

This one follows the brides of dracula as they move past their toxic relationship with him and turn what was once jealousy into a passionate romance.

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno Garcia

Mexcican Gothic by this author works in this category as well! Silver Nitrate involves cursed media and lifelong friends who have feelings for one another.

Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose

This romance is TOXIC, but super addicting. It's a cat and mouse novel involving a forensic photographer and s serial killer.

Dead Silence by SA Barnes

Think Alien meets Ghost Ship with a splash of romance! A crew finds a lost intergalactic cruise ship that's been missing for two decades. They decide to board the ship and fly it back, wanting to win fame and fortune... But theres a reason the ship has been missing...

Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

A found footage esq novel involving killer sirens and a dash of some sapphic romance.

What horror book that features a bit of romance do you love?

Early copies of What Feeds Below are out and PEOPLE ARE READING IT!

We asked our favorite Mother, Sadie Hartmann (just kidding, Mom, if you're reading this), to blurb and she's already shared to Goodreads (go follow her and give this review a like).

Advanced reading copy entrusted to me for blurb consideration from Boozhoo Books, a Bindery imprint from acquisitions editor, Naomi (fromthemixedup desk) who is committed and dedicated to 'uplifting Indigenous voices and making space for Indigenous books on shelves'. This aligns with my goals to center horror books by women in underrepresented communities. I read, The Mean Ones by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne and fell in love with her storytelling style and imagination, so I leapt at the opportunity to be a first-reader of What Feeds Below

I don’t know how to take my entire reading experience and all of my notes and feelings about this book and what makes it so great and try to boil it down to a few sentences. Somehow, someWAY, she understands modern horror readers, and more specifically, her own niche audience and delivers EXACTLY what we want.
Like a Horror-Fantasy Alchemist, Tatiana Schlote-Bonne pulled in my adolescent obsession with high fantasy and elaborate world-building and blended it with my hyper-fixations with
-Sporror (fungus-horror)
-Descent horror
-Body horror
-Anime-style quest narratives
-Intricately plotted, character-driven, horror with heart
-Elaborate, vivid, atmospheric eco-centered setting where the location is a standalone character
-Two MC protagonists who are best friends, opposites, and have an intense, relational dynamic with a strong gravitational pull on the reader--I could not STOP reading! I love how the author gave Jade and Petra unique voices and played them against each other but stayed mindful of the ways in which they fight for each other
My mind is honestly blown. Tatiana Schlote-Bonne writes specifically for me, I am her target audience. She serves impossibly high-stakes (big risks with the promise of emotional devastation), fully developed, unique characters to fall in love with (total upfront investment) and an intricately plotted story where she taps some hyper-specific niche obsession. I don't know how she does it.

Official blurb:

"Tatiana Schlote-Bonne is a horror genre alchemist, a mixologist able to blend together niche sub-genres and cultural hyper-fixations to create wildly satisfying stories that hit on so many levels. What Feeds Below is horror-fantasy hybrid centering an opposites attract friend dynamic, plunges them into an anime-style quest drama set in a horror landscape with high-fantasy elements. This is addictive brain-candy. I could live in this book."

We are absolutely beyond thrilled to hear Mother Horror loved What Feeds Below, beyond thrilled to have these lovely words and we can't wait for YOU to read it.

Grab a copy on bookshop and support Indigenous owned bookstore Black Walnut Books (help make this book a best seller!)

and while you're there, pick up one of Mother Horror's books (Tagged Below).

You can find Mother Horror on Instagram here.

I don't really care about football but I've been watching the Super Bowl for the last few years because of the half time shows. This year, I'm hosting a party for what I'm referring to as "The Bunny Bowl" because I'm hyped up about this year's show.

It took me a long time to become a Bad Bunny fan but his most recent album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, solidified my love for his music. I feel like it came at just the right time for so many of us. The songs, the music videos, his residency in Puerto Rico, his tour, and the Super Bowl combine to send a message: we have lost a lot and we should never forget that but we are better together...

And, of course, "I LOVE PUERTO RICO!!!"

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still being felt in our collective feelings of disconnect and Bad Bunny's work seeks to give us the community we crave, which seems to be working. My brother lives on the other side of the country but we decided to buddy read Puerto Rico: A National History by Jorell Meléndez-Badillo early last year. Together, began to understand our maternal grandmother and our family history a lot more. We recognized patterns in our familial stories. I think it brought us closer together.

Then Debí Tirar Más Fotos came out and we had another connection to Puerto Rico and each other. We watched "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí: Una Más," the finale of Bad Bunny's 2025 Puerto Rico residency, on streaming and cried. It turns out, the author of Puerto Rico: A National History helped Bad Bunny with the album and concert. I could feel it. The visuals overwelmed me with a sense of longing and pride. Listening to the songs brings back memories of our family’s parties where my grandma would make us dance with our cousins to hits by Marc Anthony and Elvis Crespo.

I've listened to the album numerous times since it came out and my love has only grown stronger. NUEVAYoL reminds me of the stories that my mom, aunts, and uncles told me about growing up in Brooklyn and Queens. They reminisced about participating in the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the blackout, block parties, and more.

Even though many of the songs on this album are about romance and break-ups, the emotions of it feel universal. BAILE INoLVIDABLE, a song about heartbreak and a love you can't forget, feels like an ode to the world of my maternal grandparents; salsa music blasting and couples passionately dancing in their finest clothes.

The song that hit the hardest was DtMF. Bad Bunny sings about being home, grief, regret, and never wanting to lose his people. The lines that make me tear up the most are:

Otro sunset bonito que veo en San Juan

Disfrutando de todas esas cosas que extrañan los que se van

Disfrutando de noche' de esas que ya no se dan

Que ya no se dan

Pero queriendo volver a la última vez

~

Another beautiful sunset I see in San Juan

Enjoying everything that the departed are missing out on

Enjoying nights like those that don't come often

That don't come often

But wanting to go back to the last time

And the chorus has stuck with me ever since...

Debí tirar más fotos de cuando te tuve

Debí darte más beso' y abrazo' las vece' que pude

~

I should've taken more pictures when I had you

I should've given you more kisses and hugs whenever I could

Grandma had often said she wanted to go back home to Puerto Rico, in the last few years of her life but we never got that chance. We couldn’t afford it. Then the pandemic started, I realized that hugging them at my cousin’s sweet 16 was the last time I’d get to do so. It was heartbreaking. I knew her health was declining and all I could do was celebrate her birthday over Zoom. I still haven't had a chance to visit the island and our family's hometown, Vega Alta, but Bad Bunny's album helps me feel close to my family and culture.

Despite the fact that Spanish was my maternal family's primary language, I'm not fluent. Regardless, Debí Tirar Más Fotos feeds the soul and I think that's why I'm incredibly happy that Bad Bunny won album of the year at the Grammys this year! In fact, it's the first Spanish-language album to win album of the year.

You don't need to know the language to enjoy his performance this Sunday, but I think understanding his impact might help. Let's dance, sing, and be together.

Pa'lante

Hi everyone! 

I’m slowly getting back to my routine after experiencing a significant loss in my family. Thank you for bearing with me, your kind words, and your patience.

This post covers everything that will be staying and changing in 2026 on my Patreon and Bindery platforms. I will start rolling out content this week and next. On Sunday, you'll receive the first newsletter of the year! If you are waiting on your book rec request from December, I'll be sending them out this weekend as well.

FREE MEMBERS

• Weekly newsletter (paid members will receive an extended version) recapping what I’m reading, filming, and what content you can expect on my social channels that week. 

• Access to our private Discord 

• Weekend seasonal readathons (Can be accessed through Discord)

• Paperback Pals Themed Book Club (Discord) CLICK HERE for full details.

• Monthly Book Club Live Reading Sprints - I will stream once a month preferably on a weekend where we come together to read our book club picks.

• Content Calendar & Hopefuls - You will receive a post at the beginning of the month with graphics recapping what I plan to read, my content plans, & what to expect on Patreon and Bindery.

PAID MEMBERS

Changes 

• I’m stopping sending mail (i.e. birthday cards and thank you cards) because it was difficult for INT folks and they didn’t always make it to their sender. 

• The newsletter is staying! It is now open for free members but all paid members will receive an extended version where I share a round-up of what I’m enjoying/playing/watching that week. I enjoyed that part of my newsletter last year, but it was hard to find something every week. Therefore, the recommendation part will be removed for that reason. 

PAPERBACK PAL 

(+ Everything for free members) 

• Weekly newsletter including what I’m enjoying/playing/watching that week! 

• One sit down video or  livestream each month - I’ll be continuing the rotation of a sit down video or live reading sprints each month. This is open to members of the Paperback Pal & Bookish Bundle tier. 

• Monthly Behind the Scenes content (Open to all paid members) 

BOOKISH BUNDLE 

(+ Everything on the Paperback Pal tier & for free members) 

• Extended vlogs - I enjoyed making vlogs for you last year but I want to change things up and stick to lifestyle vlogs. So you will receive a short vlog every month starting in Feb! Think of this as a weekly vlog where I share parts of my life + what I’m reading. 

• Quarterly Personalized Book Rec - As per usual, I’ll send out my form to get your personalized book recommendation requests. Bindery now has a feature for free and paid members to ‘Get a Rec’ but I’ll be prioritizing paid members requests first. Requests through Bindery will be turned into a round-up post and YouTube video. 

Interested in more exclusive content? Become a paid member!

Your monetary support has a significant impact, helping me continue to create content and supporting me on my journey to launching my own imprint.  

Thank you for your support. Here's to another year of creating content!

--Alex

Hello my dearies, froomies, and lovlies!

How are you? I hope all is well for each and every one of you. I am doing well, things are starting to slow down and not be as hectic for me, but one thing that has plagued me is..

I am in a HUGE reading slump.

I have started so many books, ones that I have adored, only for them to disappear back onto my TBR shelf to be admired from afar. There is nothing wrong with the books, but I just am struggling to find something good that will stick.

Until I remembered, I work in a library.

For those who do not know, I work at an Elementary School library, so I find myself being surrounded by books 8-3 Monday through Friday. And it got me thinking.

Why am I not counting the books I read on occasion to the students?

I feel like there is a stigma, whether enforced or not, when it comes to what people count towards their goals. Hell, it is apart of that recycled (and incorrect) thought about if audiobooks count. I think that also extends towards books that are originally meant for children as well and, whether I want to or not, I have unconsciously been adhering to forgetting that these books do count and doing myself a disservice.

And I have adored the books I have been reading to the children.

It is a constant reminder to myself how much of a sponge kids are. How in love with learning, and experiencing different narratives. It is a wonder to see kids with braids see the history of how cornrows and other styles paved the freedom trails in stories like Freedom Braids. How perseverance lead Mary Walker, a formerly enslaved woman, to learn how to read at the age of 116 and making her the oldest student to learn how to read! How they learn how much change and remaining undefeated can grow their confidence to face the world, no matter the adversity. and long for change.

I truly think that we are doing a disservice to children's literature and how poignant and impactful it can be. For both kids and the inner child that sometimes gets lost as we grow up.

January hit the ground running and did not slow down. I managed to read 23 books this month, wild I know, but when the month feels like a whole year, nothing is impossible. In Pennsylvania, we got 22" of snow, nearly two feet, leaving me snowed in with only my books for a week. Basically, I lived in a reader's paradise. During this week, I finished 11 books. Looking at that number, it is even more wild to me. Of the 11 books, 3 of them reached my top 5 books of the month, including my only 5 star read of the entire month. While only one of my top 5 reads was 5 stars, I HIGHLY recommend each and every single one of these books. Add them to your TBR. Put them in your shopping cart. Move them to the top of your reading list.

Now let's get to the books:

1. Hammerfall by Rob J. Hayes

4.5⭐️

Hammerfall is a standalone novella set in the same world as the Godeater Saga. I have yet to read any of the Godeater Saga but I plan on rectifying that very very soon after being consumed by this novella. You do not need to read the rest of the saga to be able to enjoy and understand what is going on, because I haven't and I not only thoroughly enjoyed and understood what was transpiring, but I love Selitha's character so much that I she has become an all time favorite FMC. Yeah. ALL TIME FAVORITE. Selitha's arc cannot be done justice through my words. I've tried and had to erase multiple times. You really just need to read it. She overcomes, endures, and breaks in these pages. She does not wish to set aside who she has become, deciding it is better to repress who she once was for a husk of who she now is. Selitha is dealing with survivor's guilt, heartbreak, and betrayal of the worst kind, betrayal to herself. The characters are the guiding light of this story, but the world and nuances did not go unnoticed. For being a standalone and a novella at that, the world was built beautifully, capturing the magic, the richness, and the intricacies without ever once feeling like you are wading through dense waters. The hints at the further lore of the world caught my attention and has me craving more from this world, these characters, and just Hayes as a writer.

1. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

4.5⭐️

Spanning decades, Pillars of the Earth follows multiple characters throughout the building of a cathedral. You are watching your faith in humanity fall apart, hoping for just a spark to guide the rest of the way. You will feel immense hatred for certain characters (maybe a lot of characters) while also being emphatic and wishing the world for others. The political intrigue that guides this story is one of my favorite parts. Seeing the behind the scenes of the political maneuvering because of the various perspectives while also not knowing the overall outcome, genius. You are witnessing the building of a cathedral, the building of a community, and also the building of a future with one central focus. Full of history and full of life, you are swept away into the rich and compelling world of the 12th century. Follett does not shy away from certain topics, so sensitive readers beware, but the use of the vile acts make us as the reader despise characters completely. You are witnessing through this book how ambition, courage, and loyalty does not necessarily always bring good and those who deserve it the most may never find it. Even though it is a 900-page tome, there is enough action, betrayal, and hope to keep you invested until the last page.

1. Bonds of Chaos by Zack Argyle

4.5⭐️

This is the final book in the Threadlight trilogy by Zack Argyle and arguably the best of the series. Without any spoilers, I just want to emphasis how great this trilogy was. It was bathed in rich details, honing in on the imagery and the depths of the characters. I had mixed emotions towards all characters as their arcs gradually began to form, but I trusted the process and Argyle completely and it payed off. The entire trilogy is fast-paced and action packed, but it does not feel crowded in the slightest. The world-building was developed thoroughly and there never seemed to be moments of info dumping. I was able to enjoy watching the growth of the characters while also knowing and accepting that the journey they go on could lead them down a path they would not return from. These characters were the highlight of the series. They navigated turmoil in a realistic manner and acted and grew from the challenges they faced. I loved the found family and relationships that they built, letting it guide them but also ensuring it would not consume them either. I cannot recommend this series highly enough! If you love epic fantasy with high stakes, intricate world-building, and a unique magic system, this is the series for you. It deserves all the love you can give it.

1. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

4.75⭐️

I find it hard to believe that this is a debut. Why? Because this book is nearly perfect in every single aspect. Wei wants to save herself, her family, and her village from starvation and end up becoming not just a concubine to the future emperor but the future empress. The future emperor is a violent man and to save herself and everyone else, she has to create a spell, a poem that is created out of love to bring death. It is an emotionally taxing look at humanity that is layered with complex characters and motives. As you dive into the story, you realize that every character is flawed and the balance of good and evil is on the edge of a knife. You are witnessing the loss of humanity over the course of this book, the breaking of one's soul as they pushed to the edge. Please know that this book is a dark fantasy and not a romance fantasy. There are dark themes, tones, and even graphic scenes that to put it gently, are not gentle. While a lot of trauma that Wei endures is implied or only vaguely mentioned, the weight of the trauma is evident on the page and you can feel the heaviness through the tone and prose. So I emphasis, this is not a book for every reader and every mindset. Please know going into this book, it is heavy and it can be a lot, but if you are able to read it, I highly recommend it. The magic system is unique. The world itself is vivid and lush. It is a historical fantasy at its core and is done so well. It was a haunting debut, one that will stick with me for a long long time.

1. Heart the Lover by Lily King

5⭐️

It is hard to put into words and convey my feelings towards this book. If I had to summarize, it broke me. My heart is weeping. I am changed. I will not take love for granted. I will not allow others to dictate who I should be and what I will become. Literary fiction is my home when it comes to reading and this book reminds me of WHY I love literary fiction with a burning passion. This is a book about human emotions, the types of love you see along the way, and the depths love can endure. You are witnessing how love can shape the person you become, from your first love to your deepest love, and how each creates a path for you and can still find happiness intertwined with grief. This obliterated my heart, my soul. It's a story about friendship, love, grief, and regret and how these emotions will guide you to your last breath. I read this in one sitting and then proceeded to stare at a wall for 30 minutes with tears streaming down my face (imagine Timothée Chalamet at the end of Call Me By Your Name). I was changed by this book for the better. It is one I know will be a guiding force for the rest of time.

This is only the beginning of the year and I have a feeling it is about to be the best one yet. There are so many books, series, and authors I am looking to indulge in. I have a large stack of books calling my name already. The question I am most curious about, and we won't find out until the end of the year, "Which will be my favorite?"

And now I am curious, what book was your favorite in January and do you think you know what will be your favorite for the year?