✨ Can't go wrong with a Susie Tate book ✨

♥️ Clara is a shy, assistant teacher at a school for all the posh kids. One of the kids is Ozzie, the son of Rafe, the sexiest and the richest barrister.

Things take a romantic turn between Clara and Lord Rafe Sterling, when Clara begins to help Ozzie with his dyslexia. But little does he know that Clara is timid because of some secrets - dangerous secrets.

♥️ I really enjoy the way Susie Tate writes her stories! She reveals her character flaws in their prior conversations with other characters or monologues and then when those flaws show up in the main act breakup, it makes so much sense of why the characters acted the way they did. It makes me relate with the character much more.
Another point to note is the sensitivity and positive around neurological differences.

Really enjoyed this one too. Rafe is hot with his possessive, decisive personality. Also, my sweet Oz! 😭💕🫶.

✨♥️ 10/10 ♥️✨

✔️ Available on KU

Author - @susietateauthor

#bookstagram
#bookrecommendations #romancebooks #singledad #simplyvaish

Hey Bookish comrades!

It’s Mental Health Awareness month! If you are familiar with my IG, you probs know I have my fair share of MH struggles. I have had a hard time my entire life. I've tried all the pills, all the therapies, all the groups, the treatments, the detoxes, the hospitals, the cultural things, etc. But Every day is still a struggle for me. Medical trauma and stigma is SO real. I've experienced so many horrors in hospital. But I've been lucky to have people who care and have held me in my darkest hours. Now, some days the pain is paralyzing, others I can be ok! I’m just trying to do the teeniest tiniest things to push through. Showering, walks at night, tending to my plants, crafting, reading, sitting outside with a tea.

Below is a list of books I recommend that deal with different mental health conditions. And If anyone has suggestions for books on other mental health issues I’d love to hear!

Mental Illness/ Developmental Condition Rep:

A Mind Spread Out On The Ground  - Alicia Elliott | Memoir / Depression, Anxiety (*Indigenous author)

Things In Nature Merely Grow- Yiyun Li | Autobiography / Suicidal Depression

Almond - Won-pyung Sohn | Litfic / Alexithymia

Get Me Out of Here - Rachel Reiland | Memoir, BPD

Interesting Facts About Space - Emily Austin | Litfic / Anxiety

Trainspotting - Irvine Welsh | Litfic / Addiction

Rough Magic - Miranda Newman | Memoir / BPD

The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy - Steph Jones | Self-Help / Autism (recognizing 

Girl interrupted - Susanna Kaysen | Memoir / BPD

Making Love With the Land - Joshua Whitehead | Memoir, Essays / Eating disorder (*Indigenous author)

Giovanni’s Room - James Baldwin | Litfic / Depression

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath | Litfic / Depression

Furiously Happy - Jenny Lawson | Memoir, Humour / Depression, trichtillomania, anxiety,

You Better Be Lightening  - Andrea Gibson | Poetry / Depression

Betty - Tiffany Mcdaniel | Litfic / Various MH issues such as addiction, trauma/PTSD, psychosis, suicidal depression, etc (*Indigenous author)

What My Bones Know - Stephanie Foo | Memoir / C-PTSD

A Two-Spirit Journey - Ma-Nee Chacaby | Memoir/ Addiction, PTSD (*Indigenous author)

An Anthology of Monsters: How Story Saves Us from Our Anxiety - Cherie Dimaline | Autobiography, Essay / Anxiety (*Indigenous author)

Krik? Krak!  - Edwidge Danticat  | Litfic / Various MH issues such as Depression, PTSD, Psychosis, etc (*Indigenous author)

The Crying Book - Heather Christle | Memoir / Depression

Fire Song - Adam Garrett Jones | YA / Depression , etc (*Indigenous author)

While You Were Out - Meg Kissinger | Memoir / Various MH issues such as Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, etc

My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh | Litfic / Depression

All the Bright Places - Jennifer Niven | YA / Bipolar disorder

Everything Here Is Beautiful - Mira T. Lee | Litfic / schizoaffective disorder, psychosis

Shred Sisters - Betsy Lerner | Litfic / Bipolar, addiction

Freshwater - Akwaeke Emezi | Litfic / DID (if framed by a western lens) (*Indigenous author)

Pitiful - Brandi Bird | Poetry / Eating Disorder, Depression, Psychosis, OCD (*Indigenous author)

Notes of an Indigenous Futurist - Cliff Taylor | Memoir / Depression, Addiction (*Indigenous author)

Boy Swallows Universe - Trent Dalton | Litfic / Addiction

Building a Life Worth Living - Marsha Linehan | Memoir / BPD

Happy AAPI month friends! (Asian American Pacific Islander)

Here are some book recommendations for the month, more to come!

Burn the Sea by Mona Tewari

My first book by this author, not my last. I was blown away by this historical Indian fantasy that reimagines the 16th century Portuguese attacks on South India.

Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang

Feminine rage at its best, this standalone fantasy was my favorite read of last year!

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

Debut novel that follows Nadia, a British academic who takes a UN job in Iraq.

Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang

A satirical thriller about a supermarket cashier who assumes the identity of her deceased influencer twin sister Chloe to escape her own life.

We Dance upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

Contemporary fantasy novel with an iconic cover. A burnt out reproductive health worker gains supernatural powers.

If we cannot go at the speed of light by Kim Choyeop

A collection of Korean sci-fi stories that will take you on such an amazing journey.

Cleo Dang would rather be dead by Mai Nguyen

Dark humor explores a grieving mother who deals with the loss of her daughter and struggles to heal.

The Photonic Effect by Mike Chen

Space opera? Say less

Vibe Summary: GO TEAM!!!!!

Final Count: 3 (guys help the slump is DEEP)

Comeback (3.5 stars)

format: audiobook

I had never heard of this series before, but I saw the description for this one and was so intrigued that despite it being third in the series I read it as a standalone. Archer is deaf and ASL is a key form of communication throughout the story. I have long held a deep interest and appreciation for deaf culture and ASL, possibly because I was pronounced deaf at birth (was not true) or because nonverbal communication helps me as well in daily life due to my autism. I felt like, while definitely not perfect, the discussions and portrayal around deafness and chronic illness were pretty accurate and added to the story rather than feeling like a prop or diversity point. The romance itself was swoony and soft and had me rooting for them HARD. While football was in the book... it was minimal so like take that how you will.

Rooting Interest (5 stars)

format: paperback

Me love this book. Me want more. Me want Hollywood Stars merch from 831. Me think this is the best women's basketball I've read yet, especially in terms of representation of the actual sport, the W, and the OTHER WOMEN/ROLES THAT SURROUND THE PLAYERS. The main character is a sports journalist, and it shone through in the voice that the novel was written in, feeling like the authentic voice of a journalist chronicling her life. Fucking adored it. I also think that her initially being an NFL writer and being a total novice with basketball gives an excellent entry point for new fans or readers without that background. While the book is super realistic in its sport rep, it manages to explain things without feeling on the nose. If you didn't read this for our book club, READ IT NOW and come message me about it ;)

Love Overboard (4 stars)

format: audiobook

TEAAAAAAAAA this book feels exactly the Bravo show it reminds you of- except I enjoyed this so much more. Not only was this a WILD drama ride from start to finish, but it gave great commentary on how much we can trust reality shows to represent the people on it, the events, and how they shape the heroes and villains of a season. I love a book where no one is fully a villain, just varying levels of fucked up humans all living from their own perspective and this delivered that. Kandi is super talented, but this might be the best one yet. While the others are clearly sports related, this felt super team oriented in the greater forced proximity of uhhhh boat. We all stuck in this boat, together, and if the billionaire guest hates us then we all go down together, even if you did steal my ex boyfriend :( I love an ensemble :)

"You never know what's waiting on the other side - whether things work out the way you planned them or not. Everything will be all right in the end. And if it's not all right, it's not the end."

GENRE: Romance
RATING:4.5/5
FORMAT:eBook OR physical
Tropes:Ex-childhood best friends to lovers, small town, found family

Review:
Okay first, we get to continue in the Oaks Sisters series AND second, we get a ex-childhood best friends to lovers in one book with Fable and Theo? AHHHHH

Oh what a lovely book. We get to dive into the story of Fable and Theo, which is such an emotional filled journey. Fable is going through grief after the loss of her grandfather and is trying to find what she is meant to do in her life while living in her late grandfather's A-frame that is slowly crumbling. Meanwhile, Theo is back in town as a Vet and wants to settle down for good after escaping the place he thought could never be home.

Both of their stories are so emotional in different ways. Slowly throughout the book, we get to know both of our MCs and watch how they ended up where they did today. Learning about Theo's past and how hurt he was growing up helps us understand who he is now and learning how Fable and him grew up together and what caused them to drift apart was such a wholesome and emotional story.

In a way, they both have something that they need from the other and can only give it to each other by learning to trust one another and being vulnerable, which is HARD for them (& really for all of us as humans, let's be honest).

I dont know if this review makes sense as I dont want to give away any spoilers, but essentially, this book is about finding who you are and learning to forgive yourself for your past mistakes. It's about learning to trust yourself and your choices. It's about being okay with falling in love and trusting people again. And oh, what a lovely journey it is!

Oh and I always love it when one of our MC (or both really) love reading and we get to dive into books in our books! I think this one is perfect for those of us who love our emotional Romance with a lovely, emotional & wholesome journey for our MCs. I was provided a free advance reader copy and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

"When a game makes room for our words, our tastes, our creations, we become a part of it. And if it feels like this world has a soul, maybe that's because we infuse it with our own."

GENRE: Non-Fiction
RATING:4.25/5
FORMAT:eBook/physical ARC

Review:
What a nostalgic book on Nintendo games and what a visit through all our games that we grew up with. I'm slowly expanding into non-fiction and so I took this book one step at a time, read a chapter and just digested it in terms of nostalgia. It reminded me of so many things throughout my life in terms of gaming and my god, the memories I had forgotten. One of the games I was obsessed with was Nintendo Dogs and I had totally forgotten about it till reading this book.

Diving into Super Nintendo and reading about the various games was a fun journey. I didn't get to play all of them as I am Deaf and games didnt always have subtitles so they werent accessible. And yet, I grew up around Mario, Zelda and so much more.

This is a non-fiction that tells you so much about Nintendo itself but also tells you about how we keep our child spirit alive long after we've grown up and life has taken over and how a lot of people now are passing this love of Nintendo to the next generation.

It was also so interesting to see how Nintendo focuses on innovation and creativity as opposed to always aiming for a fast turnover, especially in today's climate. The idea that no work goes to waste in the long run was also super interesting. It's the balance between productivity and creativity that was explained so well in here and leaves you feeling inspired. It's the idea that we do things for the sake of enjoying them and then hoping it succeeds rather than designing something to succeed without any joy in it, but in an efficient and smart way.

Another notable thing was the fact that Nintendo slowly expanded to different population for gaming, which included everyone from kids to older people that would not have grown around Gaming itself. Its watching all generations fall in love with coming together and playing, whether it's truly Wii Sports, Mario, Animal Crossing and more.

And finally, the start of games because they're vibe-based and cozy started here in Nintendo and if you dont know me, Cozy games are my FAVOURITE so reading into this, seeing how the way was paved by Animal Crossing and generally Nintendo was a fun dive into the history of cozy gaming itself.

This was a lovely, nostalgic book. I think its a great read for those who don't usually pick non-fiction but love gaming to remind you of the memories we grew up with over the years (no matter when you did) and if you're new to gaming, it's a great book to see how Nintendo and the love for gaming started. I was provided a free advance reader copy and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

🌸 Curated Shelf: Picnic Basket Bookshelf

There’s a certain kind of story that belongs to May. Not too heavy. Not too loud. Just enough movement to keep you turning pages… but soft enough that you can look up, feel the sun, and not lose your place.

This is that shelf. Built for afternoons outside, slow mornings, and the kind of reading that feels like exhaling.

☀️ The One to Build Around

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Why it fits May:
It’s bright, curious, and quietly emotional in a way that sneaks up on you. The pacing keeps things moving, but the heart of the story (connection, resilience, problem-solving) grounds it.

Vibe:
Sunlight through trees. Big questions. Unexpected friendship.

Take it with you if:
You want something immersive that still feels good to sit with outside.

🧺 Pack the Basket Picks

• The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
  Found family, quiet magic, and the kind of warmth that lingers.

• Happy Place by Emily Henry
  Messy love, nostalgia, and the ache of things changing.

• Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
  Cozy fantasy with purpose; building something new, one small step at a time.

• The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
  Atmospheric, reflective, and perfect for slow, thoughtful reading.

• Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
  Short, quiet, and deeply impactful; best read in one sitting.

🌿 Under-the-Radar Gems (the ones you bring to share)

• The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
  Healing, community, and starting over with nature woven through every page.

• The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
  A death doula, a life half-lived, and the quiet courage to change it.

• The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
  Lyrical, layered, and rooted in place; this one feels like reading under a tree.

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
  Grief, connection, and an octopus you will absolutely fall in love with.

🎧 Audiobooks for Long Walks & Golden Hour Drives

• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
  Warm, reflective storytelling that feels like someone walking beside you.

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
  Cozy, whimsical, and easy to sink into while you’re out moving.

• Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  Full-cast narration that feels alive, perfect for longer walks.

❓ What book are you bringing to the picnic this month?

My loves, I am not doing well. As a result, there will be no video this week and I will be taking a break for a few weeks.

I can’t tell you how much this hurts me because I love love love making videos for you. I sat down on Monday to try and film, got six chapters in and had to stop. I was going to try again today but I just can’t do it. My energy is depleted, I feel weak and foggy. I’m having trouble eating. I’m not trying to complain, I just want you to know how bad it has to be for me to need this break. I love my job, I love you guys and I wanna keep bringing you quality videos until the cows come home - I just need to take a break for a while for my health and well being.

If you’re curious, I’ve got a few doctor and therapy appointments on the books, I’m determined to feel better and figure this out. I appreciate you in every single sense of the word and I will be back and hopefully better soon.

♥️ Natalie

Hi friends! It’s time to begin populating our monthly newsletter with all the cozy, creative joy. This month’s theme is: A Moment for Yourself.💕

May has a way of filling up quickly. Calendars get busy, days start to move a little faster with end of school year events, etc. It can feel like you’re just keeping pace with it all. So this month, instead of asking for anything big or elaborate, I wanted to create space for something smaller.

If you’d like to add something to our newsletter this month, here’s a list of what I’d love to include:

✨ A small moment you carved out just for yourself, even if it was only a few minutes.

✨ A cozy routine or ritual that’s helping you slow down lately.

✨ A photo of a quiet corner, cup of tea, book, or space where you paused.

✨ A book, show, or comfort you turned to when you needed a moment.

✨ A “little win” that made the day feel better

✨ A snapshot of real life, messy, imperfect, but yours.

Ready to submit? CLICK HERE to send in your photo, piece of writing, book rec, drawing, etc. by May 28th and I’ll do my best to include it.

I can’t wait to see the moments you chose to keep for yourself!
Meg

I’m sorry I’m so behind the power curve on getting this posted but I’ve had a sick kiddo and have thusly been recleanjng the whole house 5 times over. 🙃

Can you believe that What Feeds Below releases in October? I think because of the level of excitement around the book, it feels like release date is next week! I haven't had a lot of time to reflect on Bookcon because my day job has been so intense, but the response to What Feeds Below was incredible to see. We brought 50 arcs to give away. An hour before drop time there was over 100 people in line. I stayed around and handed out probably 100 bookmarks and 150-200 art cards. It was so incredible to see so many people excited for what I know is going to make a lot of people's top 10 lists!

We already have 300 ratings on Goodreads! I feel like that number is high for a book not coming out for several months (and no giveaways have been hosted YET (stay tuned). And the reviews have been overwhelmingly position (4.65 average!)

Last week Tatiana shared on Instagram her story about a Big 5 publisher rejecting What Feeds Below ON HER BIRTHDAY because they didn't know what to do with it.

Their loss (and the other publishers who rejected WFB) is definitely our gain!
And if there is one thing that I believe is that indie publishing, especially Bindery books, can rival the BIG 5 in reach and success and I would love to do everything in our power to help Tatiana hit a best seller list.

The immediate goal for us is to hit 1,000 preorders. I'm probably not supposed to tell you this, but I think it's important for you to know where our preorders stand and the work that needs to be completed, because I'd love to invite you to help Tatiana and I reach this goal.

We currently have 270 preorders. We need 730 more to hit 1,000 (I just used a calculator, I studied English, besties).

We've added preorder incentives if you haven't ordered yet: An 8x10 POSTER of the cover. (This cover is so freaking gorgeous!), a sticker and signed bookplate are available when you order from the following stores:

The Twisted Spine

Mysterious Galaxy

Prairie Lights (personalization available)

If you haven't preordered yet, please do soon! The more buzz around the book, the more likelihood this book will make lists and maybe even get the gorgeous special edition it deserves!

If you have preordered, please help us convince others to not wait until release day and to support the author today! Preorders are SO important for authors and they have been really down this year altogether! If you can spare it, now is the time!

Thank you all so much for supporting, sharing, reviewing! I love this community and how hard we work together for our authors!

Happy pub day!! This week’s releases had me bouncing between obsession, deep thinking, and a couple “hmm…we’re not quite there” moments 👀

We’ve got haunted libraries, ghost-filled cities, body autonomy conversations that will sit with you, and a few that didn’t fully stick the landing for me.

Let’s get into it.

🏛️ The Library After Dark

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 5 stars

This one?? I was addicted.

A haunted library. A private after-dark tour. Themed rooms. Poisoned books. Dark fairy tale interludes. A group of people trapped inside with secrets absolutely rotting beneath the surface.

Yes. Immediately yes.

I loved this author’s debut, You Are Fatally Invited, so my expectations were already high, and somehow this exceeded them.

What worked so well for me is that the library doesn’t just feel like a backdrop. It feels alive. Every room has its own atmosphere, every detail feels slightly cursed, and the entire time you’re wondering who is lying, who is dangerous, and what really happened before these characters ever walked through the doors.

This is the kind of locked-room thriller that understands atmosphere is not decoration. It’s the whole point.

Final thought: A twisty, immersive thriller for readers who love books about books, unreliable characters, and settings with teeth.

🪽 Enormous Wings

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4.5 stars

This is the one I haven’t been able to shake.

On the surface, it’s about a seventy-seven-year-old woman who moves into a retirement community and then receives a shocking medical diagnosis: she’s pregnant.

But underneath that, this book is asking much harder questions about bodily autonomy, aging, dignity, motherhood, and who gets to make decisions when everyone thinks they know what’s best for you.

And somehow?? It balances all of that with warmth, humor, friendship, and found family.

Pepper is feisty, stubborn, funny, and deeply human. Watching her push back against the people and systems trying to speak for her instead of with her was empowering, but also deeply uncomfortable in the best way.

Because this book makes you sit with the line between care and control.

Final thought: A beautiful, timely, surprisingly funny story about agency, aging, family, and what happens when the world decides your body is up for debate.

🩸 I Know a Place

Read or skip: READ if you like horror, gore, and unhinged short fiction
Rating: 4 stars

Nat Cassidy said, “Let’s take a little detour,” and then immediately drove us straight into the weirdest, bloodiest, most cursed corners imaginable.

This collection is not what I would recommend as your first Nat Cassidy if you’re new to him. I still think his full-length novels are the better entry point. But if you already like his brain? This is such a solid collection.

There are gas stations from hell, creepy children, haunted spaces, ventriloquist dolls, cursed intimacy, body horror, religious horror, and stories that made me go: “I’m sorry…what did I just read?”

Not every story landed equally for me, which is pretty normal with collections, but the ones that worked really worked. My favorites leaned into that blend of wild concept, emotional undercurrent, and absolutely disgusting imagery.

And honestly? Sometimes you just need a book that is here to be gross, weird, and deeply unsettling.

Final thought: A strong horror collection for existing Nat Cassidy fans, especially if you like your horror bloody, bizarre, and emotionally sharper than expected.

👻 The Girl with a Thousand Faces

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 5 stars

This was haunting in the exact way I wanted it to be.

A historical gothic fantasy set in Hong Kong, full of ghosts, grief, memory, war trauma, and women who refuse to stay quiet? I was locked in.

The atmosphere here is stunning. Kowloon Walled City feels claustrophobic, haunted, and alive with history. Mercy Chan is a ghost-talker with a missing past, and as the story unfolds, it becomes less about simply defeating a spirit and more about confronting the pain everyone would rather bury.

And that’s where this book really got me.

The ghosts are terrifying, yes, but the human horrors underneath them are what linger. War. Grief. Survival. Generational trauma. The cost of forgetting. The cost of remembering.

This is gothic fantasy that feels layered, strange, and emotionally brutal in the best way.

Final thought: A ghost story with teeth, grief, and history pressing in from every side.

A Founding Mother

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 4.25 stars

I love when historical fiction reminds you that history was not just built by the men whose names ended up in bold print.

This book follows Abigail Adams during the early years of the American Revolution, and what I appreciated most was how much it centers her labor, intelligence, resilience, and voice.

Yes, she was married to John Adams. Yes, she became First Lady. But this story is much more interested in who she was before and around those titles: a mother, a farmer, a strategist, a woman managing a household during war and political upheaval, and someone brave enough to speak her mind when the world was not exactly eager to listen.

It’s informative without feeling dry, and timely in a way that really works with the 250th anniversary of the country coming up.

Also, the author’s notes? Must-read. I love when historical fiction gives you that extra context around what’s true, what’s imagined, and what had to be shaped for the story.

Final thought: A thoughtful, timely historical novel about a woman ahead of her time and the power behind the scenes of a nation being born.

✍️ Five Weeks in the Country

Read or skip: MAYBE READ
Rating: 3.5 stars

This one has such a distinct tone from the very beginning.

It’s quiet. Heavy. Melancholic. And honestly, a little uncomfortable in a way that feels very intentional.

The story imagines Hans Christian Andersen’s real-life visit to Charles Dickens’ home, and let’s just say… this is not exactly a cozy author sleepover. Andersen feels awkward, misplaced, and painfully aware that he doesn’t quite belong. Every interaction has this strained quality to it, like everyone is trying to be polite while also silently begging the visit to end.

What stood out most to me was Andersen himself. There’s this sadness to him, this uncertainty, like he can’t quite see his own worth or where he fits in the world.

And that part worked for me.

It’s not always the easiest read, and the tone may not be for everyone, but it does tap into something very human: that feeling of being out of place, even among people you admire.

Final thought: A quiet, character-driven historical novel for readers who like literary melancholy, emotional awkwardness, and imagined gaps in real history.

🔒 Payback

Read or skip: SKIP
Rating: 3 stars

This one had a premise that immediately hooked me.

A luxury weekend prison for the wealthy. Seven inmates. A dead guard. A storm. A murder mystery inside a facility where privilege still finds a way to make incarceration more comfortable.

That setup? Fascinating.

And learning about pay-to-stay prisons was genuinely one of the most interesting parts of the book. It’s one of those details where fiction and reality blur in a way that makes you pause.

But the story itself didn’t fully deliver for me.

There’s an early twist that makes a bold choice, but it also removes one of the most compelling pieces from the board too soon. After that, the book settled into something more familiar and predictable than I wanted.

I wanted more bite. More depth. More tension from such a strong concept.

Final thought: Interesting premise, but the execution felt too surface-level for me to fully recommend.

💻 A Zoom with a View

Read or skip: SKIP
Rating: 3 stars

This one is hard because I can see exactly what it was trying to do.

Small town. Messy relationships. A murder. A complicated mother-daughter dynamic. A love triangle. A snarky subreddit thread that honestly might have been my favorite part.

The ingredients were there.

But for me, it never fully came together.

The main character felt stuck in a level of emotional immaturity that made it hard for me to stay invested in her choices, and when a book is built around relationships, that disconnect really matters.

I also needed the ending to feel more resolved. Not perfectly wrapped up, but more satisfying than what we got.

That said, the subreddit element was genuinely fun, and I wish the book had leaned into that structure even more.

Final thought: A few clever pieces, but the emotional payoff wasn’t strong enough for me.

🍽️ Supper Club Saints

Read or skip: READ
Rating: 5 stars

Oh this one?? This one got me.

The story opens with the youngest daughter returning home after disappearing for two years to join a cult-like “mommune,” and immediately you know this is going to dig into something deeper than just the surface-level drama.

And it does.

This is a multi-POV story following the women of the Simon family, and what I loved most is how much care the author gives to each of them. Every choice, every reaction, every complicated relationship, it all feels rooted in something real.

Motherhood is at the center of this story, but not in a soft, idealized way. It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s shaped by trauma, expectations, generational patterns, and the constant pressure of trying to do better than what came before you… while still figuring out what “better” even means.

Cass’s time in the mommune is especially fascinating because you can see how manipulation works slowly, subtly. It doesn’t feel exaggerated. It feels believable. Which makes it hit even harder.

But what really stayed with me was the relationship between the sisters. Even while navigating their own struggles (infertility, identity, past wounds), they show up for each other in ways that feel honest and earned.

Final thought: A deeply emotional, beautifully written story about motherhood, identity, forgiveness, and the complicated ways women love each other.

Overall, this week had some serious standouts and a couple that didn’t quite hit—but the highs? Very high.

If you’re picking from this list, start with The Library After Dark or The Girl with a Thousand Faces… and if you’re feeling brave, I Know a Place is waiting for you 😈

As always, I want to know: what are you picking up first?

In my last post, I came to the defense of romance novels with research about how beneficial they are for relationship health based on what we can learn from them. I find that on tikotk the conversation about romance novels often starts in the wrong place.

It starts with a claim that these books are harmful. That they create unrealistic expectations. They they are damaging relationships.

That framing keeps the focus narrow. It treats readers as passive recipients of influence instead of active participants in meaning-making. It also misses what’s happening on a deeper level.

Romance is not only entertainment. It is a space where people practice identity.

People often rehearse parts of themselves in fiction before they claim them in real life. I talk about this often in my practice. Literature, especially romance books are a place where people can explore identity from a distance. Clients will describe a character, a dynamic, or a storyline with curiosity. They will explain what they love, what they want, what feels safe or unsafe. They often do this long before they can speak about those same needs directly.

That distance from reality matters.

Fiction provides a layer of separation that reduces risk. When something is framed as a story, you aren’t required to take ownership of it. You can engage, react, and reflect without feeling exposed. This creates a low-pressure environment for exploration, especially in areas shaped by shame, silence, or rigid expectations.

Romance, in particular, offers a structured space to explore gender roles, power, and desire.

Within the boundaries of a story, you can examine what it feels like to want something without having to act on it. You can observe different expressions of intimacy, communication, and conflict. You can witness power dynamics play out in ways that are negotiated, challenged, or redefined. You can see what mutual desire looks like when it is explicitly acknowledged.

These experiences don’t remain within the pages of books.

They create reference points.

When someone reads a scene where boundaries are respected, where communication is direct, or where desire is treated as valid, they are not only following a plot. They are absorbing a model. That model becomes something they can compare against their own experiences.

For individuals who were raised in environments that limited or distorted conversations about desire, this kind of exposure is significant. Many people were not given language for what they feel. They were taught what was acceptable, what was expected, and what should be avoided. Romance introduces variation. It presents alternatives.

This is where fantasy plays a critical role.

Fantasy creates distance from shame. It allows readers to engage with desire without immediately attaching judgment to it. Instead of asking “is this allowed,” the question shifts to “does this resonate.”

That shift changes the entire process.

Resonance invites curiosity. It encourages readers to notice their reactions rather than suppress them. Over time, this builds awareness. Patterns begin to emerge. Certain dynamics feel compelling, and others feel uncomfortable. Some interactions create a sense of safety, while others don’t.

This isn’t random.

It reflects internal values, needs, and boundaries that may not yet be fully articulated. Romance becomes a tool for identifying those patterns.

For marginalized readers, this function becomes even more critical.

Traditional narratives have historically centered a narrow definition of desirability. Whiteness, thinness, cisgender identity, and heteronormativity have often been positioned as the default. Within those constraints, many readers have not seen themselves reflected as the subject of desire or as central to a romantic narrative.

When readers encounter stories that center identities like their own, the impact extends beyond representation.

They are seeing themselves placed in roles that affirm their worth. They are witnessing characters who are desired, who have agency, and who navigate relationships on their own terms. This challenges internalized beliefs about who is allowed to be seen, wanted, and prioritized.

It also expands possibility.

If you have never seen a dynamic modeled, it’s difficult to imagine it as an option for your own life. Romance provides those models. It shows a range of relational structures, communication styles, and expressions of intimacy that may not have been available in a reader’s immediate environment.

This isn’t about replacing reality with fiction.

It is about creating a space where new ideas can be considered without immediate consequence.

The process is gradual. A reader notices what draws them in. They begin to understand why certain dynamics resonate. They develop language for their preferences, boundaries, and desires. Over time, this awareness can translate into real-life communication and decision-making.

In this way, romance supports identity formation.

It offers a space where exploration is possible without pressure. It allows readers to engage with complex aspects of themselves in a way that feels contained and manageable. It provides examples that can be evaluated, accepted, or rejected.

The value lies in that process of engagement.

When readers approach romance with attention and reflection, they aren’t consuming passively. They are interacting with the material. They are gathering information about themselves. They are testing ideas in a context that allows for flexibility and change.

This is particularly relevant in conversations about desire.

Desire is often framed as something that needs to be controlled or corrected. In many cultural contexts, it is associated with risk, judgment, or moral evaluation. Romance shifts that framing. It treats desire as something that can be explored, understood, and communicated.

That shift has implications.

When people have access to language and models for their experiences, they are better equipped to navigate relationships. They can identify what they want. They can articulate boundaries. They can recognize when something feels misaligned.

These are foundational skills for relational health.

They are’nt developed in isolation. They are shaped by the narratives people engage with, the examples they observe, and the spaces where they feel safe enough to reflect.

Romance, at its best, contributes to that process.

It creates a space where readers can encounter parts of themselves indirectly. It allows them to engage with those parts without immediate pressure to define or defend them. It supports a movement from reaction to recognition.

A useful place to begin is with a simple question.

What parts of yourself did you meet in fiction before you could name them out loud?

Tell me in the comments! I'll start, one of the first times I saw a nonbinary character on page was in I Kissed Shara Wheeler. There was a secondary character asking a tertiary character how they knew they were nonbinary, and as that character described the experience of knowing it, it felt like they were telling my story. I just knew, yes, that's me. And I suddenly had language I previously did not.