Ten Sleep by Nicholas Belardes
Jordan Peele’s Nope meets True Grit in Nicholas Belardes’s Ten Sleep, a supernatural modern-day western about a trio of young people on a 10-day cattle drive that leads them through a canyon haunted by ancient mysteries and savage beasts who existed long before humankind.
A young Mexican American woman detects uncanny creatures stalking her on a cattle drive toward a canyon soaked in blood in an unforgettable novel, brilliantly infusing the modern Western with spine-chilling horror . . .
When Greta Molina’s old friend Tiller offered her the job, a ten-day cattle drive across the Wyoming prairie from the ranching town of Ten Sleep, it sounded like a well-paid break. Three hundred and twenty cows and calves, two guys her age she’s known since college, and a few long days on an ATV will give her time to sort out the mess in her head. The canyon along the trail has a history, sure, but nature has a tendency toward violence. Greta can accept that, even if it makes her insides squirm.
What Greta doesn’t know is the legacy of murder and rot that runs deep into the rocks of this land. As each night passes on the prairie, the trio faces mounting supernatural dangers: a ghost train of the damned, wild animals walking alongside dead ones—and evidence of a gigantic creature in the skies, one that’s supposedly been extinct for eons. And Tiller may be hiding even darker secrets the further they go. Safety is only ten sleeps away, but Greta soon realizes that may be too long for all of them to survive.
Nicholas Belardes’s Ten Sleep is a fresh portrayal of the American West for fans of Catriona Ward, Victor LaValle and Jordan Peele’s Nope, by a rising star in horror.
Counterpoint by Hailey Frost
Old and new wounds. Sparks in the air. And one road trip they’ll never forget.
Harper
Leaving the city was supposed to be a fresh start—a chance to escape the wreckage of my last relationship and breathe again. A quiet, drama-free road trip home was all I wanted.
But my brother has other plans. Now, I’m stuck sharing the drive with his grumpy best friend—the same man who rejected me years ago and can’t seem to stand being in the same room as me.
Too bad for him… I’m not that lovestruck girl anymore.
Simon
With the band on break, I feel restless—like I’m waiting for something to happen. So when my bandmate insists I tag along on a road trip with his sister, I figure it’ll be miserable.
And at first? It is. She’s infuriating. Too stubborn, too fiery, too tempting for her own good.
But the more miles we put behind us, the more I realize… I don’t hate her. Not even close. In fact, the feelings I buried all those years ago? They’re coming back fast—and this time, they’re impossible to ignore.
But is this just a detour… or the start of something real?
Moonblood by Jade Ambrosia
A love written in the stars. A truth buried in shadows.
Falsely accused of a crime he would never commit, Alpha Alecksander Hale is stripped of his title, his home, and his legacy. With his pack stolen from him, and the real traitor in power, he vows to uncover the truth and return to MoonShadow to reclaim what is rightfully his.
But exile brings an unexpected twist—his fated mate. Torn between the overwhelming pull of their bond and the heavy responsibility still looming over him, Aleck must fight not only for justice but for the life—and love—he never thought he would have.
Selena Claire’s life is simple, safe, and entirely ordinary—until the day a magnetic stranger steps into her store and shatters everything she thought she knew. He claims to be a werewolf… and her fated mate.
Thrust into a hidden world of supernatural danger and ancient power, Selena must face a choice that could redefine her entire existence. Will she cling to the quiet life she’s built for herself, or risk everything for a love that feels written in the stars?
This standalone is the first installment of the MOONBLOOD duology, a spicy retelling of the love story between the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, and her mortal lover, Endymion.
If you Actual wolf shiftingMorally gray MMC (who’s not an Alpha-hole)He falls first / “You’re mine” vibesEmpowered FMCFated mates (with choice)Relationship developmentGood Banter + communicationStrong MC romance / chemistryHEA / happy momentsNot insta-loveGet. This. Book.
BUT if you SUPER dark romanceMorally black MMCHigh fantasy / tons of worldbuildingPoorly done miscommunication tropeWhy choose? / RHCheatingDeep OmegaverseDON’T get this book. I read those too :), but none of these tropes are in MOONBLOOD.
Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith
Enemies by day. Spicy fanfic author and devoted reader by night.
Things are about to get downright Shakespearean.
All’s fair in love. And war. And fandom.
Financial auditor Micah Mila is used to being the bearer of bad news, and her latest assignment in the local university’s English department has been especially taxing—no thanks to a literature professor who clashes with her at every turn. Thankfully, she has an after-hours escape: reading spicy Shakespearean fanfic.
Professor Aidan Scott is damn good at his job. But Micah has been a thorn in his side since the moment he laid eyes on her—eyes that really like what they see. Yet, with his job on the line, there’s no room for distractions. At least, not beyond the sexy fanfic he secretly writes.
When Micah discovers the man getting under her skin is the writer heating her up, their enemy vibe turns steamy. But with Micah’s audit due and Aidan’s career at risk, separating fantasy from reality becomes more than a little complicated…
Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith
Shakespeare, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, secret romance, hot professor, “good girl,” dirty talk, hot nerd hero, black cat girlie, working together, praise kink, she comes first, high heat level, “I hate you but I love f&*$ing you”
Riding His Spaceship by Marian Pattechat
She plans to move to the big city for a fresh start. The universe, a.k.a. the hot tailed alien who abducts her, has other plans.
Emilia has the next steps in her life all planned out. Just one more tedious work shift and this small town waitress will be getting in her car and driving to greener pastures. Then the hottest guy she has even seen sits at the bar and offers her the ride of a lifetime. Yeah, like she hasn’t heard that pick-up line before. His big blue eyes, messy black hair, and roguish dimple won’t fool her. She’s been burned by a handsome devil once already, so no, thank you.
Only that Mr. Too Cute to Be True doesn’t take no for an answer.
Dargus, clad in an itchy human disguise, is on a time-sensitive mission of galactic proportions. Emilia is the one who can help him and his fluffy six-legged partner complete it. At least, he thinks so. It’s not like he has worked with a female from the planet Terra before. Or with any female, for that matter. But Emilia’s tail-stopping gaze, enticing scent, and delectable curves indicate she is perfect for the job. Now, if only the feisty Terran could forgive him for getting her on board… literally.
Turns out Emilia will be going for a ride after all. Just not in a car.
Riding His Spaceship is a science fiction romance novel featuring a feisty ginger waitress, a sweet alien guy with a soft spot for anything orange, and his toe-licking fur baby. Hop on an adventure-rich spaceship ride filled with steamy moments, blaster action, and a hearty dose of humor on the way to the guaranteed HEA. For mature readers only. For CWs, please refer to the author’s website.
The Umbra King by Jamie Applegate Hunter
The morally grey don’t want redemption. They want retribution.
After the brutal murder of her twin sister, Aurora ‘Rory’ Raven spends years forging herself into a ruthless vigilante killer.
She never gave up her search for the man who killed her sister, but when she is convicted of thirteen murders and sentenced to five-hundred years in Vincula, the prison realm, she knows her sister’s death will never be avenged.
After arriving in Vincula, Aurora discovers her opportunity for retribution is closer than she thought.
Caius is the notorious Umbra King, ruler of Vincula, King of the Monsters, and the thing nightmares are made of. After being locked in his own realm for a crime he didn’t commit, his only focus has been revenge.
When Aurora drops into his throne room, representing everything he despises, they begin a game of cat and mouse, and before long, their hatred turns into something else.
Circumstances draw them together, but revenge might tear them apart.
The Umbra King is book one in the Vincula Realm Duology, which is set in the Realms of the Aether multiverse. It ends on a cliffhanger.
Contains mature content.
A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher
A witch and a shifter get a second chance at love in this new paranormal romantic comedy from USA Today Bestselling author April Asher.
At the bright-eyed age of eighteen, witch Harlow “Harry” Pierce attended her first Fates Haven Finding Ceremony certain the Blue Willow Wisp would lead her to her Fated match, her cougar shifter boyfriend, Jaxon Atwood. But Fate had other plans, guiding her best friend to him instead. With a broken heart, all her belongings, and a vow to never return, Harry did the only thing a broken-hearted witch could do. Run.
Thirteen years later, she returns to her magical hometown—with her half-human, half-shifter goddaughter in tow—hoping that not only would the town work its magic on the troubled teenager, but that the local Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack could help Grace identify—and control—her fiery abilities.
Jaxon Atwood was a shifter of few words and even less patience… until his mother retired as Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack and left the running of things to him. It’s a headache he didn’t need, and one that brought the witch who’d ripped his heart from his chest knocking on his door.
Ever since the disappearance of the town’s Fate Witch over a decade ago, Fates Haven’s magic has been slowly going haywire. There hasn’t been a Fated Match made in thirteen years, putting the town in serious jeopardy of losing its title of Most Fated Mates Per Population. But now, something is stirring in Fates Haven, Colorado, and it smells like the past, tastes like change, and looks like A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE.
Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau
Reading the synopsis for Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau had me expecting a very cute romance. And while it was cute and I really enjoyed the book, it was a lot deeper than I thought it would be. The build-up to romance was slower than I thought it would be. The first third feels […]
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon has been on my TBR list since it came out. The cover was so sparkly and gorgeous and I’d been primed for minotaur romance after finishing Morning Glory Milking Farm. I thought I knew what to expect, but I was wrong in the best way! This was much more […]
The Bone Drenched Woods by LV Russell
When I saw the cover for The Bone Drenched Woods by LV Russell, I was intrigued. Such a visceral title and cover. Then, we get the eerie synopsis and I was sold. I was so excited to read this, which makes the letdown so incredibly disappointing. Weak worldbuilding and a consistently punished protagonist were too much […]
Obsessively Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter
Absolutely obsessed with Obsessively Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter! I wasn’t sure how much I would love this after Viciously Yours (I am a SUCKER for epistolary romances,) but this topped Viciously easily. The relationship between Violet and Roman was so tender and amazing and, most importantly, complete. Watching Violet and Roman’s relationship bloom from friendship […]
Campfires and Canines by Aly Hollis
Campfires and Canines by Aly Hollis was one of my Stuff Your Kindle days pick-ups and I’m glad I grabbed this! It was cute and cozy with a dash of danger. Hazel and Slate were absolutely instalove, but with fated mates – what else can you expect? Still, it was sweet how hard Slate tried […]
Pucked by Helena Hunting
With a cute cover and desperate for hockey romances, I picked up Pucked by Helena Hunting. Was this the best hockey romance? No. Was it a good and fun read that filled a craving? Yes! There was some angst, which I enjoyed and added much needed tension, but this seemed to straddle the fence between […]
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Continuing on with my journey through the classics, I really, really wish I had read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath when I was in my early twenties. Maggie Gyllenhaal did a great job narrating and I know the reason I got through this as quickly as I did was because of her narration. You […]
Bearista by Zoe Chant
After being on such a great roll with Zoe Chant books, I was bound to find a one to disappoint. Bearista, I picked up solely for the punny name. I thought how funny, yes, I would love to see a big, burly bear shifter behind the counter wearing an apron and working as a barista. […]