Book Read 2026

ARC Review: ‘The Ember and the Emerald’ by Gena Showalter

The Ember and The Emerald is the second installment in Gena Showalter’s No Monsters Like Hers Trilogy. If you haven’t read the first book, The Great And Terrible, you’ll need to before reading this one, since the second book picks up where the first left off. The second I knew Gena Showalter was writing a Wizard of Oz retelling, I knew I had to pick up the first book, and then I couldn’t wait to read this one. She’s one of my auto-buy authors, and I’ll read whatever she writes, so I’m glad she decided to venture into the Wizard of Oz. It was one of the movies I used to watch over and over again and drive my parents crazy. =)

FranJesscaJune 8, 2026June 8, 2026

Review: ‘A Novel Love Story’ by Ashley Poston

I found this story cute, and I enjoyed getting to know the FMC, Eileen. She’s a romance reader and loves her happily ever afters, so she was relatable. I also loved the idea of the book being about her being in one of her favorite book series and finding love there. Heck, doesn’t every book reader want to go into the pages of one of their favorite books or series and live there? I know I would, depending on the book or series. (There are some books I would not want to come to life that I’ve read.)

FranJesscaJune 7, 2026September 6, 2026

ARC Review: ‘XOXO, Summer’ by S.L. Scott

XOXO, Summer is the first installment in S.L. Scott’s The Season Sisters series, and it’s a perfect summer read. It’s such a sweet story that I had a hard time putting it down. The second I started it, I knew it would brighten my day to read Summer and Daniel’s romance. It also introduces the rest of the sisters, who will get their own books in the series, and yes, each is named after a season, which I found unique and different.

FranJesscaJune 5, 2026June 5, 2026

Review: ‘First Drop of Crimson’ by Jeaniene Frost

Thanks to authors like Jeaniene Frost, my love for vampires endures because of books like this one. I was always the kid who wanted to be a vampire, not a princess, which my parents always found weird. They still find me weird, and so does my husband. =)

If you haven’t read Jeaniene Frost’s books and enjoyed shows like Buffy, Angel, or The Vampire Diaries, you’re missing out on fantastic stories with some memorable characters in the Night Huntress series and its spin-offs.

FranJesscaJune 3, 2026June 4, 2026

Review: ‘Big Stick’ by R.C. Stephens

FranJesscaMay 31, 2026May 30, 2026

ARC Review: ‘Heir of Ruin’ by Eden Summers

Once again, Eden Summers gave me another engaging, suspenseful, and steamy read, and I rate it five stars. I’m eager for the next installment, especially with how things ended for one of the brothers. I definitely plan on rereading this book before the next book comes out because it deserves to be read more than one time.

FranJesscaMay 28, 2026May 30, 2026

Review: ‘Seeking Vengeance’ by Eden Summers

FranJesscaMay 27, 2026May 24, 2026

Review: ‘The Games Gods Play’ by Abigail Owen

The Games Gods Play is the first installment in Abigail Owen’s The Crucible Trilogy. I should have picked this book up sooner, especially since it features Greek Mythology in a fantasy world with a romantic subplot. Something I always enjoy reading because I love it when authors put their spin on Greek Mythology, and Abigail Owen has the Greek Gods choosing mortals to compete in deadly trials to determine which will be the next ruler of Olympus. If you are like me, you’ll despise the Gods for making mortals do the deadly trials for them.

FranJesscaMay 25, 2026May 25, 2026

ARC Review: ‘Made to Order’ by Gwyn McNamee

Made to Order by Gwyn McNamee is a short story that definitely hooked me from the start and took less than an hour to read. It’s steamy and features two characters who are hard not to love.

FranJesscaMay 23, 2026May 22, 2026

Review: ‘Delicate Escape’ by Catherine Cowles

Delicate Escape is the second book in Catherine Cowles’s Sparrow Falls series. I’m officially a fan of Catherine Cowles after only two books, this one and the first book, because both immediately pulled me in. Her emotionally driven storylines and irresistible characters make her writing and stories riveting.

FranJesscaMay 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Repost Review: ‘The Deal’ by Elle Kennedy

Re-read May 2026 before watching the TV adaptation. I still love Garrett and Hannah’s story. My original review remains the same below. I will forever love Garrett and Hannah’s fake dating storyline, which will always be one of my favorite tropes, even if it’s predictable.

FranJesscaMay 16, 2026May 16, 2026

ARC Review: ‘Archangel’s Eternity’ by Nalini Singh

If I could rate this series a million stars, I would. Five stars aren’t enough for this book or the series. (I’m crying while typing up this review, that’s how much this series has meant to me.)

FranJesscaMay 13, 2026May 13, 2026

Review: ‘Double Play’ by Jill Shalvis

I was in the mood for a Baseball Romance as it’s baseball season, so I picked up Double Play, the first book in Jill Shalvis’s Pacific Heat series. Already familiar with Jill Shalvis’s writing, I knew I was going to enjoy this book because her stories are always heart-warming. Double Play immediately captured the spirit of baseball romance, putting me in the mood to attend a game this summer because it’s been a long time since I attended a baseball game. Who knows, maybe one of the baseball players will fall for a reporter, as Pace Martin did for Holly Hutchins in Double Play. =) You never know.

FranJesscaMay 9, 2026May 9, 2026

Review: ‘Promise Me’ by Sara Cate

FranJesscaMay 7, 2026May 7, 2026

ARC Review: ‘Renegade Hawke’ by Gwyn McNamee

Overall, an excellent read, I give it five stars. It kept me on edge, and the steamy moments between Bishop and Gage are intense. It definitely is one of my favorite books in the series, and I highly recommend it.

FranJesscaMay 1, 2026May 1, 2026

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