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From the publisher:

This summer, the town’s juiciest secrets are revealed in New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s joyful and sparkling new novel

Jax has a slight issue with control—as in, she needs it. Always. Too bad she has power only over the Painted Lady Bookstore, the Victorian mansion turned bookshop she inherited. No one else listens to a word she says. Her ex gets engaged for questionable reasons. Her beloved sister, Ryleigh, wants to move away to find a husband. And the handsome contractor Jax has chosen to convince Ryleigh to stay is only interested in Jax.

Still, she’s living the bookworm dream—until an unhappy accident erases the names from the bookshop lockboxes where the town keeps their diaries. Which means the only way to find a diary’s owner is…to read it.

As secrets spill and scandals surface, life at the Painted Lady Bookstore gets a lot more colorful and chaotic. But for a woman who’s always had to take charge, Jax will see that losing control—especially with the right wrong guy—can set you free.

https://amzn.to/45wbAtm

Mallery (Otherwise Engaged) delivers her signature warmth and humor in this engaging tale. Jax owns a cozy bookstore in a small California town. Divorced and co-parenting two children with her ex, Jax navigates life with the help of her sister, Ryleigh, and her precocious African Gray parrot, Ramon. Ryleigh wants to marry but fears this small town is devoid of any romantic prospects. Her best friend, a widower with a young son, lends her support as she navigates her best path forward.

When the shop needs major renovations, Jax hires a charming young contractor and immediately tries to match him with Ryleigh—only to learn he’s interested in her. Meanwhile, a worker cleans a section of an old brick wall, unaware that the wall conceals secret diaries that townspeople had hidden there. Chaos ensues as customers search for their lost journals. Through unexpected discoveries, heartfelt connections, and a touch of romance, both sisters discover that love can find them when they least expect it.

VERDICT Mallery fans and new readers alike will relish this charming read with plenty of fodder for discussion, and should appeal to Robin Carr or Brenda Novak fans.

©Library Journal, 2026

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES by Susan Mallery. MIRA (March 3, 2026). ISBN: 978-1335629708. 384p.

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Heartstrings, Book 2

From the publisher:

“Promises plenty of Borison’s signature banter, emotional nuance, and snowed-in charm.”—New York Times

Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from #1 New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.

Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover a historic snowstorm, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.

Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal: If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With unexplored chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship.

But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains stay in the mountains?

“The snowy setting, the endearing protagonists’ grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and their slow-burn romance make for a wonderfully cozy and sexy read…Borison writes a delightful romance to get wrapped up in, full of well-executed tropes.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Fans of Borison’s previous outings will be excited to delve into this warm winter-hug of a novel.”—Booklist

“A wonderfully cozy and warm romance in a cold, snowy setting.”—Kirkus Reviews

https://amzn.to/4kGmlR0

Delilah Stewart is a cheerful, camera-ready meteorologist at a Baltimore TV station who loves her job—but she’s tired of not being taken seriously. When she’s assigned to cover a major weather event, she sees it as her chance to prove herself. The catch? She has to work with Jackson Clark, the no-nonsense radio meteorologist who would rather stick to his carefully ordered world than team up with her.

In And Now, Back to You, the second installment in Heartstrings by B.K. Borison, rival meteorologists are forced together to cover a historic snowstorm in Baltimore. What starts as professional friction slowly builds into undeniable chemistry—especially when forced proximity (hello, one-bed trope) turns up the heat.

Jackson thrives on lists, structure, and routine. He’s a devoted caregiver to his two younger sisters and prefers life behind the scenes. Delilah, by contrast, is spontaneous, optimistic, and a little accident-prone. She’s often dismissed as “too much,” while Jackson worries he’s not enough. Together, they create a beautiful balance—chaos meeting calm in a way that allows both of them to grow.

Their relationship unfolds with mutual respect and emotional honesty. The tension builds naturally, the steamy moments feel earned, and the romance never overshadows the story’s deeper themes of ambition, family responsibility, and self-worth.

Jackson quietly steals the show—steady, dependable, and endlessly supportive—while Delilah remains fiercely committed to her dreams. Neither changes to fit the other; instead, they challenge each other to be braver and more authentic.

With cameos from First-Time Caller and hints at what’s next in the series, this is a warm, satisfying grumpy-meets-sunshine romance that delivers heart, heat, and a perfectly timed snowstorm. An easy recommendation!

2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

AND NOW, BACK TO YOU by B.K. Borison.  Berkley (February 24, 2026). ISBN: 978-0593953143. 464p.

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Colburn Brothers, Book 2

From the publisher:

College rivals become workplace frenemies-turned-lovers in this warm, sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestseller Jill Shalvis. First, they were rivals… Now they’re stuck with each other…

Retired hockey player Caleb Colburn needs this construction project to prove himself in the family business, but he also needs to recover from the injury that ended his pro career. Too bad Emma Sumner, architect liaison and Caleb’s college nemesis, is back in town and assigned to the project. They’re going to have to see each other almost every day. Which means once again she’ll make his life a living hell.

As for Emma, her job is on the line with this big project, made all the more challenging by the project manager. Caleb was the one who had snagged the scholarship she’d desperately needed to stay in college. She’s been living hand to mouth ever since and has no intention of ever forgiving the man.

But the beautiful historic building they’re renovating is exactly the kind of project that they both love best. Their surprising common ground and a burning mutual attraction start bringing them closer and closer to a potentially explosive mistake. And that’s even before the secrets come out…

https://amzn.to/45wbAtm

I fell in love with this series when I read He Falls First, and Jill Shalvis absolutely delivers again with Free Falling, the second Colburn Brothers book. This time, we follow Caleb, and there’s far more to him than the charming exterior he shows the world. While the story works as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with book one—these brothers are swoony, imperfect disasters in the best possible way. This small‑town romance is sweet, fun, and deeply satisfying.

Caleb Colburn, a retired hockey star, is trying to prove himself in the family construction business. Taking the lead on their newest renovation project is already stressful enough, but he’s completely blindsided when the architect liaison turns out to be Emma Sumner—his fiercest college rival and harshest critic.

Back in school, Emma was everything Caleb found intimidating: brilliant, driven, and relentless. She fought tooth and nail for every opportunity, while Caleb seemed to breeze through classes and hockey, often landing the very positions she wanted most. To Emma, he was the golden boy with every advantage. To Caleb, she was the relentless overachiever who made his life harder at every turn. Now, years later, those old resentments flare the moment they’re reunited on the job site.

Forced into close collaboration, both arrive with deeply rooted assumptions and unresolved hurt. Emma still sees Caleb as the guy who had everything handed to him, and Caleb assumes Emma is back to make his life miserable. But as they work side by side, those walls begin to crack. Misconceptions fall away, vulnerabilities surface, and they slowly realize how wrong they were about each other—and how much they share beneath the surface.

Their shift from rivals to something much more is heartfelt and immensely rewarding. The tension is electric, fueled by sharp banter, lingering wounds, and undeniable chemistry. What makes their enemies‑to‑lovers arc shine is that it’s grounded in real emotional baggage rather than petty conflict. Watching that tension melt into trust and tenderness is genuinely moving.

Caleb is exactly the kind of hero I adore: protective, dependable, and kind without a hint of toxicity. There’s an emotional safety to this romance that makes it even more swoony. Emma is equally compelling—resilient, hardworking, and easy to root for. Her struggles with housing and job stability after losing nearly everything in a fire add real emotional weight, and seeing her allow herself to be vulnerable is beautiful.

The supporting cast adds so much charm, from Emma’s loyal best friend to the adorable boxers, Calvin and Klein, and Keira’s toddlers. The Colburn family dynamic remains one of the series’ strongest elements, and Caleb’s complicated relationship with his once‑abusive father—now softened by illness with no memory of his past behavior—adds a poignant layer of growth and forgiveness.

Returning to Star Falls, California, feels like coming home. The mansion renovation, the town’s falling‑star soulmate legend, and the strong sense of found family create a warm, inviting backdrop. Jill Shalvis excels at writing characters with real problems and real healing, blending humor, heart, and romance with effortless charm.

Free Falling pulled me in from the first page and never let go. It’s comforting, funny, emotionally rich, and deeply romantic—the kind of story that leaves you smiling long after you finish. If you love small‑town settings, workplace enemies‑to‑lovers tension, strong family bonds, and romances that feel supportive and genuine, this series is absolutely worth diving into. I’m looking forward to the next Colburn Brothers story.

2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FREE FALLING by Jill Shalvis. Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 3, 2026). ISBN: 978-1464243929. 384p.

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From the publisher:

In Five Years meets a millennial The Joy Luck Club in the adult debut from the author of YA Reese Pick Throwback— a funny and fresh love story of a woman thrown a curveball by fate, and the family secret that will make her question everything.

She knows what her happily ever after looks like. And it’s not him.

Cassia Park believes in soul mates. Fated love stories. It’s her family business, after all—for centuries, from Korea to Los Angeles, Park women have peered into clients’ past lives to find their one true love, their fated. This magical secret is why One & Only Matchmaking has a 100% guarantee…for everyone but Cassia.

For ten years, Cass has been searching for her fated, a man named Daniel Nam. But he’s still nowhere to be found.

And so, on the eve of her 40th birthday, Cass decides to do something for herself. She impulsively has a fling with Ellis. He’s twenty-eight, indecently handsome, and not destined to be the love of her life. But she’s surprised by their connection and their fling feels like something more—up to the moment he introduces her to his boss…Daniel Nam.

As she battles between fate and chance, head and heart, a family secret is revealed that will make her question everything she’s ever known. Cassia will have to decide if she’ll follow her fate…or make her own.

“In her adult debut, Goo creates a delightfully dramatic love story that will keep readers on their toes…A perfect blend of steamy angst and family drama makes for a love triangle that’s impossible to put down.” —Kirkus (starred)

“YA author Goo’s (Throwback) adult debut is certain to steal readers’ heart… A must-buy title that’s perfect for book groups, with themes of love, generational ties, and harmony.” —Library Journal (starred)

An Oprah Daily Most Anticipated Book of the Year
A Town & Country Most Anticipated Romance of the Year
A Goodreads New, Red-Hot Romance to Read this Year
A Harper’s Bazaar Most Anticipated Book of the Year

A READ WITH JENNA TODAY SHOW BOOK CLUB PICK

https://amzn.to/4r36Q8i

This warm, heartfelt novel blends romance with magical realism to explore fate, choice, and the courage to write your own story.

Cassia Park works in her family’s legendary matchmaking business, which has an uncanny record of success for one secret reason: the women in her family can, by reading someone’s face, slip into past timelines to discover a person’s true fated love. Despite helping countless clients find their soulmates, Cassia still hasn’t found her own—though for nearly a decade, she’s known his name: Daniel Nam, a man she’s never met and hasn’t found yet.

That certainty unravels when a bike accident introduces her to Ellis, a charming 28-year-old who stays by her side and makes her feel seen in ways she didn’t expect. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable. For Ellis, the connection is simple. For Cassia, it’s anything but—because she’s always believed her future was already written. Cassia is on the cusp of turning 40, and determined not to end up alone like her mother who rejected the family tradition. Instead, she decides to choose herself for once and indulge in a no-strings fling with Ellis. Then she discovers that his boss is Daniel—the very man she’s been waiting for.

The story explores love in all its messy, beautiful forms: the weight of expectation, the danger of overlooking what’s right in front of you, and the freedom that comes from choosing what you truly want.

Though the book includes magical realism, it’s equally grounded in Cassia’s Korean heritage and the cultural roots of her matchmaking legacy. One & Only blends humor, emotional depth, and cultural richness into a story about stepping out of destiny’s shadow and claiming your own agency.

This has all the makings of a feel-good rom-com: snappy dialogue, emotional resonance, and a heroine whose journey is both magical and deeply human. Expect heartbreak, reconciliation, family drama, an aggressive pet bird, a fiercely loyal best friend, and—of course—a happy ending.

Even readers who typically avoid love triangles or age-gap romances may find themselves swept up. Ellis is a cinnamon-roll dream—caring, considerate, quietly yearning—while Daniel is mature, steady, and utterly smitten. The tension between them keeps the pages turning, and the resolution is too delightful to spoil. Cassia’s age adds refreshing depth; it’s rare and wonderful to see a 40-year-old heroine navigating desire, identity, and destiny with such nuance.

Ultimately, this novel is charming, romantic, and a little bit magical—a story about grief and healing, about discovering who you are, and about choosing the love that feels right, not the one you were told to expect. A truly enchanting read.

2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ONE & ONLY by Maurene Goo. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (February 3, 2026). ISBN: 979-8217181162. 368p.

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