Contrasting Covers

📖 Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
🗂️ CASE FILE //217-26: CLOSED
Sharp banter, unforgettable chemistry, and plenty of laughs made this one an easy read. While the story wasn't perfect from start to finish, the characters absolutely carried it, and I had a great time watching their relationship unfold.
If you love witty contemporary romances with plenty of steam and heart, this one is definitely worth putting on your radar. ❤️
What's one romance book where the chemistry completely won you over?

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We're officially halfway through the year, and narrowing our favorites down to just FIVE each was nearly impossible!
These are the books that completely captured our attention in 2026 (so far), plus a few honorable mentions that we couldn't leave out.
Whether you're into romantasy, fantasy, thrillers, hockey romance, or small-town romance, there's a little something for everyone on these lists!
Now it's your turn!�What's been your favorite read of 2026 so far? Have we included one of your favorites, or are we adding something new to your TBR?
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📖 Every Summer After – Carley Fortune

This was a really solid summer read, but it didn’t completely live up to the hype for me.

The biggest win? Friends to lovers. 🩵 I absolutely loved watching Percy and Sam grow up together over summers at the lake. It reminded me a little of my husband and me, and those childhood memories and traditions gave the story so much heart.

The setting was easily one of my favorite parts. I could practically feel the sun on the dock, hear the water, and picture Barry’s Bay. Carley Fortune did an amazing job making the lake feel like a perfect setting. I especially loved the swimming tradition and Percy pushing herself to finally accomplish it—it was one of my favorite moments in the book.

That said… the present-day storyline frustrated me almost immediately. 😅 You know from the beginning that Percy made a huge mistake, and I spent so much of the book waiting for the reveal. Unfortunately, I guessed what happened pretty early on, so the big twist/reveal didn’t have much impact for me.

And can we talk about the miscommunication? 😩 There were so many moments where I just wanted these characters to sit down and have one honest conversation. Everyone felt a little too whiny at times, which kept me from fully connecting with them.

Even with those frustrations, there were plenty of sweet moments, great banter, and sarcasm that made me smile. If you’re looking for an emotional, nostalgic romance with beautiful lake vibes, check it out!

💗 Favorite Things

Friends-to-lovers romance
Summer nostalgia and lake setting
The childhood flashbacks
Witty sarcasm and cute moments
The swimming tradition storyline

😬 Didn’t Love

The miscommunication
I guessed the big reveal early
The present-day mystery dragged on a little too long

Have you read this yet or watched the new series?

This week's One Prompt, Three Picks challenge is all about the perfect beach read! 🌊
We each picked the one book we'd happily toss into our beach bag and shared why we'd choose it. Whether you're looking for laugh-out-loud romance, Old Hollywood drama, or all the nostalgic feels, there's a little something for every kind of reader.
Now it's your turn! 👇
🏝️ What book would YOU pack to take to the beach?

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Happy Book Map Monday, besties! 💕
This week we're exploring the gorgeous map inside Starside by Alex Aster, and wow, this one is packed with detail! From the winding forests and towering mountain ranges to the mysterious City on Fire and the Traveling City, every corner of this map makes you want to stop reading for a minute just to explore. 🤩
As a self-proclaimed map nerd, I especially love the intricate linework, the hand-drawn style, and how every landmark feels like it has its own story waiting to be told. Fantasy maps that make the world feel alive? Immediate yes. 👏📖
Question of the day:�Do you stop to study the map before you start a fantasy book, or do you flip back to it as you read? Let us know in the comments! 👇
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