CATEGORIES: Weekly Recap
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Latest Top Recommendations

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be utterly losing my mind over horde kings, dragon riders, or horned blood-drinking aliens, I would have suggested your crystal ball needed polishing. But then I read my first Zoey Draven novel, and everything changed. We return to the world of the Hordes of the Elthika with the story of a gifted pyroki master apprentice, Amaia, who accepts to be sent to the far nation of Karak to work at a dragon hatchery, all the while spying for the throne of Dothik. But her new home is nothing like she expected it to be, its people welcoming and kind, and its king, Alaryk, proves to be the most formidable male she’s ever met. Torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing attachment to Alaryk and his people, Amaia must decide whether to follow her heart or obey the wishes of a capricious ruler and risk losing a love like no other. If you love steam, angst, grovelling, and your hero . . . ahem . . . pierced in more places than one, this book hits all the spots, and more.

Read More...

Unlike any other book I’ve ever read, this tender love story caught me by surprise and held on tight. It follows Morgan and Sawyer, two complete strangers with very little in common except that they’re both being haunted by their exes. They meet at a support group for haunted humans and soon realise they can help each other. But while Morgan cannot wait to part ways with the misbehaving spectre of her one-night stand, Sawyer is still mourning and clinging to the ghost of his fiancée in the house they’d planned to redesign together. As they both begin to develop feelings for each other, the story morphs into a poignant alchemy of grief and love, an exploration of all the ways love can flourish after loss, even when the heart continues to ache for all it’s lost. A slow-burn romance that is equal parts witty, romantic, sexy, and hauntingly moving.

Read More...

I’ve never come across a Sarah MacLean novel that I didn’t absolutely devour, but this book—this fascinating, almost theatrically dramatic gem of a story—stole my heart. A wealthy New England family is shaken by the sudden loss of its larger-than-life patriarch, but no one more so than its prodigal daughter—Alice Storm. After five years of being cast out from the family and forging her own path in life, Alice returns to her family’s private island to pay her final respects to her father. But shortly after arriving there, she realises that her eccentric, controlling father is not done manipulating Alice and her siblings even from beyond the grave, forcing them all to spend one week together on the island in order to receive the inheritance. By exploring the real, messy, and deeply broken dynamics of a family brought together by guilt and grief, but ultimately bound to one another by love, MacLean delivers a powerful story riddled with drama, secrets, and family mayhem, as well as a generous dash of heartwarming romance. A superb read.

Read More...

Kristen Ashley continues to infuse her stories with such depth of emotion that I can see myself re-reading her novels until I’m old and gray. The latest River Rain instalment is a richly layered tale of second chances in life, of redemption, of forgiveness, of knowing our self-worth and believing in the best version of ourselves, no matter how hard our demons fight to break us down. A former celebrity mean girl, Blake Sharp is trying hard to move on from her past and from under the thumb of her controlling mother, but she never expected to find an ally in her childhood frenemy and occasional bully, retired Scottish rugby player and playboy, Alasdair Wallace. When fate suddenly throws them together, an unexpected connection emerges between them, followed by immediate attraction and chemistry, but learning to trust each other with their hearts and not letting their pasts stand in the way is a battle they will both have to fight for what they want the most. A joy to read!

Read More...

Bookish News

We have the cover of the third book in Riley Hart‘s Sins of the Father series, out in February 2026. This is Shai’s story.

Read More...

Max Monroe has revealed the cover of the third book in their Dickson University series, a best friends to lovers romance, out in January 2026.

Read More...

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NBJ WEEKLY RECAP

New & Upcoming Releases; Bookish News; Latest Top Recommendations

30 December, 2025

NEW RELEASES

FIRST LOVE + SECOND CHANCES + ROCK STAR

He was my first love.
My first heartbreak.
The boy who made the one mistake I’ll never forgive.
Roderick Wilder and I grew up side by side—two kids tangled up in music, mixtapes, and lyrics that felt like they belonged only to us. Then he destroyed everything we had and disappeared, chasing a future without me.
Twelve years later, he’s back.
Not the rising star I remember, but a man who’s broken, scarred, and desperate to rewrite his story.
The problem? I’ve already started falling for someone else—an anonymous stranger I trade late-night messages with, sharing lyrics and reliving the bands that shaped us.
He feels safe.
He feels new.
He feels like everything Roderick isn’t.
But soon I might need to choose between the stranger who makes me believe again . . . and the boy who once destroyed me.

This is a standalone novel in the all-new Heartbreak Mixtapes series.

Series recommended reading order: (Not So) Simple Lyrics | Lyrics Remain Unchanged (Feb 2026)

Click to Read An Excerpt


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print | Audio

BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND + FRIENDS TO LOVERS + HE FALLS FIRST + SMALL TOWN

A homecoming to Rome, Kentucky, sparks a new romance—and lots of drama—between two old family friends…

Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is her shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend.

James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and running the family business. But when Madison’s happiness is on the line, he’s willing to take up his estranged brother’s offer to launch a restaurant. James has loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance, but now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that.

Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy restaurant in record time, but keeping things strictly professional soon becomes impossible, and the town can’t help but meddle in their relationship. As opening night looms closer, Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back.

When an unexpected disaster collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.

This is a standalone romance in the Rome, Kentucky series.

Series recommended reading order: When in RomePractice Makes Perfect | Beg, Borrow, or Steal | In Your Dreams


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print | Audio

ENEMIES TO LOVERS + FAKE DATING + AGE GAP + BILLIONAIRE + GRUMPY/SUNSHINE + FORCED PROXIMITY

They say all is fair in love and war. Clearly, they haven’t met Warner Landers.

The ruthless billionaire had me begging him to spare my family’s restaurant from a buyout. In response, he shamelessly flirted and walked away wearing a smug smirk.

Karma strikes, literally, when he crosses the street.

Unconscious, he’s rushed to the hospital, and for some unknown reason, I’m swept in right after him as if I know this man—or worse, that I’m married to him.

Am I in too much shock to deny the allegation? Yes.
Am I still using his short-term amnesia to my advantage? Absolutely.

Playing the doting wife to a grumpy CEO won’t be easy, but I’m determined to save my family’s livelihood. I just didn’t expect him to be a changed man after the accident. Far graver (for me), the iciness between us begins to thaw, and our fake marriage starts to feel real, making it easy to forget my mission.

When his memory begins to return, so does the truth. We’re at war, and falling for the enemy wasn’t part of the plan.

This is a standalone novel.


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print | Audio

ROMANTIC FANTASY + ARRANGED MARRIAGE + LOVERS TO ENEMIES + MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE

King Brey and Queen Ethel were once in love—until they became husband and wife.

While Brey was instantly infatuated upon meeting his betrothed, the arrangement made by her father was an unwelcome surprise for Ethel. Forced to surrender all she knew, Ethel did so reluctantly, and her torn heart broke her husband’s.

Now, the two live lazily in a palace too small for their bitter feelings and venomous words.

But their reign of indulgence has been costly, and they must finally put their union to good use by replenishing the wards that protect vampirekind.

To complete the deadly tasks awaiting them, they will need to cast their hatred aside and work together—or they could lose far more than a chance to salvage their bloodthirsty love.

This is a standalone novel.


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print

MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE + BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND + SMALL TOWN

My best friend’s little sister has been getting under my skin for decades. She’s my lifelong nemesis and now—apparently—my wife.

When Willa Jameson stumbled into my bar drunk, heartbroken, and desperate to save her family farm, I offered to marry her. For “convenience.”

Which is hilarious, because nothing about my attraction to this hurricane with hips has ever been convenient.

Now we’re sharing a roof, a bed, and a potential felony thanks to our fake marriage.

It’s supposed to be a favor between not-quite-friends-but-not-quite-enemies. Then our late-night arguments turn into practice make out sessions.

But according to her, that changes absolutely nothing between us.

No matter how many lines we draw, we keep crossing them—in the kitchen, on the porch, in the tiny bed that’s become both heaven and hell.

And the woman who swears she hates me starts looking at me like I might be exactly what she needs.

She calls me her temporary husband. I call her my daily torture, because every day we play house, it feels less like pretending and more like home.

When this ends, I don’t know how I’m going to forget what it felt like to call her mine. So either I walk away with her, or I don’t walk away at all.

This is a standalone novel in the Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove series.

Series recommended reading order: The Grump Next Door | The Live-In Temptation | The Mr and Mrs Mistake


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print | Audio

SECOND CHANCES + SURPRISE PREGNANCY + AMNESIA + SMALL TOWN

The day my husband died, a piece of me died with him.
It was ripped away by the stone-faced officers sent to my doorstep.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I might get that piece back.
And I was right.

Because, while the man I’ve loved for nearly twenty years isn’t as physically gone as I was led to believe, everything that made him who he was, is.

He’s forgotten everything. The life we shared. The years of infertility we battled. Me.

If I want to save the family we worked so hard to build, I have to show him why he loved me. Why he chose me to be his wife. Why he should choose me again.

What’s more… I have to tell him I’m pregnant and that he has to raise a child he doesn’t know he wanted with a woman he can’t remember loving.

But it’s not long before I discover the missing piece I prayed for might not fit. And that I may not be able to fall back in love with the stranger my husband has become.

This is a standalone novel.


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print

FRIENDS TO LOVERS + FAKE DATING + WORKPLACE ROMANCE

“Try me.”

That’s what Drake Bennett said when I declared on my live podcast that no man could make me fall in love. The former pro football star turned sportscaster didn’t just laugh—he challenged my entire brand.

Gianna Knows Things is built on the idea that love is a choice. Drake says it’s a feeling—a magical, uncontrollable, world-shifting experience.

I call BS. He says I’m scared.

The audacity.

So, we make a bet. Six weeks of dating … in front of millions of listeners. If I don’t fall for him, I win. If I do … don’t worry. Not going to happen.

I expected spicy nights and viral ratings. What I didn’t expect was thoughtful surprises, spontaneous affection, and moments that make my heart do strange things.

Drake isn’t who I thought he was, and I can’t tell what scares me more: that he’s been playing me all along or that I’m wrong about love. Either way, someone’s about to get hurt—and I hope it’s not me.

This is a standalone novel.


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

SMALL TOWN

Living in Dalton, Montana, was not what I had planned for this winter. But after my father’s sudden death, I uprooted my life to move into his tiny lakeside cabin and settle his estate. My friends tell me to sell his place and move on. But this winter is my chance to say goodbye. To remember a man who’d loved tales of Montana lore.

Taking a temporary teaching job seemed like the perfect way to keep myself busy on lonely days. Cleaning out the cabin should have been simple. Except the more I learn about my father’s life, the more questions I have about his death.

The last thing I need is a crush on Sheriff Cosi Raynes. Not only is his son my student, but his life is rooted in Montana, while mine is headed…anywhere else.

Yet as I uncover a trail of strange clues Dad left behind about a lost legend of Montana gold, staying away from Cosi is not an option. Neither is denying the attraction between us. And my winter of healing becomes a race for answers.

I came to Montana to bury the past. Now I’m falling for the man who might just be my future. And either I’ll solve this mystery, or the person in Dalton determined to hide the truth will make sure I die trying.

This is a standalone novel.


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Print | Audio

FANTASY ROMANCE

When everything falls apart, the truth of who they are is revealed.

Poppy has fallen into stasis, her body broken and power spent, carried beyond the mortal realm. While she lies suspended in dreams, Casteel faces a world without her—raw, wrathful, and altered in ways he doesn’t yet understand.

Left to steady a kingdom trembling under the weight of loss, Kieran shoulders what he cannot say aloud, even as the fractures between gods, mortals, and fate widen around him.

In the days that follow, grief becomes a guide, loyalty a burden, and love the only thing holding the realms together.

These are the pieces that fill the silence. The moments of wrath, ruin, resolve, and the spark of what must come next.

This is a novella in the Blood and Ash series which reveals the unseen moments of love, loss, and change that happened between The Primal of Blood and Bone and The Throne of Bone and Ash (2026).

Series reading order: From Blood and Ash | A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire | The Crown of Gilded Bones | The War of Two Queens | A Soul of Ash and Blood | The Primal of Blood and Bone | A Crown of Ruin (novella)


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

SOUTHERN MAFIA ROMANCE

A deep chuckle sent a bolt of pleasure through me. “Damn, you’re sweet. Lucky for you I’ve got a conscience and I’m gonna walk away.”
Wait, what? Walk away?
He reached out and took a lock of my hair, then twirled it around his finger before dropping it with a sigh.
“Why … why are you walking away?” I blurted, desperate to keep him here.
His eyes seemed to twinkle with something, but whether it was amusement or not, I couldn’t tell. There was a darkness there too. I’d seen it before. It felt a bit threatening, but then he’d smile, and it would vanish. All that was left was the clear blue.
“Because I don’t break pretty things,” he said before giving me one last look, then left me standing there, feeling as if he’d sucked every ounce of joy from my life.

Kash Savelle hadn’t broken me, he’d shattered my world. I was alone, lost, and clawing to make it day to day. I should hate him and not a day passed that I wished I could. Seeing him again was the last thing I needed. Not when I almost had some form of security. But like the devil himself, there he was… standing on the street watching me. Still as painfully beautiful as he had always been.

Betrayal had never been something I’d experienced until Cressida Beck stole my soul, then ripped it from my body. My obsession with her had caused me to lose the life I’d been raised in, my family. I was exiled to Alabama to live with that branch of the southern mafia. No longer trusted in Mississippi, until now. This year, I was getting to come home for Christmas. Seeing the girl who had ruined me wouldn’t break me this time. I wouldn’t lose it all for her again. I just had to keep a firm grip on my sanity and stop seeking her out like the animal inside me that hadn’t stopped craving her.

This is a novella in the Mississippi Smoke series—set in the same world as the Smoke, Judgement and Georgia Smoke series.

Series recommended reading order: Tore Up | Hotter ‘N Hell | Oh, Hell No | Outlaw | Hell or High Water | All Jacked Up | All Tied Up | Hell of a Mess | Hell of a Christmas (novella)


Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

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More New Releases...

Latest Top Recommendations

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be utterly losing my mind over horde kings, dragon riders, or horned blood-drinking aliens, I would have suggested your crystal ball needed polishing. But then I read my first Zoey Draven novel, and everything changed. We return to the world of the Hordes of the Elthika with the story of a gifted pyroki master apprentice, Amaia, who accepts to be sent to the far nation of Karak to work at a dragon hatchery, all the while spying for the throne of Dothik. But her new home is nothing like she expected it to be, its people welcoming and kind, and its king, Alaryk, proves to be the most formidable male she’s ever met. Torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing attachment to Alaryk and his people, Amaia must decide whether to follow her heart or obey the wishes of a capricious ruler and risk losing a love like no other. If you love steam, angst, grovelling, and your hero . . . ahem . . . pierced in more places than one, this book hits all the spots, and more.

Read More...

Unlike any other book I’ve ever read, this tender love story caught me by surprise and held on tight. It follows Morgan and Sawyer, two complete strangers with very little in common except that they’re both being haunted by their exes. They meet at a support group for haunted humans and soon realise they can help each other. But while Morgan cannot wait to part ways with the misbehaving spectre of her one-night stand, Sawyer is still mourning and clinging to the ghost of his fiancée in the house they’d planned to redesign together. As they both begin to develop feelings for each other, the story morphs into a poignant alchemy of grief and love, an exploration of all the ways love can flourish after loss, even when the heart continues to ache for all it’s lost. A slow-burn romance that is equal parts witty, romantic, sexy, and hauntingly moving.

Read More...

I’ve never come across a Sarah MacLean novel that I didn’t absolutely devour, but this book—this fascinating, almost theatrically dramatic gem of a story—stole my heart. A wealthy New England family is shaken by the sudden loss of its larger-than-life patriarch, but no one more so than its prodigal daughter—Alice Storm. After five years of being cast out from the family and forging her own path in life, Alice returns to her family’s private island to pay her final respects to her father. But shortly after arriving there, she realises that her eccentric, controlling father is not done manipulating Alice and her siblings even from beyond the grave, forcing them all to spend one week together on the island in order to receive the inheritance. By exploring the real, messy, and deeply broken dynamics of a family brought together by guilt and grief, but ultimately bound to one another by love, MacLean delivers a powerful story riddled with drama, secrets, and family mayhem, as well as a generous dash of heartwarming romance. A superb read.

Read More...

Kristen Ashley continues to infuse her stories with such depth of emotion that I can see myself re-reading her novels until I’m old and gray. The latest River Rain instalment is a richly layered tale of second chances in life, of redemption, of forgiveness, of knowing our self-worth and believing in the best version of ourselves, no matter how hard our demons fight to break us down. A former celebrity mean girl, Blake Sharp is trying hard to move on from her past and from under the thumb of her controlling mother, but she never expected to find an ally in her childhood frenemy and occasional bully, retired Scottish rugby player and playboy, Alasdair Wallace. When fate suddenly throws them together, an unexpected connection emerges between them, followed by immediate attraction and chemistry, but learning to trust each other with their hearts and not letting their pasts stand in the way is a battle they will both have to fight for what they want the most. A joy to read!

Read More...

Bookish News

We have the cover of the third book in Riley Hart‘s Sins of the Father series, out in February 2026. This is Shai’s story.

Read More...

Max Monroe has revealed the cover of the third book in their Dickson University series, a best friends to lovers romance, out in January 2026.

Read More...

Upcoming Releases

6 Jan

6 Jan

8 Jan

8 Jan

9 Jan

11 Dec

13 Jan

13 Jan

13 Jan

13 Jan

13 Jan

15 Jan

20 Jan

23 Jan

23 Jan

27 Jan

27 Jan

27 Jan

27 Jan

30 Jan

3 Feb

3 Feb

3 Feb

5 Feb

10 Feb

10 Feb

17 Feb

17 Feb

22 Feb

24 Feb

24 Feb

28 Feb

3 Mar

3 Mar

3 Mar

3 Mar

3 Mar

17 Mar

More Upcoming Releases...

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