A look at some of the books coming out in January 2023. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARCs in exchange for an honest review.
The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker
Out January 10, 2023 St. Martin’s Griffin
Looking for a low-angst, closed-door contemporary romance read?
Try “The Rom-Com Agenda” by Jayne Decker. It reminded me a lot of a Sarah Adams book, so if you like her stuff, this will be right up your alley.
Eli is trying to win his ex girlfriend back. His family and friends help him do a personality makeover by watching rom-coms so he can learn how to be the perfect hero. But Leah, a new family friend, is complicating feelings!
Leah herself is interesting. She’s a former foster kid who came back to take care of her foster mother who was dying. Now her mom is gone and she’s left to pick up the pieces.
I don’t watch a ton of rom-coms so a lot went over my head but I still enjoyed this!
A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan
out January 17, 2023, St. Martin’s Griffin
A light-steam, contemporary romance.
The writing style really made this drag for me. Descriptions were low-effort (dress was amazing!) and the characters talked in circles. Realistic, but terrible for flow. Scenes went on way too long.
I got bored with all the details of the businesses of both characters. Way more detail than I needed there.
I also couldn’t understand why they wanted to stay friends for so long. It may have started out as a friends-to-lovers vibe, but in execution it was more of a slow burn.
Despite all that I still kind of want to read the previous books in the series? Can’t explain it, but it’s true.
The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe
Out January 24, 2023 Avon Books
Waiting to review until the Harper Collins Union signs a fair contract.
The Second You’re Single by Cara Tanamachi
Out January 31, 2023 St. Martin’s Griffin
Was never quite sure what this romance was trying to do. I think it went a bit long and meandered a bit as it tried to find its way.
There was a lot of weight stuff in this story that I have truly mixed feelings about. Some of it felt progressive and refreshing – the main character is fat and she’s ok with it, even though her family is fat-phobic. But then other parts were terrible and awkward. And in the end, one piece of evidence that she’s had character growth is that she’s eating more vegetables? I’d be curious about how a fat person would react to this representation. (I’m not fat.)
I did mildly enjoy it though! Lots of drama and a hero who bakes is always a treat.
And now a few I haven’t read that I’m looking forward to:
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert. (Out January 3). Hibbert’s debut YA. I’m not a big contemporary YA reader, but if anyone is going to get me to try it, it’s Hibbert.
“You Just Need to Lose Weight” (Out January 10) by Aubrey Gordon. Gordon is the co-host of the podcast “Maintenance Phase” and I’m all about debunking anti-fat myths and ways to take action.
Exes and O’s by Amy Lea. (Out January 10) I liked Lea’s other contemporary romance, so I’m eager to get on this one about a social media influence trying to find love.
Meg Loves Words 