Tag romance

The book cover depicts a woman standing on a bed and leaning against a wall, with her eyes closed and face upturned towards the ceiling. Her lips are red and match her red dress, fastened over a white underskirt. Her long brown hair tumbles around her bare shoulders. The dress is in the style of the 1700's and the scene has a dark, Gothic feel, although she appears to be lit by natural light from a nearby window.

The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas 

Alex Higgins Leave a comment
The book cover depicts a woman standing on a bed and leaning against a wall, with her eyes closed and face upturned towards the ceiling. Her lips are red and match her red dress, fastened over a white underskirt. Her long brown hair tumbles around her bare shoulders. The dress is in the style of the 1700's and the scene has a dark, Gothic feel, although she appears to be lit by natural light from a nearby window.

by Alex H.

If you’re anything like me, September 1 marks the start of Halloween season (yes, season). There’s no better way to celebrate the start of all things scary and ghoulish than by reading a horror novel, and that’s what I did when I picked up Isabel Cañas’ newest book, The Possession of Alba Díaz. If you like ghosts, Mexican history, and gothic romance, this is the story for you!

The Possession of Alba Díaz is set in Zacatecas, Mexico in 1765. When a plague descends on her city, a young woman named Alba and her family retreat into the mountains. They take refuge at a mine owned by Alba’s fiancé and his family, but it is not the safe haven they were promised. Alba starts sleepwalking and hearing strange voices from deep in the mine, but most worrying of all is how she no longer feels alone in her own head. 

Meanwhile, Elías, the black sheep of her fiancé’s family, has arrived in the New World hoping to quickly make his fortune and escape his greedy family. His plan falls apart when he meets Alba and the two are drawn to one another, despite her rather inconvenient engagement to his cousin and the demon lurking under her skin. Lucky for Alba, Elías knows a thing or two about demons… 

I raced through this book. Cañas does a wonderful job of blending history and the paranormal to create a rich, fully lived-in world. Her two narrators, Alba and Elías, have voices that are distinct and wholly compelling, which makes for an electric romance. As for the horror aspect, Alba’s possession takes up a large chunk of the novel and there are more than a few creepy scenes. I’d say they lean more towards unsettling than scary, but your mileage may vary. 

Come for the haunted mine and angry demon, stay for the gothic romance and a delightfully wicked ending that’ll have you desperate for more historical horror this Halloween season. 

The Possession of Alba Díaz is available in print from HCLS in English and Spanish, and as an e-book and an e-audiobook from Libby/OverDrive.

Alex is a Teen Instructor & Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch. When she’s not at the library, she likes to crochet cute animals, read all the horror and romance books she can get her hands on, and write stories about things that go bump in the night. 

A warm painting shows a cozy cottage in dappled sunshine at the top of steps, on which a winged cat lounges.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Kristen B. Leave a comment
A warm painting shows a cozy cottage in dappled sunshine at the top of steps, on which a winged cat lounges.

by Kristen B.

Some books have it all: A courageous librarian, an ambulatory talking spider plant, winged cats, cloud bears, and a romantic interest who rides sea horses. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst gives you a warm hug in the form of a book. That’s not to say it’s only cozy vibes and no plot – there’s plenty of story to keep you reading.

Kiela and her assistant Caz (the sentient plant) flee political unrest that sets fire to the Great Library of Alyssium. Kiela, who has been preparing for this unfortunate reality, packs as many books as she can, herself, and Caz into a boat and sets sail for the island where her family originally came from. She makes it across open waters to Caltrey, where the cottage she remembers from childhood still stands.

It turns out that the political upheaval in the capital city has also had consequences on this faraway island. Imperial sorcerers no longer travel, and magic has become unbalanced, causing huge storms and other troubles. However, the books Kiela rescued are mostly magical spellbooks. The chapters where she and Caz test spells through pure trial and error are delightful. The drawback is that unlicensed magic is illegal, so Kiela ends up opening a jam shop and providing “remedies” on the side (fooling no one).

As she settles in, Kiela makes all sorts of wonderful friends. She also reconnects with Larran, a childhood friend who now happens to be a helpful, handy, and handsome neighbor. Although a natural introvert, Kiela soon discovers the importance of connections and trust within a small community. The found family at the center of the book comes together to see everyone through a series of mishaps and misfortunes, including a suspiciously behaved Imperial citizen who washes up during a big storm. Sorting out the unexpected visitor drives the second half of this gentle book.

The joy of this sort of cozy fantasy is that even though stakes are high, and certainly Kiela feels as though her world is ending, people help each other and make it through. Cozy fantasy is the counterweight to all the dread-full, grim-dark fantasy that has been dominating the genre in recent years. The Spellshop might be as far from A Song of Ice and Fire as a reader can get and still be reading in the same fantasy genre. And that’s okay. It’s good to have a wide variety of books to suit all different readers and moods. Honestly, while it might not make sense if you use strict logic, The Spellshop makes perfect sense to your heart with its hopeful outlook on a world in turmoil.

I am looking forward to reading the second book, The Enchanted Greenhouse, about the magician who created Caz and the second chances she is given.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is available in print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball (but not all at the same time).

A blue skull and type appear ghostly against a black background. An X and a heart appear in the eye sockets.

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

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A blue skull and type appear ghostly against a black background. An X and a heart appear in the eye sockets.

by JP Landolt

“Mmm-kay?! Make it work!” I said in my best Tim Gunn voice, cackling and carrying on with my girlfriends. Missy and Rachel are crumpled against me on either side. We’re squished together on the bottom mattress of their dorm room’s bunkbed. Thelma’s hair spills over the top of the bunk framing her face in a dizzying array of red and black. She’s upside down and laughing hysterically. Jen is folded in half, bracing her side after falling on the floor. She’s silently laughing, red-faced, and breathless. Everyone was thoroughly amused by my overly dramatic storytelling, especially when describing a particularly racy scene in one of Jen’s romance paperbacks. Unfortunately, the dean lived directly below this room, and soon the stern knocking from below forced us to freeze. “Oh dear!” I remarked, as a sultry Tim Gunn, and another boisterous round of laughter ensued.  
 
That was me. A naive eighteen-year-old exploring the genre we shall refer to as “super spicy romance.” Embarrassing, exciting, and 100% for adult readers only.  

Now that my prefrontal cortex has fully matured (LIES) and I have more than 20 years of distance from blushing on the bottom of that bunkbed (OMG), I’ve explored nearly every genre of spicy, adult romance: Fae, gangsters, dragons, hockey players, fractured fairy tales, hackers, Hollywood, vampires, wolves, rockstars, gargoyles, cowboys, billionaires, and psychos. If you’re not familiar with this genre, let me assure you that the list is immense and overwhelming – and constantly growing. Seriously, romance can be anything from wholesome and cozy to downright sadistic. I literally just put down a book whose jacket described it as a cozy racoon-shifter polyamorous romance.  

Today, I submit Lights Out for your dark romance reading pleasure. Lights Out is spicy, with morally gray characters, and packed with trigger warnings. In fact, after reading these trigger warnings, some readers may consider another title. Not me! There was one trigger that hit squarely in the center of my morbid curiosity. Which one? Not telling. Let’s just say if you enjoy true crime or serial killer docuseries, this book could be a good fit. 

I opted to listen to this book because it’s written in duet and I’m a huge fan of Jacob Morgan (aka Zachary Webber). His voice just makes my heart purr. He voices our main male character, Josh, who has a complicated family history which makes his social media and masked proclivities even more telling. He had me giggling on the bottom bunk all over again thanks to a fast-paced story with a well-written sense of humor set against the silliness of those feelings that come from having crushes…and maybe stalking? I wouldn’t know.  

While our heroine, Aly, is a pragmatic yet bratty trauma nurse who should be more concerned about the unfolding events than she is. She’s got her own questionable tendencies. Not to mention, her suspicious familial relations that definitely slide from morally gray to jet-black. Finally, Josh and Aly’s chemistry is – chef’s kiss! 

Lights Out is the first book of the Into Darkness trilogy by Navessa Allen and book two, Caught Up, should be available in June. I simply cannot wait to find out where this relationship is going and what other crazy situations Josh and Aly get into with his high-tech hackery and her sheer audacity.   

Lights Out by Navessa Allen is available in print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

JP Landolt has worked for HCLS since 2006. You may find her gallivanting through Maryland’s parks on beautiful, breezy days.  

The book cover shows a Regency gentleman dressed in blue and a Regency lady dressed in gold, facing each other beneath a theatre curtain. Her arms are crossed and a handkerchief trails from her hand.

To Marry and To Meddle

juliefitzreader Leave a comment
The book cover shows a Regency gentleman dressed in blue and a Regency lady dressed in gold, facing each other beneath a theatre curtain. Her arms are crossed and a handkerchief trails from her hand.

By Julie F.

Are you a historical romance fan who is waiting impatiently for the next season of Bridgerton? A reader of Loretta Chase or Sarah MacLean on the hunt for a new author? Look no further than Martha Waters and her Regency Vows novels.

There are five books in this loosely linked series. The first two, To Have and To Hoax and To Love and To Loathe, are delightful stories with witty conversation and clever turns of plot. To Marry and To Meddle, however, is my favorite so far. Not being a regular romance reader (I’m more of a British police procedural fan), I’ve been pleased to find them all so clever and enjoyable.

Lady Emily has always deferred to a very proper mother who is full of (unreasonable) expectations for her daughter; Lord Julian is a ne’er-do-well who owns a theatre and is practically disowned by his father for doing so. When the two acquaintances are thrown together at a country house party, a hasty marriage of convenience ensues. Julian helps her escape her domineering family, and Emily cloaks him in respectability – but will their relationship develop further, and will their families come to accept them as they are? Of course, the lovers are at cross-purposes for much of the novel; Julian, who initially views Emily’s interest in his business as her opportunity “to meddle,” may or may not come to accept and even value Emily’s innovative ideas and contributions to his theatre. Emily, in turn, hopes that her status as a young bride will give her time with her new husband and a chance to make a difference outside the traditional, accepted realms of ballroom and drawing room.

I liked the sharp wit and also the gentle playfulness of the story – including antics involving a stray kitten nicknamed Cecil Beelzebub Lucifer by his lordship. The main characters, who are winsome and intelligent, are exceptionally strong and well-rounded; even though they live in a very different time and place, the author is skilled at making them relatable, creating deft portraits of real people with both dilemmas and personal triumphs through dialogue and description.

Author Martha Waters does a great job of tying the series together through each set of lovers in a broader group of aristocratic English friends, and I’m already looking forward to the next one, To Swoon and To Spar – which will feature Viscount Penvale and his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer – followed by To Woo and To Wed.

To Marry and To Meddle is available in print and as an e-book from Libby.

Julie is an instructor and research specialist at HCLS Miller Branch who finds her work as co-editor of Chapter Chats very rewarding. She loves gardening, birds, crime and espionage fiction, all kinds of music, and the great outdoors.

Brightly colored, large italicized lettering appears doubled on a black cover. Stickers added for New York Times best seller and the Good Morning America Book Club.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Kristen B. Leave a comment
Brightly colored, large italicized lettering appears doubled on a black cover. Stickers added for New York Times best seller and the Good Morning America Book Club.

by Kristen B.

As the story begins, the main character is finishing a series of rather hush-hush job interviews. When she learns she got the new position, she hears the words, “We have time travel.” Welcome to The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, which plays with the notion that sometime in the future, we figure out how to travel in time.

It’s one of the biggest question about time travel: Can we improve the present – avert some disaster – by changing the past? This story seems a little different, more scientific at the start – wondering if it’s even possible for humans to exist outside of their own time. The Ministry devises an experiment where they “rescue” certain individuals known to have died in tragic or terrible ways: a doomed trip to discover the Northwest Passage, a plague house in the 1600s, the trenches of WWI, and other such horrible histories. Those individuals feel more like they’ve been kidnapped than rescued.

The book’s narrator, who gets that job with the Ministry (but never a name), is assigned to be a bridge between Graham Gore, officer of the Royal Navy in the early nineteenth century, and her time period in near future London. She insists on referring to him as being Victorian, but his time was actually just before Victoria’s reign began. The first third of the book delights in Gore’s observations of modern life and conveniences. But clearly, something is amiss in the Ministry. The main character just can’t quite figure it out but strange happenings keep occuring, like her handler being assassinated at a public event and certain time travelers being invisible to scanners. Other things don’t add up either, although it becomes clear there are warring factions within the Ministry. No one is quite sure who to trust.

Graham and our narrator spend almost all their time together: learning modern skills like riding a bike (which eventually improves to a motorcycle), touring museums, and going to pubs with other time traveler/bridge pairs. One session admiring a Turner exhibit at the Tate is particularly insightful. Graham becomes good friends with two other people out of time, one of whom is my favorite character. Maggie was left to die in a plague house, but she comes to embrace London’s club scene and dating apps where she can be openly gay. These friendships prove to be crucial not only to the characters’ well-being, but to the ultimate resolution of the story.

On top of the fascinating premise, the author has a gorgeous way with words. One character is described as, “Despite being out of uniform, he looked oddly formal, as if he was as the sole person in serif font.” I don’t want to spoil the surprise of this excellent debut. What ensues in the second half of the book is a complete mash-up of time travel, spy thriller, and romance into a beautifully written novel about the dangers of colonialism. Bradley really does tell you everything you need to know in the first chapter, only I didn’t realize it until I re-read it after the devastatingly bonkers ending. This is a book I’ll think about often and already have plans to re-read.

You can borrow the book in print or large print now, but there’s a bit of wait for the e-book and e-audiobook versions.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball (but not all at the same time).

The book cover shows a city skyline reflected in water in the moonlight, with several small boats approaching, one with a passenger facing the shore.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Kristen B. Leave a comment
The book cover shows a city skyline reflected in water in the moonlight, with several small boats approaching, one with a passenger facing the shore.

by Kristen B.

Sometimes, a quirky book comes into your life at just the right time. Water Moon was that book for me recently, during a high-stress time. It’s a delightful, cozy sort of fantasy set in a Japanese-inspired mythology, and it feels like an anime show that could air on a Saturday morning.

As the story opens, Ishikawa Hana is ready to take the reins of her family’s pawnshop when her father retires. It’s an unusual shop; only people who need it can find it, sitting tucked next to a popular ramen restaurant. The shop allows people to bargain away their greatest regrets. Kei is a nuclear physicist who is in Japan to work on the Super-K conductor looking for neutrinos. He’s in Tokyo for ramen – and hoping for a little wish fulfillment. Kei stumbles into the pawnshop and finds Hana standing amid ransacked wreckage.

Hana’s father has disappeared, on the run from mysterious figures who collect the regrets that are bargained away every month. The Shiikuin have no mercy for those who stray outside their roles. Hana’s father, Ishikawa Toshio, seems to have stolen one of the regrets, which take the shape of brightly-colored birds, and fled. When Kei wanders in looking for ramen, he immediately offers Hana all the help he can.

Hana then introduces Kei to the world on the other side of the puddle, where magic has its own rules that run counter to everything Kei thinks he knows. The two adventure through dreamlike sequences in a rather episodic manner, which made me think it would be a great animated show. They visit Hana’s grandmother’s tea house, explore the floating Night Market, and experience falling through a paper door and being folded like origami, among other memorable vignettes. All the while, Hana and Kei try to stay one step ahead of the cruel monsters on their trail.

While they are running and solving puzzles, Hana constantly tells Kei that things are not what they seem. The two have an instant connection and spend the course of the story falling in love while being sure they can’t be together. Hana is engaged to a childhood friend, and Kei is from our world, not hers. But, the story wonders, what is the price of happiness? What duty do we owe to how things are “supposed to be?” How do you set aside expectations so you can truly live your most authentic life?

All these weighty questions are wrapped up in spare, lovely prose and a fast-moving plot. You keep reading to find out how they escape the next pickle, always looking for Hana’s missing parents – and the answer to how you get to be with the one you love. Things might not be as they seem, but the resolution is wonderfully, romantically satisfying.

Water Moon is available from HCLS in print and as an e-book and e-audiobook on Libby.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball (but not all at the same time).

The image depicts the main characters of the book, John and Emily, against the backdrop of a Wordle puzzle spelling out the title. Emily holds her cell phone her hand and has the other hand in John's hair; he is embracing her.

A Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James

Alex Higgins Leave a comment
The image depicts the main characters of the book, John and Emily, against the backdrop of a Wordle puzzle spelling out the title. Emily holds her cell phone her hand and has the other hand in John's hair; he is embracing her.

by Alex H.

Calling all Wordle lovers! A Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James is perfect for anyone who enjoys New York Times word games, quaint small towns, and romances that are light and fluffy but still have a touch of angst to keep things exciting. 

Emily, a young woman living on Prince Edward Island, desperately wants to find her dream job. She’s not quite sure what that is yet, but certainly it must be something creative and exciting in a big city, not…well, not working as a receptionist at a mechanic’s shop in small-town Canada. While she tries to figure that out, she’s working on achieving a 365-day streak on Wordle. One disastrous night puts her streak in peril, but she saves it with help from the most unlikely source—her coworker, John, whom she’d previously written off as irritating and aloof. Of course, we the readers know that his quiet and unassuming demeanor is just an act, and Emily soon finds that he’s not so bad after all. Maybe he’s even…attractive? And fun to be around?!

While Emily tries to find her place in the world and maintain her Wordle streak, her romance with John heats up and makes her wonder if the dream life she’s been searching for has been in front of her this whole time. I enjoyed this book not because it reinvents the wheel, but because it delivers what it promises—a quick and easy romance with plenty of quirky characters and Wordle shenanigans. Sometimes you want a book that’ll keep you entertained for a few hours without using too much brain power, and this book perfectly filled that need for me.  

That’s not to say that this book is just a bunch of fluff, however. Amy James did a great job depicting Emily’s tumultuous emotional journey as she redefines what her “dream” life looks like. Sometimes Emily made decisions that made me want to tear my hair out, but her anxiety about figuring out what happiness looks like to her was deeply relatable. Who among us hasn’t worried about whether we’ve chosen the right path in life? 

Come for the promise of fun, ironic Wordle games, and stay for the surprisingly heartfelt exploration of a young woman trying to figure out her place in the world. Plus, who knows? You might learn a new Wordle strategy or two—I certainly did! 

A Five Letter Word for Love is available from HCLS in print and as an e-book.

Alex is a part-time Customer Service Specialist and Passport Agent at the Glenwood Branch. When she’s not at the library, she likes to crochet cute animals, read all the horror and romance books she can get her hands on, and write stories about things that go bump in the night. 

A half and half cover of two apartment windows shows a man all in black upside down and a young woman in a shirt and green pants in sunshine on the other.

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Angie Engles Leave a comment
A half and half cover of two apartment windows shows a man all in black upside down and a young woman in a shirt and green pants in sunshine

by Angie E.

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine is a fang-tastic blend of humor, romance, and supernatural charm that leaves you thirsting for more. From the very first page, this novel sinks its teeth into you with witty banter and irresistible characters. Our protagonist, Cassie Greenberg, is an artist struggling to make ends meet in Chicago. Just when her situation seems dire, she stumbles upon an unbelievable Craigslist ad for a rent-free apartment. The catch? Her new roommate is Frederick J. Fitzwilliam, a suave and sophisticated vampire who’s been asleep for a century. 

Levine does a magnificent job weaving modern-day struggles with age-old vampire lore. The chemistry between Cassie and Frederick is electric, with their playful interactions and evolving relationship keeping readers hooked. Cassie’s vibrant personality and Frederick’s old-world charm make for a delightful contrast, and their journey from strangers to something much more is heartwarming and full of surprises. The novel’s humor shines through in every chapter. Whether it’s Cassie teaching Frederick the wonders of modern technology or Frederick’s awkward attempts to fit into the 21st century, the laughs come naturally and frequently. The supporting characters add depth and color to the story, each bringing their own quirks and perspectives. 

My Roommate is a Vampire isn’t just a lighthearted romp; it also explores deeper themes of acceptance, adaptation, and finding one’s place in an ever-changing world. Levine’s writing is sharp, clever, and full of heart, making it easy to get lost in Cassie and Frederick’s world. Perfect for fans of paranormal romance and anyone looking for a feel-good story with plenty of humor, this tale makes you believe in love that transcends time. 

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine in print and as an e-audiobook. And you can continue the fun with My Vampire Plus-One.

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

A bright modern illustrated cover shows a woman in a purple long sleeved swim suit walking with a long surfboard, and a guy in shirt and shorts looking her way. The background is sky blue with the suggestions of waves in lighter blue wavy lines.

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding 

madammommy Leave a comment
A bright modern illustrated cover shows a woman in a purple long sleeved swim suit walking with a long surfboard, and a guy in shirt and shorts looking her way. The background is sky blue with the suggestions of waves in lighter blue wavy lines.

Are you an ardent admirer of the fiery Elizabeth Bennet and broody Fitzwilliam Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? Are you exhausted with all the holiday chores and need some delicious brain candy? I have just the book for you! Pick up (or put a hold on) Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding.  

Twenty-five-year-old Lizzy Bennet, smart, spunky, and courageous, aspires to become a foreign correspondent for a renowned newspaper. Her dream seems almost within reach when she gets accepted into the School of Journalism at Columbia University. However, Mr. Bennet suffers from a heart attack before Lizzy can tell her family about her college acceptance. Lizzy must put her dreams on hold and defer her semester at Columbia so she can manage their family business, Bennet Bakery, in East Hampton.

Her older sister, Jane, is a teacher at an elementary school. Lydia is a social media influencer, Kitty is an aspiring business professional, and Mary is a climate activist. Mrs. Bennet is a self-proclaimed entrepreneur with hundreds of impractical business initiatives, leaving Lizzy as the glue who holds her chaotic family together. Her work starts at dawn as she fires up the oven, but only after Lizzy surfs every morning to cope with the chaos and frustration of her present circumstances. Lizzy loves her quirky family too much to leave them in a lurch, but she has outgrown the parochial East Hampton where rich Manhattanites descend every summer, party till dawn, and then leave in August.

Will Darcy is a business magnate who accompanies his dearest friend Charlie Pierce to his sister’s summer rental at East Hampton. Will’s goal is to prevent gold diggers taking advantage of the affable Charlie and to keep him focused on his work. Darcy and Lizzie’s paths cross when Charlie, accompanied by Will, walks into Bennet Bakery. He tastes their mouthwatering sour cherry muffins, lays his eyes on Jane, and falls in love. Will Darcy is ready to protect Charlie from the likes of Jane Bennet, who (according to him) is after Charlie’s money. It is infuriating to Will that Charlie, instead of wising up, tries to set him up with Jane’s fiery sister, Lizzy. He considers Lizzy to be a complete mess but inevitably falls for her charms.

And the rest is history. The chemistry between Lizzie and Will is absolutely electrifying as they surf together, glare at each other, fight their feelings for each other, misunderstand each other’s intentions, and finally overcome their pride and prejudice to find their way towards each other. 

As a lover of Austen, and especially Pride and Prejudice, I am always wary of reading retellings because I judge them hard. This modern retelling, with its interesting take on the well-known and much-loved plot and characters of my beloved original, won my heart. I have been suggesting this book to all my fellow Austen lovers whether they ask for my suggestion or not! 

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding is available in print format. 

Piyali is an instructor and research specialist at HCLS Miller Branch, where she facilitates two book discussion groups: Light But Not Fluffy and Global Reads. She keeps the hope alive that someday she will reach the bottom of her to-read list.

Two people dance at the bottom of a sweeping staircase, she's in a fancy dress with her hair up and he's in shirtsleeves, vest, and trousers.

Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman

Angie Engles Leave a comment
Two people dance at the bottom of a sweeping staircase, she's in a fancy dress with her hair up and he's in shirtsleeves, vest, and trousers.

by Angie E

Felicia Grossman’s Marry Me By Midnight intertwines romance with Jewish heritage in 1830s London. Isabelle Lira, the belle of the London Jewish community, faces a challenging situation after her father’s unexpected death. She must find a suitable husband to assure her family’s business and standing. 

The powerful Berab brothers, her father’s business partners, see her marriage as a danger to their livelihood. Isabelle’s desire to take over her father’s business clashes with social norms that limit women’s roles, especially Jewish women. To help her search for a husband, Isabelle hosts a series of festivals and events centered around Jewish holidays. Her goal is to meet eligible Jewish men and find someone with secrets and a background she can exploit for her independence. 

Enter Aaron Ellenberg, a synagogue caretaker with no family or wealth, perfect for Isabelle’s schemes. She employs Aaron as a spy, instructing him to learn about her potential suitors. However, unexpected attraction and risks await them both as they navigate love, secrets, and societal expectations. 

Marry Me By Midnight embraces its Judaic roots. The novel provides a fascinating glimpse into the 19th-century Jewish community in London. It portrays a passionate and daring romance while weaving in mystery and intrigue. The author captures Jewish London as a world-within-a-world, adjacent to but distinct from the English upper classes of that time. The dynamics of the Judaic community come alive, making this book a must-read for historical fiction and romance enthusiasts who long for more Jewish characters at the heart of the story. 

This title is available in print.

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.