Tag romance

An brightly colored illustration show a man and woman facing each other across a picket fence, with a ghost rising from the barn in the background.

Happy Medium: A Behind-the-Curtain Look at Writing

Rohini G. Leave a comment

by Rohini G.

The perfect alchemy of romance, humor and quirky originality.”
—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author

An brightly colored illustration show a man and woman facing each other across a picket fence, with a ghost rising from the barn in the background.

Sarah Adler was folding laundry. A decidedly boring task. To distract herself, Sarah Adler told herself a joke, which then transformed itself into a clever romance novel with a honest and funny con-woman, a chatty ghost, and a hazel-eyed farmer. Now that is some fascinating alchemy!

I am curious about this mundane-to-magical process of writing and plan to ask some serious questions when Sarah Adler visits the library on July 27. Sarah plans to offer a candid behind-the-curtain look at writing and publishing genre fiction, as well as a discuss the book itself. She will focus on different writing precepts for creating compelling stories and specifically analyze high concept romance and premise vs. plot.

A photo of Sarah Adler, who has long brown curly hair and wears glasses.

To meet with Sarah Adler, visit HCLS Miller Branch on Saturday July 27 at 3 pm and REGISTER to save your spot.

More about Happy Medium:

A clever con woman must convince a skeptical, sexy farmer of his property’s resident real-life ghost if she’s to save them all from a fate worse than death. Fake spirit medium Gretchen Acorn is happy to help when her best (read: wealthiest) client hires her to investigate the unexplained phenomena preventing the sale of her bridge partner’s struggling goat farm. Gretchen is happy to help a nice old man finally retire and put some much-needed cash in her pockets at the same time.

Of course, it turns out said bridge partner isn’t the kindly AARP member Gretchen imagined—Charlie Waybill is young, hot as hell, and extremely unconvinced that Gretchen can communicate with the dead. (Which, fair.) Except, to her surprise, Gretchen finds herself face-to-face with Everett: the very real, very chatty ghost that’s been wreaking havoc during every open house. And he wants her to help ensure Charlie avoids the same family curse that’s had Everett haunting Gilded Creek since the 1920s.

Sarah Adler is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. Her debut novel, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, was a New York Public Library Best Book of 2023. Her second, Happy Medium, is a USA Today bestseller. She received both her BA in History and American Studies and MA in History from American University in Washington, DC, where she focused on 19th and early 20th century U.S. culture.

She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, and very mischievous cat.

You can borrow Happy Medium as a print book, e-book, or e-audiobook.

Rohini is the Adult Curriculum Specialist with HCLS. She loves literature and rainy days.

Section of NC Wyeth painting showing King Arthur wearing armour, a red cape, and a crown.

High School Summer Reading List: King Arthur

Julia M Leave a comment
Section of NC Wyeth painting showing King Arthur with a

by Julia M.

Each year, HCLS and HCPSS work together to compile suggested reading lists for all ages. This year’s high school reading list is brimming with exciting titles published within the past few years, in dozens of different genres ranging from nonfiction memoirs by immigrant teens to adorable love stories centered on baked goods. Two of my favorite standout reads from this year’s list happen to share a common theme: both feature references to King Arthur that any Arthurian-legend-loving reader will happily devour.

A Black woman with natural hair holds her arms apart in front her her with red glowing around the top and a blue around the bottom, against a dark background.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn has become beloved by many YA fantasy readers since its publication in 2020. The story follows Bree, a 16-year-old who enters a pre-college program at UNC with hopes of escaping from her hometown for the summer following her mother’s tragic death. Her world is upended when she is thrust into the secret world of people who call themselves Legendborn—the descendants of King Arthur, preparing for war against the demonic forces that oppose them. This book is for lovers of complex magic systems, emotionally driven romantic subplots, and a solid dose of high-action fight scenes. Readers who enjoyed the deep-rooted Arthurian references in The Lost Years (of Merlin) or the magical aura of The Raven Boys will love Legendborn. (Longer review also available.)

You can borrow it in print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

Gwen and Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a new addition to the YA Arthurian-legend-canon. This book is rife with references to the legends, but with a lighthearted twist. Gwen and Art follows the title characters through an alternate-timeline historical rom-com that takes place several generations after the death of King Arthur. The two main characters are forced into an arranged betrothal but have zero interest in each other. Through a series of mishaps and a little forbidden-diary-reading, Gwen and Art realize that they are a perfectly unsuited match. They make a pact to cover up for one another as Gwen pines after a lady knight and Art kisses every boy he fancies. Readers will be drawn in by the bubbly humor, fast-paced tournament scenes, and the sweet found family that develops. If you love the joyful queer romance in Heartstopper or the feminist twists of the Song of the Lioness quartet, check out Gwen and Art are Not in Love. 

You can borrow it in print, e-book, and e-audiobook. 

A mostly pink cover with the title in large red block lettering, and floral illustration around the G and A. Four people in medieval clothing cluster at the bottom.

Julia is a Teen Instructor & Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch + Makerspace. She loves reading YA books, playing the cello, practicing martial arts, trying new cookie recipes, and generally trying to squeeze as many hobbies into a day as possible.

The book cover has an illustration of a kneeling man in a suit, reaching out for the hands of the woman standing in front of him, who is wearing a magenta gown and high-heeled shoes. What appears to be a marriage proposal is taking place in front of a gazebo decorated with pink flowers and green foliage, and there are trees and stars in the background.

Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own

Angie Engles Leave a comment
The book cover has the title in stylized gold lettering and the subtitle with the appearance of handprinted red lettering against a cream-colored background.

By Angie E.

In her book Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own, Kate Bolick invites us into a thoughtful consideration of remaining single. She weaves her own experiences with those of pioneering women from the past century, women who defied societal norms and forged their paths. These women include:

  • Neith Boyce: A columnist who challenged conventions.
  • Maeve Brennan: An essayist whose wit and insight left an indelible mark.
  • Charlotte Perkins Gilman: A social visionary who advocated for women’s autonomy.
  • Edna St. Vincent Millay: A poet whose passion resonates across time.
  • Edith Wharton: A novelist who crafted stories of love, longing, and independence.

Bolick’s exploration reminds us that the pursuit of a good life transcends societal expectations. Whether young and unencumbered or middle-aged and free, our years are ours to savor, not bound by convention.

One of the most liberating aspects of Spinster is its rejection of the notion that a woman’s worth is in and of itself tied to her marital status. Bolick celebrates the idea that a woman can lead a fulfilling and meaningful life without adhering to traditional expectations. She eloquently challenges the societal pressure to conform and encourages women to define their own paths, unapologetically.

Her exploration of solitude as a source of strength rather than a symptom of loneliness is especially affecting. In a society that can still view unmarried women past a certain age with pity or suspicion, Spinster is a rallying cry for independence, self-determination, and the dismissal of societal pressures.

As a 21st century old maid, I find comfort in the words of Kate Bolick and her celebration of the unconventional. And while I am all for defending singlehood at any age and claiming my cat lady status with pride, I have to confess to a part of me that loves fiction, especially romantic, which features old maids and spinsters who end up in love after all. The following are just a few titles that tickle my fancy:

The book cover depicts a redheaded woman in a long, flowing light blue off-shoulder gown, with a vase of white flowers on a pillar behind her, gazing out a curtained window at a snowy outdoor scene.

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

  • Heroine: Evangeline Jenner, a shy and unconventional woman
    Plot: Evangeline proposes a marriage of convenience to the notorious rake, Sebastian St. Vincent.
The book cover, all in shades of blue and purple, is an illustration of a manor house surrounded by trees and foliage.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

  • Heroine: Penelope Featherington, a witty wallflower
    Plot: Penelope secretly writes a gossip column while harboring feelings for her best friend’s brother, Colin Bridgerton.
The book cover depicts a woman in an off-shoulder coral-colored gown with a bejeweled waistline and fluffy hemline. She is visible below the nose; the view does not reveal her eyes.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah Maclean

  • Heroine: Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, a spinster with a list of daring adventures
    Plot: Calpurnia seeks adventure and love, breaking society’s rules along the way.
The book cover has an illustration of a kneeling man in a suit, reaching out for the hands of the woman standing in front of him, who is wearing a magenta gown and high-heeled shoes. What appears to be a marriage proposal is taking place in front of a gazebo decorated with pink flowers and green foliage, and there are trees and stars in the background.

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

  • Heroine: Poppy Delamare, who flees an “odious” betrothal to live in London as quiet and unassuming Flora Deaver
    Plot: Poppy agrees to marry the Duke of Langham to save her younger sister, but that’s only the beginning!

Being a cat lady and embracing spinsterhood doesn’t mean missing out on love. It means defining love on your terms, just as the heroines in these novels do. So, raise a cup of tea (or a cat) and embrace the joy of being unapologetically you! 📚🐾

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 blue cover shows a large white house on a hill. Accents in yellow include a sliver moon, a woman on broom, a car, and the shirt on a man holding a pile of books.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

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A blue cover shows a large white house on a hill. Accents in yellow include a sliver moon, a woman on broom, a car, and the shirt on a man holding a pile of books.

by JP Landolt

When I was four years old, I told my brother that I was a 5,000-year-old witch. For nearly every Halloween thereafter, I was a witch. My truest form. As a child, every book I chose was unusually supernatural. A little dark. A little different. A lot like me. Indeed, this little Guamanian girl’s house was strewn with interesting reading material. Little did I know my witchy fascination would stick with me well into adulthood. When I say I was delighted to find that “witchy” books were gaining popularity among my (now adult) peers, you understand I was beyond ecstatic!    

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is cozy, sweet, and a lovely listen. Samara MacLaren’s voice perfectly conveys a romanticized, present-day UK filled with worldly, contemporary witches. We follow Mika Moon, an orphaned witch from India who was brought to the UK and raised by Primrose. Primrose is a strict (regional manager type) witch who believes witches must live by the rules or risk persecution, or worse still – death. The most important of these rules dictates, “Alone is how we survive.”  

Mika is the very embodiment of this forced loneliness. Cursed from birth (like all witches), she is motherless, untethered, and yearning for family. A loveless, rootless existence is complicated by the necessity to live with magic in the world without being discovered. Her story demonstrates how witches experience the same kind of childhood trauma, feelings of insecurity, and a need for belonging much like any mere mortal.

Mika seeks connection so desperately that she creates an alter-ego (and a humble online following) where she “pretends” to be a witch concocting magical teas in her cauldron for all to see and enjoy. A safe and clever way to hide in plain sight. She is soon sought out by a group of characters inhabiting Nowhere House seeking a real witch to care for three young witches. She finds herself at the doorstep of Nowhere House interviewing to be a live-in tutor and her life is turned upside-down yet again, but in the best way. Shenanigans ensue, as can only be expected with young girls and spellcraft. The staff at Nowhere House only add to the story’s magic.

This story is brimming with magic, love, and found family. There’s an honest vulnerability that weaves through Mika’s character. You can’t help but see the gilded glitter of magic swirling in the landscape and the witches. You can’t help but be mesmerized by the lure of magic and the desire to control what is sometimes uncontrollable. And you can’t help but to empathize with Mika’s unrealized grief or cheer on her personal growth. My goodness, also to wish the brooding librarian to give her a kiss! Heavens!  

If anything, this book proves that magic not only lives in everyday places, but the most powerful magic wants to be used just as much as each of us deserves and wants to be loved. Read this book and embrace all the good there is in life, love – and feel magic again.  

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is available an e-book and e-audiobook. There’s a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it.

JP has worked for HCLS since 2006. She enjoys gallivanting, Jollibee, and all the halo-halo she can eat.

The cover depicts a celestial sphere with clouds and the rays of a sun, with the silhouettes of a white dragon and a black dragon flying in front of it.

Everything’s Better with Dragons

Kristen B. 1 Comment

by Kristen B.

The cover depicts a celestial sphere with clouds and the rays of a sun, with the silhouettes of a white dragon and a black dragon flying in front of it.

One of the hottest titles at the moment is Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. It has Hunger Games energy, plus dragons! Violet, a young woman who expects to follow her deceased father into a scholarly life, is instead enrolled into the military academy by her mother, the general. From there, the story takes off into a school story, but with death of cadets an inevitable, acceptable outcome. On top of not wanting to be in the dragon academy, Violet has physical issues (which seem similar to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) that make it even more difficult for her to succeed. However, she does have a fair amount of stubbornness and unwillingness to die – gotta love her! The story only gets more complicated with conscripted children of a failed rebellion and ever-increasing military action at the country’s borders. I suspect there’s more going on here, but I will have to wait for answers until the next book in the series, which comes out in November.

Speaking of waiting – go ahead and get yourself on the list for Fourth Wing (print, e-book, or e-audiobook). In the meantime, here are more great books with dragons:

The book cover depicts a dragon in the sky, wings spread and with pointed tail pointing towards the ground, as a woman in a long, flowing dress faces it and looks up towards it.

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White
Pride and Prejudice, with dragons! This one leans more toward Austen and Regency romance than modern dystopian fantasy. It has everything: country houses, fights with monsters, terrible misunderstandings, class issues, and one true love. But, you know, with dragons. Aliza Bentaine, second of five sisters, resides at the family’s country estate of Merybourne Manor. A flock of wild gryphons has infested their land and, tragically, killed the youngest sister. Riders come to the rescue, and the rest follows from there. Reader, I devoured it – plus, there are sequels.

The book cover is the face of a red dragon, with antler-like horns and yellow eyes, facing the reader, against a backdrop of stars and pine trees in silhouette.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

Native Americans and colonization, with dragons! In this alternate timeline, the Viking explorations became permanent settlements of this continent, with a Spanish-equivalent nation to the south. In what maps to current-day New England, Anequs, a young Native woman, lives a traditional island lifestyle with her family, until a rare indigenous dragon lays an egg and the ensuing hatchling bonds with her. She is compelled to attend a dragon academy, which brings her in close contact with “regular society,” and not particularly subtle culture clashes ensue. Anequs, though, is determined to do what is best for herself and her dragon, as well as her family and friends, while actively avoiding assimilation.
Also available as an e-book.

The book cover shows a grey-blue dragon flying against a white, cloudy sky, with a blue sea and a sailing ship beneath it.

His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik (Temeraire series)

The Napoleonic wars, with dragons! Will Laurence is an officer and a gentleman serving in the Royal Navy when his ship captures a French frigate carrying important, secret cargo – a dragon egg! The dragon Temeraire chooses Will, causing him to leave the Navy and, for the most part, good society to become a member of the Aerial Corps along with his new charge. Class structures provide much of the drama, outside of the war raging across the continent. The subsequent political and military maneuvers are wonderfully entertaining, especially with Temeraire as the outsider who often needs to have things explained. The mystery of the dragon’s origins continue through this book and the next. Over the course of the series, Laurence and Temeraire travel the world, always looking to advance the cause and care of the intelligent, capable species of dragonkind.
Also available as an e-book and e-audiobook.

The book cover shows a grey dragon in profile from the neck up, teeth bared, against a darker grey background.

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons (Chorus of Dragons series)

Kitchen boy to … well, more … epic fantasy, with big, bad, scenery slaying dragons! This sprawling series takes on many standard tropes and has a lot of fun with them. Prophecy, immortal elves, scheming merchant families, named swords, battles for the throne, absent and all-too-present deities, and dragons combine in Jenn Lyons’ huge (finished!) series. Khirin is the main character, but not necessarily the hero, of a story that is the most recent chapter in a epic that spans millennia. A seeming orphan thief who lives in a brothel, Khirin’s life is turned upside down when he’s condemned to slavery and again when it seems he’s a lost scion of a noble house. The plot moves fast, and things are never quite as they appear. The stories are written as a sort of historical account, complete with dry, snarky footnotes. Discovering the “author” and the role he plays is part of the fun. Despite the doorstop size of the five volumes in this series, they move fast and require you to read carefully.
Also available as an 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 in season (but not all at the same time).

A close up illustration of a woman's face, with long black hair. The words appear atop, in pink and yellow ombre.

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

sahanacallahan Leave a comment
A close up illustration of a woman's face, with long black hair. The words appear atop, in pink and yellow ombre.

by Sahana C.

My favorite reality show of all time is Love Island UK, where young, single British people are paired off into couples and vie for the affection of the public, living together full-time in an elaborate villa and doing relationship challenges over the course of a summer. I keep up with the newest season rabidly, and while it’s airing, my friends will hear me “pulling them for a chat” or asking if they’re “mugging me off, innit” to an annoying degree.  

So, when Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola was recommended to me, a romance set at a British university with characters who had the same South London charm as some of my favorite personalities on this season of Love Island, I was hooked instantly. I’ve read Babalola’s debut, Love in Color (and actually, Love in Color was one of my first ever Chapter Chats posts!) so I was excited to read more from this author.  

Kiki Banjo, our fearless, bold, brash, beautiful protagonist brings us with her to her university campus, which is predominantly white (and is, aptly named, Whitewell). But she and her friends, and the rest of the Black community at the school, have carved out their own niche on campus (also aptly named: Blackwell. Let it not be said that Babalola is going for subtlety here). Between Blackwell politics, class projects, potential internships in New York, and her ever steady radio show, Brown Sugar, Kiki’s a busy girl with no room or desire for a relationship. The guy she’s hooking up with is more hassle than he’s worth so she dumps him. Unfortunately (mainly for him), he turns out to be a bit of a creep, so Kiki turns to the next guy in the room for help, and suddenly she starts seeing Malakai everywhere, and he’s giving her hives. She can’t quite place whether his good guy energy is an act or if he’s the player she thinks he is, but she has no choice but to work with him as fate or homework or other forces bring them closer together.  

This book is a romance. I’m not a romance reader, but this one caught me with friendships and femininity at the center of the story, as Kiki finds her place.  Every “Kiki, you’re moving mad” made me grin with it’s unabashed Love-Island-esque British-ism, but not in the way of stuffy classic literature. This is a young, vibrant book that doesn’t shy away from issues about sexual harassment on campus, being Black and facing discrimination at university, and the very real personal tragedies everyone carries with them to school. Babalola warns us, at the heart of this book, to look away from the surface and towards loving one another with grace. But she does it with an attitude, with well-seasoned flair, and with a no-holds-barred main character that made me love her with every bold comment and revealed insecurity.  

Honey and Spice is available in print, eBook, and eAudiobook.  

Sahana is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Savage Branch. They enjoy adding books to their “want to read” list despite having a mountain of books waiting for them already.

An illustrated cover shows a from-behind veiw of two women on a blanket looking a sunset and the Gold Gate Bridge. Flowering vines frame the cover. The title is in white scrpt above the bridge.

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni

hcllenaeross Leave a comment
An illustrated cover shows a from-behind veiw of two women on a blanket looking a sunset and the Gold Gate Bridge. Flowering vines frame the cover. The title is in white scrpt above the bridge.

by Lenae R.

I always find it fun to read books set in familiar places. It’s delightful to recognize street names and to have memories evoked by local scents and flavors. The cover of Sorry, Bro seemingly promised me these with its Golden Gate Bridge set against a golden sunset (be still, my born-and-raised Californian heart!), a frame of pomegranate-laden vines, and a description hinting at the revelations uncovered by its Armenian protagonist, Nareh. My family lived overseas in the Caucasus region for several years, and its mention tripped a longing for the culture and people we fell in love with there. I was sold.

To be clear, Sorry, Bro isn’t a cultural saga, per se. Its cover teases, “From wingwoman to the woman of her dreams,” and I was all-in for the juiciness of a friendship-turned-romance. It opens hilariously in a German restaurant, where we are introduced quickly to Nareh’s main predicaments: the anxiety that carries her through her days; a boyfriend, Trevor, who is equal parts outrageous and dull; and the pressure she manages as an only child who lost her father several years earlier.

Trevor departs to Europe for a business trip before the second chapter, creating space for Nareh to process whether she wants to continue their relationship. She spontaneously decides to do this by committing to attend “Explore Armenia,” a month of events dedicated to celebrating Armenian history and culture. Nareh’s mother hopes she will meet a promising Armenian man to marry, and Nareh is hungry – for an out from Trevor and the satisfaction of making her mother proud.

It’s a rom-com premise that, certainly, seems formulaic in many ways. What sets Sorry, Bro apart is how it poignantly, often painfully, brings us along for Nareh’s reckoning with her bisexuality (she isn’t out to her family or community) and her Armenian roots. As a first-generation Filipino on my mother’s side, so many of Nareh’s reactions resonated with me: the comfort and thrill of language, food, and references to the homeland tinged with the shame and awkwardness of a child raised in the diaspora. How does one settle into, own, and embrace a culture they seemingly move in and out of? Tagging along with Nareh as she considers this question proved endearing and thought-provoking.

Nareh’s closeted sexuality is entwined with this journey of self-discovery and identity. Her attraction to women is something she hasn’t felt comfortable sharing as she imagines how it will impact the acceptance she has from her loved ones. So many in the queer community can empathize with her struggle. Her deepening connection with Erebuni, the wingwoman from the cover, challenges the evasions that have kept her safe but stifled.

Rest assured that Nareh’s journey is as fun as it is stirring. Author Taleen Voskuni writes deliciously, balancing sincerity and sarcasm with thoughtfulness. Nareh’s chemistry with Erebuni crackles on every page. You’ll be cheering for her throughout and Googling Armenian eateries by the last page.

Lenae is an instructor for the HiTech summer program. Besides reading, her great loves are spending time with her family, watching Star Wars shows, and visiting new coffee and bookshops (Charm City Books in Baltimore is her favorite)!

A stack of 7 volumes of series, with identical type but featuring different character poses at the bottom ... all in blue and green.

Manga Romance: A Tropical Fish Yearns For Snow

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Two manga characters stand back-to-back with fish swimming around them.

by Monae R.

This year has seen me reading completely different books than usual. Am I back in middle school, 2011? I was obsessed with Asian culture, anime, and most relevant, manga. This format of Japanese comics was all I read. From action, to slice of life, to romance, I engulfed every book I could get. If I had known that Savage Branch was not the only library I could visit, I would have read a lot more, alas I had no idea. Now that I work in the library system and am aware of the resources, I find myself falling back in love with manga as I read A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow.

Makato Hagino is a female author from Ehime Prefecture, Japan. This series has nine books and follows characters Konatsu and Koyuki – two girls who bond in a most unlikely place. Konatsu’s father gets a new job overseas and they have to leave Tokyo to stay with her aunt. From the large city to the small seaside town, adjusting is not easy. As if that was not enough, Konatsu, who is not adept or fond of change, must also adapt to a new school surrounded by new people. Eventually she ends up joining a club that drops her straight into the lap of the Introverted and extremely shy Koyuki. The two slowly grow out of their shells and build a friendship that has the potential to be a lifelong bond.

This heartwarming story will hit home for all of us introverted individuals and will give extroverts insight into the quiet thought process of an introvert. This romantic slice of life will keep you wanting more and close the story leaving you with nothing but warmth.

Monae is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS East Columbia Branch.

A bright red cover shows illustrations of two people laying with their heads next to each other, up and down. One has long dark hair and a striped shirt, and the other has short ginger hair and a blue shirt.

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Kristen B. Leave a comment
A bright red cover shows illustrations of two people laying with their heads next to each other, up and down. One has long dark hair and a striped shirt, and the other has short ginger hair and a blue shirt.

by Kristen B.

Small confession: I love baking competition shows. Is it in a tent? Does it involve quirky hosts and obnoxious quantities of sugar? I’m in! I was laid up one summer, and The Great British Baking Show had just made it to Netflix. I was totally hooked, up to and including the holiday, junior, and professional versions. In case you’re wondering (though I know you’re not), I’m entirely on Team Sue & Mel and miss them again every new season.

Earlier this year, I was in something of a reading funk so I went surfing through our “Recently Purchased” lists, which is always a good way to find a new title or two. Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly caught my eye with its bright colors and funny title. Click for more info: this romance takes place during a cooking contest. Click to request it: Yes, please!

It’s adorable, funny, sexy, thoughtful, and altogether lovely. Recently divorced, Dahlia wants nothing more than to start over. Her ex-husband has remarried and is expecting a child. Her career is nonexistent, but she’s a great cook, a decent baker, and could really, really use the prize money. Dahlia has a nagging internal voice that’s not particularly self-supportive, but she showers acceptance and happiness on everyone around her. Tripping with a platter full of fish tacos on live television is only one episode that comes to define her – and you can’t help but root for her. London’s a little more confident, assured, and prickly – or so it seems. They are nonbinary and trans, and they took a big step by announcing their pronouns to the world on the show. These two literally, honest-to-goodness crash into each other on set, and the story never looks back.

It’s a romance, folks, and it hits all the expected beats perfectly. We have montages of exploring L.A. and talking about their dreams, inevitable misunderstandings, and steamy make-up scenes. London’s family, loving but problematic, allows their coming out as queer and trans to happen organically within the story. It never seems condescending or overly explanatory. Dahlia’s issues are, in some ways, more relatable, being all about meeting expectations and her fear of disappointing. Honestly, Dahlia made me cry – but I’m a softie for a happy ending. The cooking competition provides the secondary characters and the drama: after all, someone has to go home and someone has to win. If you’re looking for a fun, summer romp, you should click to request it!

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 in season (but not all at the same time).

Be part of HCLS’ Summer Reading Adventures.

A bright red cover features a color-block illustration of a woman's face in pink, with patterns of stars and flowers in her hair, all resting above a yellow and blue cityscape.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

Kristen B. Leave a comment
A bright red cover features a color-block illustration of a woman's face in pink, with patterns of stars and flowers in her hair, all resting above a yellow and blue cityscape.

by Kristen B.

Olga Dies Dreaming recounts the complicated story of a complicated woman. Olga Alcevedo has the life she always dreamed of – a successful business that allows her to move among the rich and famous, make guest appearances on TV, and live in an apartment of her own, a respectable distance from her large, loving Puerto Rican family in New York. Personal space is non-negotiable, especially with Olga’s cousin/best friend Mabel getting married soon – meaning that the family house is overflowing with drama. Did I mention Olga is a wedding planner? She knows about napkins!

Olga’s mother is an absent revolutionary, so she was essentially raised by her beloved grandmother (Abuelita) and her long-time single Tia Lola. Olga’s brother Prieto is a U. S. Congressman, representing their home district – another local success story. All seems right, until it doesn’t. Beneath the veneer of perfection, the Alcevedo family nurtures many hurts and secrets.

The book follows the siblings as they wrestle with their inner demons, mostly caused by their mother. Blanca is a woman with a cause: securing an independent future for Puerto Rico. Once a member of the Young Lords, Blanca has returned to her home island to orchestrate its liberation. She keeps tabs on her children and sends them long letters offering advice and indoctrination. Through Blanca’s letters, author Gonzalez imparts quite a bit of historical information about Puerto Rico (or Boriken, its pre-colonial name).

At its heart, this book might, just maybe, be a romance. Or perhaps the romance simply sets the framework for all the other heartache to develop. In the first chapter, Olga stops at a local bar after attending a funeral for a friend who has died of an untreated HIV infection. She meets and has an immediate attraction to Matteo, a successful realtor with a self-admitted hoarding issue. Their relationship winds through the story, as Olga comes to understand she has met her match – and she doesn’t know what to do with that revelation.

Even though the book is set in recent years, leading up to and dealing with Hurricane Maria in 2017, the specter of HIV/AIDS haunts the story. Maria’s friend from the opening scene died from the disease, as did her dad, having contracted it as a drug addict. Her brother Prieto is living in the closet as a gay man, and the disease becomes part of his story, too.

That’s not even everything going on in this book! There’s the rich businessman obsessed with Olga. And the champagne she’s fencing for Russian mobsters. And, and … and all the puzzle pieces eventually interlock to create a full picture of Olga’s life. I devoured the second half of the book because I wanted (needed) everyone to find their happy endings. Fortunately, the author delivered, although not in the way I was expecting, and I had to sweat the details along the way. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, where I learned something despite it all.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez is available in print, as an e-book, and as an 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 in season (but not all at the same time).

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