The No-Girlfriend Rule

The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall is a YA coming of age novel set around a Dungeons & Dragons-like game.

Hollis is looking for a place to play S&S. Her boyfriend plays with his friends - and it is all they talk about. But the group has a no girlfriend rule. 

After trying a random game at a gaming store, Hollis is worried that there is no place for her at the game. On her way out, she sees a flyer looking for girls and queers to create a new game.

As Hollis gets to know the other player she learns more about who she wants to be. 

Randall has written a sweet coming of age YA queer, geek girl romance about learning to like yourself the way you are - and finding your group of people.

Randall, Christen. (2024). The No-Girlfriend Rule. New York: Pushkin.

Love and Other Disasters (Nashville Love #1)

 

Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly is the first book in their Nashville Love romance series. 

Chef's Special cooking show is filming its eighth season. Contestants come from all over the country to participate.

Dahlia Woodson has not been cooking for long. It is something she has been exploring for the last two years, since her divorce. She loves to cook. Also, the hundred thousand dollar prize would get her out of debt and give her a chance to figure out what to do next. 

London Parker has been cooking for years. Their twin, Julie, has encouraged them along the way. If they win, they are going to open an LGBTQ nonprofit in Nashville. But the first set is coming out as nonbinary to the camera.

Kelly's books are both sweet and super hot. Their characters are well written and fleshed out. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite queen authors.

Kelly, Anita. (2022). Love & Other Disasters. New York: Forever Books.

The Gods Below (Hollow Covenant #1)

The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart is the first book in her Hollow Covenant fantasy series. 

After the world was shattered, a man went down to the realm of the gods near the center of the planet. Most gods ignored him, but Kluehnn made a deal. He would restore the kingdoms to lush, plentiful lands. But he would also change the people to be better for the planet.

Harara and Rasha are sisters. They are on their own since their mother and grandmother died. Hakara dives for fish and abalone to eat and sell. Rasha is only nine. But the restoration is coming soon - a wall of darkness that will transform some people into altered. Others will disappear forever. 

In the next kingdom of Langzu the land is dying. The people hold onto their ways. The rich hording wealth and the rest just trying to survive. 

Told from different points of view, Stewart introduces us to her world. This is GREAT fantasy book. Put it on your reading list and wait impatiently with me for the next book!

Stewart, Andrea. (2024). The Gods Below. New York: Orbit.

Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #1)

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is the first book in her Tita Rosie's Kitchen culinary cozy mystery series.

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie's failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she's the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila's left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block… [fantastic fiction]

Manansala, Mia P. (2021). Arsenic and Adobo. New York: Berkeley Prime Crime.