Trope
Heat Factor: Gentle, encouraging, exploratory, emotional
Character Chemistry: They have big hug energy to offer each other, even though they both think they shouldn’t ask for it themselves
Plot: Boarding school besties Robert and David both come out of WWI with scars both physical and mental, and find their way back to themselves with each other
Overall: My heart is so full and so wrecked
Heat Factor: The time they have sex when they’re seventeen is a little too real
Character Chemistry: It’s obvious to everyone but her that he’s head over heels
Plot: First love reunited
Overall: This book is ridiculous
Heat Factor: An uptight hero who gets dirty in the sheets.
Character Chemistry: “There are two kinds of people in the world. Ones who buy beach towels with brightly colored unicorns or starfish, and ones who buy plain, dull colors.”
Plot: Instead of trying to hook Leora up with her friend’s hot architect son, Leora’s mom is actively discouraging the relationship.
Overall: I read this at the beach and it was exactly what I wanted.
Heat Factor: Closed door
Character Chemistry: I have always loved you but can’t say anything because we have too much history and also our families do everything together
Plot: Dhillon doesn’t mind his damn business
Overall: This book commits the cardinal sin of being boring
Heat Factor: We’ve got some dildo action!
Character Chemistry: It’s pretty insta.
Plot: Summer is trying to stop gentrification; Aiko works for a developer. Even though they’re on opposite sides of a proposed building project, they can’t help wanting to date.
Overall: This book made me irrationally angry.
The Smut Report 