Representation – at least one protagonists is explicitly not Christian
Region Two, Book #2
Heat Factor: There’s some sex at the beginning, and then a really long dry spell
Character Chemistry: Their relationship is going through a lot, so their chemistry comes and goes
Plot: Uh. Let’s destroy the HEA from Book 1.
Overall: The first half of this book went some seriously unexpected places, which made for a very unusual romance reading experience.
The Girls in Apartment 5G, Book #1
Heat Factor: They do not even kiss, my friends.
Character Chemistry: Noam is extremely opaque, but he plays with Shayna, who is a bit tightly wound, so it’s fun
Plot: Shayna and Noam, Orthodox Jews who grew up in NYC, are suddenly and unexpectedly sent to North Pole, Alaska just weeks before Christmas, for an end-of-year review meeting with a big client
Overall: I really enjoyed this read, mostly because it’s so playful
Heat Factor: Kisses in the snow
Character Chemistry: Soulmates, in the “you fill in my missing pieces” sense of the word
Plot: Rachel needs to write a Hanukkah romance and is feeling uninspired—so she tries to get a ticket to the Matzah Ball, a huge party being planned by none other than her first love.
Overall: I have very mixed feelings
Heat Factor: I mean, it is technically explicit sex, but it’s done in a vignette style until nearly the end, when it feels much more traditionally written
Character Chemistry: I had big feels, but it was because of Zach’s journey, not because of Zach and Eugenio together
Plot: Baseball players fall in love, but one refuses to come out and things fall apart. Until they get a second chance.
Overall: Y’all. I have just been on a whole emotional roller coaster.
Third Shift, Book #1
Heat Factor: They have a lot of sex, but there aren’t a ton of details
Character Chemistry: Immediate and explosive
Plot: Neha is on Joe’s legal team, working on his defense for taking out some Russian Bratva members—and when they get shot at in the courthouse, goes on the run with him
Overall: I mostly liked it, but it would be a stronger romance if it were leaner
The Smut Report 