Can’t Wait for … A Touch of Ruckus by Ash Van Otterloo

Without a doubt, many of the best writers working today write middle grade fiction. Ash Can Otterloo exemplifies that, with their book Cattywampus being one of my favorites of 2020—which is saying something. 2020, for all of its problems, was filled with some amazing books. Fortunately, they’re back with a new title due out this

Can’t Wait for … Cackle by Rachel Harrison

It’s amazing how often just the right book can come across my desk at just the right time. Recent weather in my area has been less than stellar, with temperatures bottoming out and rain pouring as though it’s trying to drown the mud. The air feels more like late fall rather than spring, and I’ve

Can’t Wait for … Ternary by Kristin L. Stamper

Whenever someone asks me what I like to read, the standard answer is always some variation of, “Oh, just about anything.” Because really, I do read broadly, from cozy mysteries to political nonfiction—I’ve even been known to pick up the occasional western. However, there’s one genre that I’ve neglected during most of my reading life:

Can’t Wait for … How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton

Part of the reason I love reading romance is, while there’s a common set of time-tested tropes that remain incredibly popular, authors have to find creative ways to launch people into relationships. While a common background for characters often produces the fan-favorite ‘enemies-to-lovers’, it’s just as true that opposites attract both couples and readers. For

Can’t Wait for … It Never Ends: A Memoir with Nice Memories! by Tom Scharpling

Growing up, the only time I really listened to the radio was riding in the car with my father, which meant hearing either Mike Shannon call Cardinals baseball or Bruce Williams give business advice. As an adult, I’ve pretty much phased it out entirely. However, thanks to the pandemic forcing me to seek out some

Can’t Wait for … Down the Hatch by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green

Who said death means you have to give up living? That’s certainly not the case for everyone’s favorite temperamental PR executive turned temperamental sleuth. While M.C. Beaton, the much beloved mystery writer, passed away at the end of 2019, but one of her most famous and heralded creations, Agatha Raisin, continued on a brand new

Can’t Wait for … Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan

I can practically hear sighing through the screen. A Christmas book? In March? I know what some of you are thinking—didn’t we just get through this holiday? While yes, it’s only been a few months since carols were overtaking every store sound system, publishers are already pointing to their releases for the second half of

Can’t Wait for … A Family Affair by Julie Houston

In a year that’s already had plenty of ups and downs, it’s nice knowing that a major high point is just around the corner. I’ve said this before, and I’m sure I’ll keep on saying it: Julie Houston is one of the best writers working today. Whenever she has a new book announced, my radar

Can’t Wait for … Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

It’s been an interesting week, so I’ve been on the lookout for a great bookish distraction—and I think I’ve found the perfect one. Romance, a baking competition, and queer representation? And cake? Lots and lots of cake? It’s even on the cover and in the title? Oh year, this was a very easy addition to

Can’t Wait for … Death of a Red-Hot Rancher by Mimi Granger

I don’t listen to a ton of podcasts, but I’ve really been enjoying Double Threat hosted by Julie Klausner and Tom Scharpling. In a recent episode, they took a deep dive into chili cook-off competitions with a couple of special guests. As anyone who has ever spent more than a second looking at my bookshelves