Spice and Spine Says ...
Can I let you into a little secret?
I don't actually have a favourite genre.
It completely depends on my mood.
One week I'll be reading cowboys, the next it'll be mafia romance, then suddenly I'm wondering why I've got emotionally attached to a fictional vampire.
So if you're the same... welcome. You're among friends.
One of my favourite things about romance is that no two readers are ever looking for exactly the same thing.
Some of us want cowboys.
Some of us want billionaires.
Some of us want a book that emotionally destroys us before putting us back together again.
The good news is... there's room for all of them on your bookshelf.
Fancy a vampire?
You and Only You – Effie Soumelidis
Sometimes a normal fictional man simply isn't enough. Sometimes you need a vampire.
Ruby is carrying the trauma of her mother's murder and drifting through life when Isaac appears — gorgeous, cocky, mysterious and giving off just enough danger that we probably shouldn't trust him. Naturally, that's going to go well.
As Ruby is drawn closer to him, she discovers there's much more to Isaac than she realised and finds herself pulled into a world where love, trust and survival become very closely tangled.
If you're after a darker paranormal romance with vampires, forbidden desire, a morally grey love interest and plenty of emotion, this is the one for you. And it's book one of a trilogy, so if you fall down the rabbit hole, there's plenty more waiting for you.
Fancy your brother's best friend?
Forbidden Flames – Tiesa Parkin
There are some people you're simply not supposed to fancy. Your brother's best friend is probably quite high on that list.
Orion is dark, dangerous and has absolutely no interest in relationships beyond one night. Emerson is his best friend's little sister — and therefore firmly off limits. Then he's forced to protect her from a threat from her past and, even better, the two of them end up sharing his penthouse.
Because obviously keeping your distance is much easier when you live together.
If you're after a slow burn with forced proximity, plenty of forbidden tension, a possessive MMC and two people who really shouldn't cross that line but absolutely want to, this one's for you.
Fancy a cowboy?
Wild With You – Lynsey Harper
If someone asked me for a romance that felt like a warm hug but still had plenty of chemistry, this would probably be one of my first recommendations.
You've got a cowboy ranch setting, a nanny who's more than capable of keeping everyone in line, a fun uncle who definitely keeps things interesting, and just enough childhood history between them to make the banter even better.
If you're after something that's romantic, funny and easy to disappear into for a few hours, this is a great place to start.
Fancy a small-town romance?
Mixed Signals – B.K. Borison
Sometimes you just want a romance that's sweet, cosy and going to leave you feeling good, and Mixed Signals is exactly that kind of book.
Layla has pretty much given up on dating, while Caleb can't seem to make it past a first date — despite having a long-term crush on Layla. So naturally, they decide one month of no-strings dating is the obvious solution. He gets to prove he's actually capable of romance, she gets to rate his efforts, and absolutely nobody is going to catch feelings...
Obviously.
If you're after small-town romance, a sort-of fake dating experiment, plenty of chemistry and something that's easy to disappear into, this is a lovely one to pick up.
Maybe billionaires are more your thing?
The Billionaire Hart Brothers – V.H. Nicolson
Now this series is dangerous...
Not because of the spice (although there's plenty of that), but because every time you finish one book you'll immediately want to know which brother you're meeting next.
Each story follows a different Hart brother, so you get a brand-new romance while still catching up with characters you've already met along the way.
And let's be honest... we all secretly end up picking a favourite brother.
Want something a little more emotional?
Love Me After – Autumn Fielding
This book completely caught me off guard.
Yes, it's an age-gap romance. Yes, there's forbidden love. Yes, there's forced proximity and a grumpy hero.
But underneath all of that is a story about grief, healing and finding happiness again.
It's one of those books that quietly sneaks into your heart while you're busy falling in love with the characters.
Book Recommendations
Looking for your next five-star read?
We've all done it.
You finish an amazing book, stare at your bookshelf for a bit and think...
"Well... what now?"
The book hangover is real.
These are three books I'd happily recommend if you wandered into my dream bookshop and asked me to choose something for you. They're all completely different, so hopefully one of them catches your eye.
Rep Recommendations
@Bookish.Zebra
Jo Recommends: Ghost Dick & F*ck Me Daddy by Kinsley Kincaid
For readers who like their romance dark, taboo and completely unhinged.
Jo (@bookish.zebra) has a slight obsession with Ghost Dick — and she's blaming Keira for introducing her to Merrick in the first place.
Dark, twisted and ridiculously addictive, Ghost Dick is the kind of book that turns “just one more chapter” into accidentally finishing the whole thing.
And then there's Fck Me Daddy.
According to Jo, Kinsley Kincaid somehow manages to dial the chaos up even further. Just as addictive, just as taboo and very much a “what on earth did I just read?” kind of book.
If you're looking for something completely unapologetic and unlike anything else sitting on your bookshelf, Jo says these are absolutely worth the ride.
WHY JO RECOMMENDS THEM
Dark • Taboo • Twisted • Addictive • Morally Questionable Men
