Overall Grade: A Tropes: opposites attract; pro hockey romance; found family; grump/sunshine; librarian FMC with a heart of gold; misunderstood MMC; marriage of convenience The fear of being vulnerable in love will always be my favorite romance theme. It makes my heart race and brings tears to my eyes every time. There's nothing more terrifying than trusting someone with your heart, knowing they could destroy it with a single harsh word or action.

Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger is now live! From the diabolical mind of New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger comes a scorching new enemies-to-lovers romance filled with explosive secrets, nail-biting, gothic suspense, and the dangerous lure of dark magic. You never forget your first love. Especially when he’s also your worst nightmare. Twelve years ago, Maven Blackthorn fled her small hometown, leaving behind the wreckage of her mother’s suspicious death.

Overall Grade: A Tropes: professional hockey romance, opposites attract, spicy lessons, virgin hero, he falls first, he’s obsessed, doctor/patient, age gap, workplace romance, black cat/golden retriever, grumpy/sunshine Resilience. This word, woven throughout her novels, explains why Kandi Steiner's romances continue to captivate her readers. Steiner crafts characters who overcome personal emotional and mental struggles to reach beautifully rendered, emotionally grounded happy endings.