--- title: Romance Reviews, Interviews, and More description: Romance Novels, Romance Movies, Interviews with Romance Authors, and More --- [![LoveinPanelswhite.png](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LoveinPanelswhite.png?width=640&height=225&name=LoveinPanelswhite.png "LoveinPanelswhite.png")](http://loveinpanels.com/) Search [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Mini%20Reviews%203.10.26.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-five-romances) ## [Mini-Reviews: Five Romances](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-five-romances) [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 10, 2026 10:05:27 AM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [review](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/review) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-five-romances#comments-listing) Time to play Review Catch Up! It's a (hopefully) fun game for you and a memory exercise for me. This edition includes reviews of  *Conform*, *The Mating Game*, *Original Sinner* and *Wicked Believer*, *Zomromcom*, and *Shield of Sparrows*. Ratings are based on whether or not I recommend them to fellow readers -  DNF (Did Not Finish), Pass, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), Read It, Read It Soon. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-five-romances) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/august-lane-1.jpg) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/review-august-lane) ## [Review: August Lane, by Regina Black](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/review-august-lane) [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 26, 2026 1:26:51 PM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [review](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/review) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/review-august-lane#comments-listing)   ![August Lane Cover](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/august-lane.jpg?height=500&name=august-lane.jpg) **Title**: [August Lane](https://www.loveinpanels.com/books?id=85635870528) **Author**: - [Regina Black](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?author=Regina+Black) **Heat**: Re **Genre(s)**: [Women's Fiction](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?genres=Women%27s+Fiction) **Tropes**: [Second Chance](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tropes=Second+Chance) [Small Town](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tropes=Small+Town) [First Love](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tropes=First+Love) **Tags**: [f-m](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=f-m) [straight](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=straight) [Black](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=Black) [contemporary](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=contemporary) [musician](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=musician) [music](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=music) [small town](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=small%20town) [Southern](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=Southern) [alcoholism](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=alcoholism) [recovery](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=recovery) [trauma](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=trauma) **Where to Buy or Read**: If you'd like to purchase a copy of this book, please consider buying locally or using this link to support the site: [Amazon](https://amzn.to/49RleJq) **Synopsis from the Creator**: A Southern small-town romance about the visibility of Black women’s voices in country music, perfect for fans of Beyonce's Cowboy Carter and The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. "The best romance I've read all year." —The New York Times Every Thursday night, former country music heartthrob Luke Randall has to sing “Another Love Song.” God, he hates that song. But performing his lone hit at an interstate motel lounge is the only regular money he still has. Following another lackluster performance at the rock bottom of his career, Luke receives the opportunity of his dreams, opening for his childhood idol—90’s era Black country music star, JoJo Lane, who’s being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But the concert is in Arcadia, Arkansas, the small hometown he swore he’d never see again. Going back means facing a painful past of abuse and neglect. It also means facing JoJo’s daughter, August Lane—the woman who wrote the lyrics he’s always claimed as his own. August also hates that song. But she hates Luke Randall even more. When he shows up ten years too late to apologize for his betrayal, she isn’t interested in making amends. Instead, she threatens to expose his lies unless he co-writes a new song with her and performs it at the concert, something she hopes will launch her out of her mother's shadow and into a songwriting career of her own. Desperate to keep his secret, Luke agrees to put on the rogue performance, despite the risk of losing his shot at a new record deal. When Luke’s guitar reunites with August’s soulful alto, neither can deny that the passionate bond they formed as teenagers is still there. As the concert nears, August will have to choose between an overdue public reckoning with the boy who betrayed her, or trusting the man he’s become to write a different love song. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/review-august-lane) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/2023%20favorites.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/my-favorite-books-of-2025) ## [My Favorite Books of 2025](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/my-favorite-books-of-2025) [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 2, 2026 4:12:37 PM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [best bets](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/best-bets) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/my-favorite-books-of-2025#comments-listing) To those of you seeing this newsletter pop up in your inbox after many months, thanks for sticking with me! I re-upped my commitment to the ALA awards committee I served on last year, so I was very busy evaluating hundreds of books and not necessarily writing about them. I had less time to read in my favorite genres, and spent a lot of time reading K-comics (manhwa) to avoid my responsibilities. I also took on a larger role at work, etc. All that said, I'm love reading annual favorites lists from my reader friends, and I figured it was time to pull my own list together again.  [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/my-favorite-books-of-2025) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Red%20Tower%20Mini%20Reviews%204.9.25.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-red-tower) ## [Mini-Reviews: Five Red Tower Romantasy Novels](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-red-tower) [fa icon="calendar'] Apr 9, 2025 8:40:07 PM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [review](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/review) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-red-tower#comments-listing) As you may have noticed, I lost my blogging energy for several months. I became Director of a public library, signed on to an ALA awards committee and hey, my home country is in crisis. No promises going forward, but here are some overdue reviews of *FIVE* Red Tower romantasy series-starters I read in the last few months. Below I talk about *Games Gods Play*, *Bloodguard*, *The Last One*, *The Never List* and *The Half King*. A couple of duds and three I enjoyed! I didn't make content notes as I read, but most do have darker themes or scenes. Ratings are based on whether or not I recommend them to fellow readers -  DNF (Did Not Finish), Pass, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), Read It, Read It Soon. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/mini-reviews-red-tower) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Top%20Off%20Your%20TBR%20September%202024.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/september-2024-tbr) ## [Top Off Your TBR: September 2024](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/september-2024-tbr) [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 20, 2024 11:19:26 AM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [new releases](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/new-releases) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/september-2024-tbr#comments-listing) Happy September! Let's eat some apple pie and read some books. *This post contains affiliate links.*** [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/september-2024-tbr) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Top%20Off%20Your%20TBR%20August%202024(1).png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/august-2024-tbr) ## [Top Off Your TBR: August 2024](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/august-2024-tbr) [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 23, 2024 5:18:37 PM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [new releases](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/new-releases) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/august-2024-tbr#comments-listing) It's August! There are new books! I'll be honest, everything feels like a lot right now. School is starting, my partner is starting a new job, my workplace is going through some big change, plus I'm still reeling from the latest floods. There's a lot to be worried and angry and sad about in our personal lives and in our communities (local, national, global). If you're here in the dread and doom pool with me, I urge you to take some action. It's proven to make you feel better, which is pretty cool. I've been reading the book [Bowling Alone](https://amzn.to/4fTWSAX) in prep for a library event I'm running and it's got me motivated to fight this "[epidemic of loneliness](https://www.npr.org/2023/05/02/1173418268/loneliness-connection-mental-health-dementia-surgeon-general)." The Surgeon General's report linked in that article is worth reading. This fall I'm postcarding for the [Environmental Voter Project](https://www.environmentalvoter.org/get-involved) and continuing to write for [Postcards to Voters](https://postcardstovoters.org/), volunteering in my city, etc. Little steps. In other news, yesterday was my wedding anniversary and we went camping with the kids. If this post doesn't make sense, it's because I managed about 3 hours of sleep and I'm in a post-s'mores energy crash. It was quite lovely to hang out with my favorite people in the woods. Happy end of summer, friends! Enjoy the new books. *This post contains affiliate links.*** [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/august-2024-tbr) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Top%20Off%20Your%20TBR%20July%202024.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/july-2024-tbr) ## [Top Off Your TBR: July 2024](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/july-2024-tbr) [fa icon="calendar'] Jul 25, 2024 9:23:41 AM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [new releases](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/new-releases) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/july-2024-tbr#comments-listing) Look, I'm sharing the July list in July! Turns out I'm capable of making links while I have COVID and can't do much else. It finally got me after 4.5 years. I resent it immensely. Here's a list of promising-to-me books releasing in July 2024 and a couple short reviews of books I read a bit early. Happy reading! *This post contains affiliate links.*** [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/july-2024-tbr) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Top%20Off%20Your%20TBR%20June%202024.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/june-2024-tbr) ## [Top Off Your TBR: June 2024](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/june-2024-tbr) [fa icon="calendar'] Jul 12, 2024 7:15:00 AM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [new releases](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/new-releases) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/june-2024-tbr#comments-listing) Continuing our new tradition of publishing the month's TBR way after the month is over, here are some June picks that I've already read and more I'm looking forward to! July's list should be coming soon. Hope you've been reading something great. *This post contains affiliate links.*** [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/june-2024-tbr) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/wren-in-the-holly-library.jpg) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/wren-in-the-holly-library) ## [Review: The Wren in the Holly Library, by K.A. Linde](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/wren-in-the-holly-library) [fa icon="calendar'] Jul 5, 2024 10:53:06 AM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [review](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/review) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/wren-in-the-holly-library#comments-listing)   ![The Wren in the Holly Library Cover](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wren-in-the-holly-library.jpg?height=500&name=wren-in-the-holly-library.jpg) **Title**: [The Wren in the Holly Library](https://www.loveinpanels.com/books?id=85635870527) **Author**: - [K.A. Linde](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?author=K.A.+Linde) **Heat**: Re **Genre(s)**: [Romance](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?genres=Romance) [Fantasy](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?genres=Fantasy) [Urban Fantasy](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?genres=Urban+Fantasy) **Tags**: [f-m](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=f-m) [bisexual](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=bisexual) [white](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=white) [fae](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=fae) [magic](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=magic) [heist](https://www.loveinpanels.com/booksearch?tags=heist) **Where to Buy or Read**: If you'd like to purchase a copy of this book, please consider buying local or through this link to support the site: [Amazon](https://amzn.to/4eNQkDt) **Synopsis from the Creator**: Can you love the dark when you know what it hides? Some things aren’t supposed to exist outside of our imagination. Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse’s world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction. The New York City she knew so well collapsed practically overnight. In the wake of that carnage, the Monster Treaty was created. A truce...of sorts. But tonight, Kierse—a gifted and fearless thief—will break that treaty. She’ll enter the Holly Library...not knowing it’s the home of a monster. He’s charming. Quietly alluring. Terrifying. But he knows talent when he sees it; it’s just a matter of finding her price. Now she’s locked into a dangerous bargain with a creature unlike any other. She’ll sacrifice her freedom. She’ll offer her skills. Together, they’ll put their own futures at risk. But he’s been playing a game across centuries—and once she joins in, there will be no escape... [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/wren-in-the-holly-library) [![](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hubfs/Top%20Off%20Your%20TBR%20May%202024.png) ](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/may-2024-tbr) ## [Top Off Your TBR: May 2024](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/may-2024-tbr) [fa icon="calendar'] Jun 1, 2024 10:01:18 PM / by [Suzanne](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/author/suzanne) posted in [new releases](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/topic/new-releases) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/may-2024-tbr#comments-listing) Let's go ahead and pretend I didn't entirely miss the month of May and instead celebrate the fact that I now have a whole bunch of reviews for you? IDK, all I can say is that I finally finished this thing and here it is. Enjoy. *This post contains affiliate links.*** [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/may-2024-tbr) [All posts](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/all) [Next [fa icon="angle-double-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/page/2) ![right.png](https://www.loveinpanels.com/hs-fs/hubfs/right.png?width=640&name=right.png "right.png") ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Support Love in Panels [![Buy an eBook From Kobo Today](https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=2J8ZNsFdbgk&bids=551651.109&subid=0&type=4&gridnum=0)](https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=2J8ZNsFdbgk&offerid=551651.109&subid=0&type=4) [- Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [review (401)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/review) - [new releases (83)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/new-releases) - [best bets (52)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/best-bets) - [interview (34)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/interview) - [guest post (27)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/guest-post) - [cover reveal (17)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/cover-reveal) - [excerpt (14)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/excerpt) - [bingo (6)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/bingo) - [announcement (5)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/announcement) ](http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-8814288-11820649) ### Posts by Topic - [review (401)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/review) - [new releases (83)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/new-releases) - [best bets (52)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/best-bets) - [interview (34)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/interview) - [guest post (27)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/guest-post) - [cover reveal (17)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/cover-reveal) - [excerpt (14)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/excerpt) - [bingo (6)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/bingo) - [announcement (5)](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/tag/announcement) [see all](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose#) ### Recent Posts #### About Us Love in Panels is two blogs, each with their own searchable database. One blog covers comics with queer and romantic elements, the other is dedicated to romance novels. We post news, reviews, and lots of other fun stuff! [Learn More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.loveinpanels.com/about-us) #### More Links #### Contact Us [fa icon="envelope"] [suzanne@loveinpanels.com](mailto:suzanne@loveinpanels.com) Copyright 2026 | Designed with [fa icon="heart"] by [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com) [[fa icon="chevron-up"]Back to top](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose#) ## Something Powerful ### Tell The Reader More The headline and subheader tells us what you're [offering](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose#), and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great it's worth filling out a form for. Remember: - Bullets are great - For spelling out [benefits](https://www.loveinpanels.com/prose#) and - Turning visitors into leads.