Chai and Charmcraft by Lynn Strong

Even the powers of the gods can struggle when faced with both scandalized courtiers and gossiping aunties. His Imperial Highness Nur-ul-shuruq Faraj al-Nadhir has never thought himself a charming sort of prince. He’s shy, round, middle-aged, and always dutiful. But he has also secretly spent years dreaming of a man tending jasmine in a sun-lit window — prophetic visions that led him at last to one blissful night with someone who sees his heart, not his crown. He did not expect to wake up with a cat walking on his face. Cat-familiars are forbidden in the Imperial fortress. They might be spies. They might be soul-charmers. They might even sharpen their claws on thousand-year-old tapestries. But Faraj cannot regret that sweet little Sahar chose him — just as he cannot regret Asharan bir Chameli, the enchanting owner of the House of Jasmines. Asharan wants nothing to do with Faraj’s title and power, only his kindness. And Faraj hadn’t expected either the delights or the dilemmas of Asharan’s magical, soft-pawed little gift. The rules have always been different for the God-Emperor's brother. Faraj never before realized how much. Now he's breakfasting from community cauldrons in back alleys full of children and kittens. His foresight shows him a thousand paths toward disaster, but not the way through. His devoted chamberlain fears that Faraj has been bewitched by a purring agent of chaos, and Faraj can’t exactly say he’s wrong. When the choice comes down to betraying his lover's name, his cat-familiar’s life, or his own use of forbidden magic, Faraj does the only thing he can: He gets himself put on trial for heresy, trying to change the laws of the Empire itself. If his visions always lead him into trouble, he might as well make useful trouble. Chai and Charmcraft is the first book in a cozy and queer Middle Eastern M/M fantasy trilogy brimming with charm, intrigue, later-in-life romance, body positivity, and so many kittens. Here, nobody needs a magical makeover to be loved exactly as they are — and their night of joy together isn't where the story ends. That's where it begins...

Righteous Desires by Florence Wolfe

Under the lights, they are gods. Behind the curtain, they are ghosts. Silas Reed made the impossible choice: break Cal Kincaid’s heart to save his career. But the grief followed him to the ring. One botched move later, Silas was exiled with a shattered shoulder, leaving Cal alone to become the ruthless King of the industry. Seven years later, the exile is over. Silas returns to a world that moved on without him. But the man waiting for him isn’t the boy he left behind. Cal is now the untouchable Heavyweight Champion of the World, and he hasn’t forgiven a damn thing. Scripted rivals. Real life strangers. Inescapable lovers. The hatred turns to heat. The rivalry turns to obsession. While the cameras roll, they tear each other apart. But when the locker room clears, the dynamic shifts. Their collision is violent, desperate, and anything but scripted. Silas wants his legacy back. But the only way to the top is through the man he destroyed. Ring the bell, the main event is underway.

Speaking Out In Silence by Sienna Eggler

The life of an adventurer is hard. People get maimed, die, or go missing all the time, but the world keeps spinning. Meike was never big on monster hunting or collecting trophies. They're happier foraging, mixing potions, and befriending monsters and critters. A fact that's further cemented when one of their friends suffers a grievous wound during a quest. But they aren't ready to hang up their cloak just yet! There are plenty of quests that don’t require a blade, quests devoted to healing, not inflicting pain. And as Meike comes to find, social quests can be stressful in their own way, but just as fulfilling.

A Slice Of Mystery by Sophie Maddon

When you’re lucky enough to land on a project in your hometown, nothing can ruin it—right? That is, until your boss disappears and you’re given her job, the police suspect you, and the cheesemonger runs out of your favourite Gouda. When socially-awkward IT consultant Abigail Palmer is sent to work on a local factory’s new computer systems, she’s looking forward to daily get-togethers with best friend Hannah and cozy nights with Jasper the cat—NOT being blackmailed by boss Lynn into investigating a threatening note. Between managing the IT project, untangling lies, and trying to decode a cute colleague’s attentions, Abigail’s plate is full—though there’s always room for Giuseppe’s insanely delicious pizzas. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and awkward heroines with a side of tech. Warning: may cause cravings for artisan cheese and late-night pizza.

The Lunar Quartz Library by Melanie Steele

At thirty-five, Esme thought her life was set—until a magical book offered her a whole new chapter. Esme has lived the same quiet, bookish life for as long as she can remember—mornings spent sorting rare tomes at the beloved Goldsteins' Bookshop, evenings sipping tea in her tiny flat, and weekends buried in classics and comfort reads. Then a curious delivery arrives: an oversized book with a lock, but no keyhole. It doesn’t appear on any inventory list—and it doesn’t seem to belong to this world. When the Goldsteins' bookshop, where Esme has worked for half her life, suddenly shuts its doors, she finds herself adrift. Her routine is gone, her future uncertain, and the quiet, bookish life she’s always known begins to unravel. When a mysterious stranger shows up claiming the book belongs to another realm—and that Esme is the only one who can unlock its secrets—she’s offered a chance to start again. But stepping into her new role as Librarian of the Quartz Falls Library won't be easy. Esme must learn to wield magic, confront enemies who want the library sealed forever, and—most daunting of all—believe that she’s worthy of a life beyond the quiet edges of the world. A heartwarming, whimsical tale of transformation and quiet courage, this low spice cosy fantasy is perfect for fans of The Spellshop, Legends & Lattes, and The House in the Cerulean Sea. 🌙 Tropes & Themes You’ll Love 🙋 Midlife Protagonist ✨ Sweet romance 🏡 Found family 📚 Light academia 💐 Strong female friendships 🌈 LGBTQ+ rep 🧠 Neurodivergent rep ❤️ A comforting, low-stakes fantasy full of heart

Sense & Irritability by Emma Lee Jayne

A few months ago, I was the star chef at one of Austin's hottest restaurants. Then it all came crashing down. Now, I’ve lost my job and my living situation is … questionable. Oh, and I owe my mother money. Don’t ask. When I get offered a job as a live-in, personal chef for a man I think is a rich, elderly, shut-in, I jump on it. Except, he’s not elderly. In fact he’s young, brilliant, and stupidly hot. I can't walk away from this job. What’s a down-on-her-luck girl supposed to do? Fall in love?

Love Mediation by D.C. Emerson

Love. Four seemingly innocuous letters that have caused James a lot of grief. Growing up, he thought he had his mom and dad’s love, and his first boyfriend had said lots of pretty words—“love" included. But when push came to shove, the only one whose love stuck around was his mom. And yes, he knows how pathetic that sounds, especially given that his mom is now busier than ever, happily planning Valentine’s Day for her two partners. Things are changing, though. James also has a beloved partner. A man he’s ready to introduce to his mom, and maybe even say those terrifying three words to… He just has to make it perfect. Leon, on the other hand, is far from perfect, and has no plans to try and be anything other than what he is: the office bad boy who is finally facing his ADHD head on…while also reckoning with the fact that he's head over heels for his ridiculous, adorable boyfriend. With the help of new friends and his loveable cat Yarmen, he’s sure everything will work out just fine. Love Mediation is the third novella in the Conflict Mediation series. The series is MM romance novella with trans rep and follows James and Leon as they explore their relationship, form new, long-lasting friendships, and dote on everyone’s favorite cat, Yarmen.

Conflict Resolution by D.C. Emerson

James: James really thought he and Leon left all their struggles behind at the haunted house. His mom is healthy and happy, dating not one but two wonderful people, and James’ own relationship is off to a great start. Unfortunately, as the year draws to a close, James comes face-to-face with a new obstacle: intimacy. While James is by no means a stranger to physical intimacy, it’s been a long time since he had to introduce someone to his parts and preferences. Taking this next step in their relationship comes with lots of conversations…and James wouldn’t call himself an expert conversationalist. Leon: Well, it’s been quite a year. Going from enemies to friends to soon-to-be lovers with James has been a journey, but Leon wouldn’t trade a second of it. What he could do without is the dual diagnosis of anxiety, which he discovered in the middle of a haunted house, and ADHD, which James’ office subordinates noticed before any of Leon’s therapists did. He really thought he’d gotten all his self-discovery out of the way as a teen, but it seems there’s always room to grow. At least this time he won’t be doing it alone. Conflict Resolution is a steamy MM romance novella with trans rep about self-discovery, growth, New Year’s resolutions, and, of course, lots of snuggles with a very needy cat. This is the second novella in a series of novellas following the same couple through various stages of their journey toward a happy-ever-after. This book focuses primarily on the exploring intimacy stage, so if that’s not your vibe, skip to the next novella, Love Mediation, for more James and Leon. The Conflict Mediation novella series should be read in order and is a spinoff from the Not So Normative series, but can be read separately from the other Not So Normative books. The reading order is: Conflict Mediation, Haunted Mediation, Conflict Resolutions, Love Mediation, and a finale.

Haunted Mediation by D.C. Emerson

It’s been six months since workplace rivals James and Leon were sent to conflict mediation, only to end up in couple's counseling. Since then, they’ve become friends, and James would even go so far as to call them best friends. Which is great. Truly. James is so grateful for their lunch dates and weekend hangouts...even if his feelings for Leon moved way past platonic months ago. What matters is his mom is doing better now. She’s been in remission for almost a full year and is becoming increasingly independent—right in time for her all-time favorite holiday: Halloween. All James has wanted for years is for her to be healthy enough to enjoy the small things in life, like having her new “friends” over for scary movies and pumpkin flavored treats. So why does he feel so lost and aimless now? He knows he should talk to Leon about it. Halloween night doesn’t seem like the right time, though, especially not when they get tricked into visiting a house of horrors. If James can get through it, maybe then they can talk, even if doing so feels scarier than anything they’ll face in the haunted house. Haunted Mediation is an MM novella with trans rep, featuring a troublesome neighbor, a needy cat, and a Haunted House. The Conflict Mediation novella series should be read in order and is a spinoff from the Not So Normative series, but can be read separately from the other Not So Normative books. The reading order is: Conflict Mediation, Haunted Mediation, Conflict Resolutions, Love Mediation, and a finale.

Signals + Sentiments: A Heartstrings & Coffee Beans Novel by Noah Bodie

When Max Alexander’s best friend moves overseas, the last thing he expects is to open his apartment door to Lucas Campbell—the boy who made his teenage years a living hell. Now, adults and unexpected roommates, Max and Lucas, are trapped in close quarters by a signed lease and a history neither of them has healed from. Max is an art student who survives on rigid routines, sensory control, and silence. Lucas is a writer carrying family obligations, guilt, and a past he’s never been able to explain. As the days pass, old wounds resurface alongside unexpected tenderness, and both are forced to face who they were and who they've become. Healing isn’t loud, forgiveness isn’t clean, and love ... doesn’t always arrive the way you expect it to.

A Stage Over Ruthless Stars by JJ Clapton

Aznan is a chronically ill high school drop out living on a space station with an illness that hates gravity. But he's going to be a famous inventor… That's if he can win the biggest tech competition in the system. Held at his space station's circus, and judged by titans of industry, it's one massive showcase to demonstrate his homemade tech in front of a live audience. To win, he'll need his ex-best friend's help. Kairo hasn't spoken to him in three years, not since he left school to join the circus as an aerialist, but Aznan can handle that. Oh, and the local favourites just turned up dead. That, not so much. Everyone's saying sabotage. Murder and riches. A competition worth killing for. And when a second team dies right in front of Aznan's eyes, the official reassurances of glitches and accidents no longer hold. The body count is rising. The Grand Showcase is blasting closer. With nobody willing to stop the show, Aznan and Kairo must unearth the truth or risk their lives with one final act.

Faithfully Yours Mozart: Kindness & Compassion (audiobook) by Faith Jacobs

From indie Author Faith Jacobs (Head creative of the Audiodrama Chaotic Idiots, Tir Na Noc Brotherhood, and of Faithfully Yours Mozart: The Courtship) comes a prequel to the mainline love story that would one day define Wolfgang Amadeus’s life as he knew it. Come along dearest listeners, before his time in Vienna, one night would shift the tides of his life as he knew it forever, long before the courtship, long before Vienna, there was the journey to breaking free that didn’t quite go as planned.... --- 1777, Young Mozart has been in Mannheim for some time now, yet without any success to his name, he finds himself in a city without a patron, without close friends, and only the best support from his mother. Whilist attending a grand autumn ball given by his Father’s companion, Herr Marchand, Wolfgang encounters an unexpected light amidst much strife and youthful tides of growing pains.

The Sin Of Angels by Enoli Lee

Leliel is unsure of her place in heaven, constantly feeling left out and forgotten as the angels around her form connections and partnerships. Enter Verchiel and Sachiel, the archangel and cherub couple who seem to be smitten with her. Leliel is wary, wanting something permanent and not just a few rolls in the sheets with the two. Together, they explore and find pleasure in each other while the couple tries to convince Leliel that the feelings they have for her are real and not fleeting. A novella about three angels exploring each other, relationships, and what it means to love. Featuring an autistic, disabled transfem angel, an audhd transmasc angel, and an autistic cis man angel.

Tending Clay; Unearthing Stars by MJ Anthony

Today I am learning to take anxiety by the hand and teach this trembling, fragile beast that we are (and yet will be) okay. In their debut collection, MJ Anthony navigates a complicated web of intersecting topics such as complex trauma, neurodiversity, lasting illness, and practicing self-love in a body long-alienated from you. Alongside the reader, the author combs tangles into threads and weaves them into a gentler future, re unifying selves and stories both old and new. Part hurting, part healing, and wholly original, Tending Clay, Unearthing Stars is a love letter to everyone living with a broken body or a troubled mind.

Catterton by Annabelle Nash

Elsie is like most cats in Catterton: She stands on two feet, wears fashionable clothes, and has a healthy fear of the dogs now pulling carriages. Except she has an unfortunate, ugly, un-catlike illness! Compassion. The anxious teenager not only has to worry about growing apart from her father figure, but also about being the only selfless cat in the Queendom of Catterton. It isn't long before the odd girl has the attention of the tyrannical Catqueen, pirate gangs, and a mysterious knight prowling the streets. Humans may have disappeared from London, but the humanoid cats aren't alone for long ... An evil Ratking emerges from the shadows, declaring revenge on every feline—especially Elsie.

A Study on Magic and Crystals by May Barros

Talita is the heir of Lilyduan, the human kingdom. When her father invites her to join a dinner with fairy dignitaries, she sees herself having to deal with the responsibilities of her status. Sent on a mission to solve the magienergetic crisis of the kingdom, she must travel to Alyra, the fairy realm, and count on her friend Marcela, a shameless necromancer and the fairy Solis to learn all she needs to know about the Crystal Power Plant to fullfill her part of the deal with the fairies.

Game Over by Shelly Jones

Wren Winters and her friends road trip to an annual gaming convention anticipating a fun getaway, not danger and a dead body. It’s been two years since game store owner Wren Winters’ husband died in a mysterious road accident, and she finally feels ready to attend the industry’s biggest gathering. She’s a little spooked because the event was where her husband had sent her a final text claiming he’d discovered something unexpected, but Wren is determined to push aside her doubts, purchase new games for her store and have fun. Instead, she and her gaming group stumble onto a famous cosplayer strangled with her own lanyard, and the police are side-eyeing Wren. Then the threats begin, and Wren uncovers a new lead on her husband’s death. Surely, she can piece together what happened to Marcus at this very convention, despite the danger lurking around every corner. But the clock is ticking to solve the murder before weekend ends, when all the suspects will scatter like pieces swept off a board. Will she be able to trap a murderer before she becomes another victim?

Nothing So Powerful As Truth by O.H. Phukdischidt

Raj and Quill continue to assist the village council in making plans to rescue the children from the government’s secret labs. Meanwhile, Darla is a prisoner there, being experimented on. Kids are dying around her and she never knows when she might be next. Fury and the need for vengeance are the only things fueling her. Will Raj and Quill find the children in time? Can they survive the rescue mission? Will hollow-boned ever be free of the government’s cruelty?

Truth Will Set You Free by O.H. Phukdischidt

Raj continues his pursuit of knowledge about what the government of Tar is secretly doing to hollow-boned, hoping to save his people from experimentation, or worse. Even still, he tries to get Quill, the pale beauty he dumped at the Sentinels of Light headquarters, out of his mind. He can’t help wondering if what they had was real. Should he have trusted the man? Meanwhile, Quill is confined to headquarters pending a trial. He is now seen as a traitor, a fallen hero. To make matters worse, his health continues to decline and no one will help him figure out why. Lamenting his wasted life, he finds himself thinking about Raj and what could have been. While the famed Red Raven becomes more merciless with his victims, the shamed Sentinel is left to waste away. What will become of our two lovers? Can they put their differences aside?

Human Nature by Bonnibelle Angelica

Oppressors become revolutionaries, mothers become monsters and friends become something more... Phylum is a brilliant young biologist born to lead the last of humanity, but his status comes with certain expectations. In a rare act of defiance, Phylum secretly joins a new scientific expedition up to the surface where mutation has infected everything. However, when his ambition almost costs him his life, he finds something extraordinary: A human girl living on the surface. Despite her animalistic traits, Canopy is remarkably intelligent, compassionate and even charming. She offers to help him, but as they explore the vibrant paradise above, Phylum can’t help but question the disturbing nature of his home and the role he plays in it...

Caves and forests by Any Pascual

For there are nights that are caves: deep, mysterious, brief. And there are days that are forests, where birds sing joyfully. Come with me, let’s discover the mystery of life… and its reliefs. Caves and forests is a collection of poems about the relationship between nature and humanity, showing how emotions express the world through a deep journey across the author’s inner landscapes and the natural environment.

Starbound Betrayal by Morrigan Gaines

Two hearts fated to bring about the end of magic. Legends often sprout from a seed of truth. Some say Aestrith Vega and Valerian Frazier were traitors. Some remember them as star-crossed lovers doomed by Daena, the goddess of destiny. Time has obscured the true story. Aestrith, a battle-hardened warrior mage, searches for peace in a land on the verge of civil war. Valerian, an ambitious scholar, seeks forbidden knowledge between the pages of a mysterious book of magical theories. They forge a relationship from stolen moments filled with shared laughter and quiet understanding. Centuries later, lost records and twisted legends have distorted their lives. This is the tale of two souls whose intertwined fates send ripples through the ages. From the echoes of their legend, a figure emerges, shaping the world long after their story ends. This is a novella that ties into the Chronicles of Osmaria series. It can be read as a stand-alone story.

One For the Money by Holly Monroe

Dr. Alex Shields is not a liar. Or at least, not technically. Is a lie by omission really a lie? What about if it was for a good reason? On the day she drags her suitcases through what is usually an abandoned fairground towards the gray and black striped big top of Cirque de Mordu, Alex is only looking for two things: a steady paycheck and a way to disappear. She’s not looking for an Alpha, and certainly not for a pack. But a circus filled with nearly all Alphas that was expecting their doctor to be the same isn’t exactly the easiest place for a female Omega to lay low, and she finds herself thrown onto the metaphorical tightrope as she struggles to stay balanced. Jude, the big, burly showrunner, isn’t happy she concealed the truth. Quinton and Matteo, the sadomasochistic duo known for their sword and knife play in the ring, are fascinated by her. And the Twisted Twins, Dario and Dexter, have reactions to her that are nowhere near as identical as they are. Alex is running, and the circus may not be the safe place she thought it was to land. She’s going to work out her contract and then leave, because it’s just for the money. Right? ---------------------------- One for the Money is the first book in the Trapped On The Tightrope Duet, a part of the Cirque de Mordu Omegaverse. This a why choose MMMMFM Omegaverse is for readers 18+ and the author encourages you to read the considerations at the front of the book.

Fae Tithe : Book 1 of Chronicles of the Cursed Courts by Alicia Dingley

In Seelieland, the Fae demand a Tithe. They didn’t count on a mother’s fury - or a Merman’s vow. Sixteen-year-old Eleanor Neycur was meant to chart her own course. A final year of school, a future at sea, and a life beyond the limitations of her coastal village. But when the Seelie Court revives its ancient Tithe and claims her without warning, Eleanor is torn from everything she knows and thrown into a glittering world built on control, secrets, and servitude. Back home, Helena Neycur’s world shatters. She has spent her life drawing a Circle around those she loves, and protecting her daughter at any cost. Now, she must fight against a kingdom that sees humans as chattel - and she will not do it alone. Beneath the waves, Lance, the Merman Helena once saved and now loves, is bound by the laws of the sea. But for Eleanor, he will test every boundary of his limited reach, even if it means risking war between land and sea. As Eleanor uncovers the truths hidden behind the Tithe and Helena gathers allies from both coast and current, mother and daughter are set on a collision course with the very heart of Seelieland’s power. And the Fae have never faced a storm like this one. They took the wrong girl. They underestimated her mother. And the tide is turning

Little White Flowers by Amber Hathaway

When she and her brother venture to Evanston, Maine to clean out an estranged relative’s estate, horror enthusiast Alice Drayon’s life begins paralleling her favorite page-turners. The sojourn in their grandmother’s “wicked” hometown provides the perfect opportunity for Alice to delve into Grammie’s mysterious past. However, she soon discovers that the horrific event that drove Grammie away is but one small piece of the town’s blighted history. Confronted with increasing hostility from Evanston’s insular religious community as she closes in on the truth, Alice must risk everything to save lives. Her soft-spoken new neighbor, Riley Moore, seems to have answers ... and some dark secrets of his own. Can Alice trust him to help her put an end to Evanston’s insidious practices, or will she become yet another casualty?

Tied to the Waves (Monsters of Brimrey Island #1) by Vee Debras

The ocean was the end of my parents' lives—he might be the start of mine. *An angsty MX monster romance* In an ideal world, my dead parents’ waterfront house would rot with them. In an ideal world, I wouldn’t need the money from selling it, and I would’ve never returned to the island I fled from at eighteen. But life is never kind to people like me, is it? So I’m back where I left the friends who broke my heart and the ex whose bruised fingerprints I still can’t scrub off my skin. The second-to-last thing I need right now is an injured, unconscious merman drifting over to my dock. And the last, the way he tells me I’m beautiful when he wakes up. Tied to the Waves is an MX monster romance with a nonbinary protagonist, a sweet love interest, lots of hurt/comfort, dark themes, and spice. As a full-length novel with a HEA, it can be read as a standalone or as the first book in a series full of trans characters set in the small town of Brimrey Island.

Brad & Finn by D.C. Emerson

Finn I wasn’t even supposed to be going to the reunion. Chloe needed help packing up her mom’s house and I offered to go back to Gomillion with her, as any best friend would. That doesn’t mean I want to reunite with people I haven’t seen in over twenty years. I’m even less interested in socializing at the town bar, especially with the former captain of the football team who I shared a kiss with at the end of senior year. There’s no way he’ll recognize me, and even if he does, I don’t know what he’d think of how much I’ve changed. I’m finally the man I’ve always known I was, but that’s not how Brad Willson used to know me. Brad Everything is finally coming together. I got the promotion I’ve been working towards for years, and I’m back in town to celebrate with all my high school buddies… except it’s been tough to keep up with everyone. My job runs me ragged, from one end of the country to the other, recruiting for college football so I can one day hope to become the a coach. Part of me has started to wonder if all these lonely nights are worth it, and the gorgeous guy I run into at the bar isn’t helping the matter. When it turns out he’s more than just a random guy, what does that mean for my new job and for me?

Minotaur by Jamieson Wolf

Roanne lives in the darkness. In the labyrinth, people exist without words or noise, trying not to provoke the beast down from the mountains. They communicate their fears and uncertainty in sign and whisper—it’s all any of them have ever known. Silence means life, and the dark is a good place to keep secrets. Roanne has spent seventeen years in the labyrinth, never knowing the outside world. While hiding from the minotaur, Roanne discovers a small green journal that holds another secret that could change her path. She also realizes her mother and the Oracle of the labyrinth have kept secrets of their own. Will Roanne be brave enough to do what she must? Or will the minotaur be her undoing after all?

The Milkyway Hotel by Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud ; Marguerite Grimaud

The day she loses her job and her apartment, a third surprise awaits Celeste Dorin: her great-aunt left her a hotel in a tiny town in the mountains. Is the universe nudging her—not very subtly—in a new direction? For the first time in years, Celeste ignores her anxiety and rushes to the French Alps. To Montlouis, where she has refused to go back since she was a child. Rose Beauvoir has two passions: chocolate and the stars. Or three, if you count Montlouis. The arrival of the clumsy Parisian disrupts her well-oiled routines, and she’d lie if she said she doesn’t enjoy the blast of fresh air. As Celeste learns about life at high altitude and Rose shares her love for her home town and its surroundings, the two women can’t deny the attraction blooming between them. The shift from Celeste’s boring yet comfortable life as a paralegal in the city to that of a hotelier in the mountains isn’t for the faint of heart, however. Will the beautiful scenery, the welcoming townies, and the deceptively reserved chocolatier convince her to stay? A sapphic tale of Christmas, swoon-worthy chocolate, and blessings in disguise.

Mission Skyscraper by Eule Grey

So, anyway, the world doesn’t make sense. By day, I’m a student who avoids teachers, parents, and rules because all they do is shout. I wish they’d leave me alone and stop calling me a lad when sometimes I’m a lass. Oh, plus, I can’t remember where I lived last year. By the way, have you noticed the handsome boy who keeps chatting with me after school? There’s more. By night, I’m a spy on a mission, strong and essential, see? Some call it dreaming, but I know better. My assignment is to track two people who are trapped inside a skyscraper. I’m scared, and so are they. What if I’m not brave enough to save them? So, yeah, things are tricky in both worlds. Two realities and a lot of questions are about to collide, and when they do, nothing can prevent the truth from spilling out. What’s inside the heart of a skyscraper? I’m about to find the answer. See you on the other side.

That Girl Who Ran Off and Kissed a Vampire by K.R.S. McEntire

Eighteen-year-old Raven has always had a college, a stable job, and marriage to her high school sweetheart—all within the safe boundaries of her comfort zone. As a neurodivergent girl adopted into a family of high achievers, she understands the importance of stability. But when a single disastrous day leaves her without a job, her best friend, or her boyfriend, Raven’s carefully planned future unravels. Desperate for a fresh start, Raven takes a leap of faith in the form of a mysterious job offer that lands her in a magical realm where humans coexist with fae, dragons, vampires, and other fantastical creatures. Her unlikely guide is Hunter, a snarky and secretive vampire who insists her bloodline holds the key to breaking an ancient curse. Reluctantly, Raven agrees to help, embarking on a quest filled with impromptu hip-hip concerts in medieval taverns, sassy talking unicorns, and growing feelings for Hunter. But as sparks fly, so do her suspicions about his true intentions. To save a kingdom—and herself—Raven must uncover the secrets of her heritage and decide if she’s willing to risk everything for a magical world and a love that feels too impossible to be real.

Return of the Sistah Samurai by Tatiana Obey

Afro Samurai meets The Boondocks in this anime-inspired novel I've wanted nothing more than to become a Sistah Samurai. When I was expelled from the training academy for sneaking in my stupid ex-boyfriend, I still had hope that I could cry enough to convince them to take me back. Then, demons invaded the capital and decimated the clan, and there went my dreams of ever naming my own pair of pink swords. Until I heard a rumor of one last Sistah Samurai. I packed my favorite outfits and my trusty teddy bear, and recruited my forever bestie to help me find her. If we could manage not to interrupt her lunch, maybe we could convince her to train us? We were ready to do whatever she asked, even if that meant confronting old flames and taking down the patriarchy. As long as we looked good while doing it. The sequel of Sistah Samurai is an Action Fantasy novella that is an homage to the anime, Afro Samurai. Both works feature a feudal Japan-inspired setting that is rife with anachronisms. In the words of Samuel L. Jackson, “Is that a motherf—ing RPG?”

The Ruin of the Watcher by Collings MacCrae

When a trail of shattered innocence leads Fox Argall to a twisted empire of silence and secrets, his razor-sharp mind unravels the threads of betrayal binding his closest allies. But in this prequel to the Fox Argall Mysteries, the hunter becomes the haunted: one wrong step, and the watcher falls—ruined forever. Dive into The Ruin of the Watcher by Collings MacCrae, where loyalty bleeds into obsession, and his fractured armor echoes through every case to come in this great series. The scars? Those linger.

Walking the Knife's Edge by Elise Carlson

It’s hard to focus on your studies when you’re from the wrong side of town, your dad’s an abusive prick and classmates are intimidated by your skills at hand to hand combat. But for Rarkin, getting into Sythe School means monsters, the chance to contain ones that stray into human occupied zones, and the opportunity to do something meaningful with his life. Even better; it includes an Electric Way pass out of town and travel beyond city limits.​ Rarkin seizes his chance at his dream job with everything he’s got, forcing down traumatic memories to focus on work he knows he could love. But it’s a dangerous time to be holding everything in, to have little contact with friends like brothers, or to be keeping new friends at arm’s length. Sythe’s nemesis, Organised Crime is no longer playing by the ‘rules,’ and Rarkin and his classmates are on the front line. Organised Crime’s bold new tactics tear at the bandages of Rarkin’s unhealed wounds and his unresolved CPTSD. To be the person Rarkin doesn’t believe people saying he can be, he must change his toxically masculine approach to emotions, and break the cycle of violence in his family. If he doesn’t make peace with his past and stop fighting EVERYTHING, he’s on the road to self destruction. In working for Sythe; Rarkin is Walking the Knife’s Edge.

Memories of Enaros Vol 1 by Astrid E. Abell

Memories of Enaros Volume 1 is a collection of short stories centering around the time Inarora Beservera, the protagonist of Inarora's Excursion, was a young child. Three of the short stories are from Kaedan's point of view and one is from Byron's point of view. Precious Protection Kaedan and his parents finally take the opportunity to lock out his soon-to-be ex-fiancée, Iris. However, they are not prepared to what lengths she will go to in order to remain in Kaedan and Inarora's lives. Babysitting with Fibro Kaedan and Xarlen leave Byron and Seri alone with the baby for the day for a court hearing. Unfortunately, both men discover babysitting isn't very easy when both of you are in a fibromyalgia flare. Kaedan's Injury The Second Rhanalanian War needs code breakers like Kaedan and his team. Unfortunately, that puts them directly on the front lines, forced to witness the atrocities of war. Even worse, they are targets themselves when Kaedan and his comrade, Xavier, break a code from the Patriot Defense Forces. Kaedan has to evacuate the Rhanalanian Defense Force headquarters, but what is the cost? Mela Súle It's Kaedan Beservera's first Mela Súle in a wheelchair and without his mother. With his father and grandfather both sick, this year's celebration will only be spent with his child, Inarora. As Kaeden worries he will disappoint his daughter, the two stumble upon a foreign family enjoying Mela Súle for the first time. It will be a memorable winter holiday season for all.

Moth Woods by Amara Lynn

A lonely mothman… The little piece of almost heaven I carved out for myself ain't bad. I've got my truffle pig, Rampy, and my farm, and my work. It ain't much, but it's honest work, and a peaceful existence. There ain't nothin' else I really need. But every year when the moth mating call comes along, I'm reminded of how lonely my life can be. Then I meet Ollie, and a smidgen of somethin' is growin' like a breeze between us. I ain't nothin' special, though. Ollie cain't possibly want me. After all, I ain't normal. Ollie's a little strange, but their weird cain't possibly match mine. A shy flatwoods monster… I finally return to life in West Virginia, where my kind first took root. Nothing's worked out for me, and I'm ready for something less stressful and more peaceful. I don't expect to meet Glen, the sweet guy at the farmer's market selling mouthwatering ramps, my favorite West Virginia specialty. I keep coming back for more, but Glen's kind eyes and welcoming smile are just as alluring. All I wanted was peace and quiet. I wasn't looking for love, but it sneaked up on me out of the woods, and now I'm falling hard for Glen. But I'm a cryptid, a frightening monster. There's no way he'd still want me if he knew how weird I really am. Moth Woods is a 20k word novella about an autistic mothman and an anxious flatwoods monster, two classic West Virginia cryptids. It features a pansexual x genderfluid sweet, spicy, and cozy romance with a side of angst, and of course, weirdness. The Contemporary Cryptids series are standalones and can be read in any order.

The Killing Song by Felix Graves

Fierce pirate captain Romada is about to retire from her high-stakes life when her siren girlfriend, Neiara, is abducted right in front of her. Together with Injago—her brother and quartermaster—and the rest of her crew, Romada sets out on what should have been a simple rescue mission, but as they begin raiding the siren holding camps and witness horrors there, they have to make a choice: fully commit to a burgeoning resistance against these atrocities, or stop for nothing and no one to find Neiara before she’s lost to them forever.

Call Forth the Moonlight by Z.M. Celestaire

Deubrise is a land blessed by the breath of the slumbering gods. Magíq lives within nature, powerful and beautiful. Few else can harness it besides the gryphons that reside in the mountains near Nico De Falco’s home, and the rare magíqon like Nico’s little sister. But magíqon are shunned and feared by modern society. To protect himself from such treatment, Dr. Ackerleigh Sebring keeps his magíq a secret. Yet his “radical” teachings of magíqal history gets him fired from Ravensbourne University. Desperate, he finds a gamekeeper job caring for an imprisoned gryphon. Finally, he can be his whole self. That is, until Nico follows a misguided impulse and frees the gryphon, injuring Ackerleigh accidentally. Their fates—and feelings—become entangled in their determination to protect the sacred magíq of the gryphon. Ackerleigh and Nico will stop at nothing for the sake of liberation.

The Time Trials by Jon & Dayna McConnell

"Four players. It's in the rules." "Is this like, some sort of academic decathlon or something?" "Something like that." Walkman-toting, guitar-playing Finn Mallory blames himself for his parents' deaths and would do anything to turn back time and set things right. So, when he's recruited into a secret club at his new school that specializes in competitive time travel games, Finn sees a world of opportunity open before him. The games, however, are far from benign. Competition is cutthroat. Scenarios are rigged. And the mysterious timekeepers who organize it all have no qualms about using-or disposing of-players to suit their own sinister plans. Now Finn must decide who he can trust while making peace with his past if he's to have any hope of leading his team to victory and surviving his junior year. As the games commence, it's time to press rewind. “A resonant blend of teen drama and SF adventure." - Kirkus Reviews

What Death Forgets by Thea Verdone

Never meet your hero, don't tattoo his art all over your body, and definitely don't fall in love with him. When up-and-coming artist, Asher Blakely, is invited to ​compete for a prestigious art mentorship hosted by his hero, ​the reclusive celebrity artist Leviathan Marks, he’ll do ​whatever it takes to win. Because Asher isn’t just any fan. ​He’s spent hours of pain and thousands of dollars turning ​Leviathan’s art into tattoos on his skin. But the more Asher gets to know the mercurial Leviathan, ​the more he starts to fear that maybe he never should have ​met his hero, that maybe Leviathan is no hero at all. Lev Marks collects people like paintings and he’ll stop at ​nothing to add Asher Blakely to his halls. But after luring ​Asher to his ancestral castle perched atop a tidal island, Lev starts to have second ​thoughts. Because Asher’s art is a mirror showing Lev all the worst ​parts of himself, and he can’t risk his secrets getting out. What Death Forgets is an MM modern gothic romance featuring -master painter x art prodigy protégé -hurt/comfort -anxiety and ADHD rep
 -touch-starved MC -angst -age gap
 -forced proximity -creepy castle -limerence to insta-love -mutual obsession -spicy Perfect for fans of Saltburn, Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, Sierra Simone's Thornchapel series, and A Picture of Dorian Gray.

Haroun and the Study of Mischief by Lynn Strong

“Don’t get a torch too close to his djellaba.” “It might catch fire?” “You might see it.” Venerable Haroun, the blind saluqi priest of the dog-headed god Yepuet, has come to the wild and collarless Tel-Bastet, the City of Cats, for an education in mischief. And Haroun has never met a crime of fashion he wouldn’t commit. Shai Madhur, the disabled human priest of Upaja, thought accepting Haroun’s leash meant being Haroun’s seeing-eye human. He wasn’t prepared for the political machinations… or for Haroun’s sense of humor. When a kind prophet-prince goes missing, Haroun smells iniquity in the air. (Iniquity, it turns out, smells like kumiss spilled on a tomcat in dire need of a bath.) The problem with everyone in Tel-Bastet knowing what a Good Boy their Shai Madhur is, is that people keep trying to rescue him, whether he needs it or not. Not that he’s complaining, exactly. But Madhur swears he is never going carousing again… no matter how soulful Haroun’s puppydog eyes are. With a splash of Studio Ghibli, a sprinkle of Roshani Chokshi, and a dash of Terry Pratchett, when the cats and dogs need to learn to live together, Haroun and Madhur take on the difference between what is seen and what is true.

Dumpster Kid by Cameron James

At just 17, McKenzie Jackson took the world by storm with Dumpster Kid, his raw, unfiltered musical about survival, hope, and finding where you belong. Now, a decade later, the prodigy-turned-playwright is ready to reclaim his voice as his show gets a long-overdue revival. But this time, McKenzie won’t just sit back and watch—he’s making sure it’s done his way. Enter a nationwide talent search, a live reality competition, and one dangerously charming contestant who makes McKenzie question everything. Falling for him? Bad idea. Falling for him on national television? Career suicide. And when an unscripted, unapologetic gay kiss ignites both celebration and backlash, McKenzie is thrown into a firestorm he never expected. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Ben is ready to disappear. Bullies, school, and home feel unbearable, and he longs to be anyone but himself. When an opportunity brings him into the orbit of Dumpster Kid, he’s faced with a choice: run from the life he knows or fight for the future he never believed he deserved. Told through dual perspectives, Dumpster Kid is a story of love, identity, and the messy, beautiful chaos of finding where you truly belong. A celebration of art, queerness, and the family we choose, this heart-wrenching yet hopeful novel asks: what happens when the world finally sees you for who you really are?

Young Wizards Society by Dillon McKenzie

A new era begins at Myddrin School for Magic—whether the wizarding world is ready or not. When a revolutionary law opens the doors of Myddrin to Elves, Fairies, Pixies, and even Vampires with wizard blood, the school’s centuries-old traditions are shaken to their core. For some students, it’s a long-awaited opportunity. For others, it’s the beginning of chaos. Justin, a returning student with a secret heritage, teams up with Indie, a Witch with Elven roots, and Marshall, a mysterious newcomer with more to hide than most. As they settle into their school year, they discover that acceptance on paper doesn’t equal equality in practice. Segregation, suspicion, and rising tensions threaten to unravel everything magic is supposed to stand for. When a dark incident sparks fear across the school, the students must decide: stay silent, or stand together. Forming a defiant alliance known as the Circle of the Zodiac, they uncover a mystery that could endanger not just their place at Myddrin—but the future of magic itself. Friendship, identity, and magical rebellion collide in Young Wizard Society—a powerful fantasy about fighting for the right to belong.

Merman's Delight by Skyler Nightshade

After a successful mating season, Glacier returns to the lighthouse he calls home to rest and watch over his treasure pile. Used to spending his days left alone by the human who lives there, he is surprised to find that the lighthouse is being tended by someone new--someone much more curious about the merman who’s been protecting the shore. It doesn’t take long before Glacier is discovered, and the chase is on. Will Glacier be able to escape, or will this human catch him? And why are forbidden feelings starting to grow the longer Glacier is pursued?

War in Sorcery's Shadow by Elise Carlson

Myth says the Guardians ended the Sorcery War by draining all sorcerers of their powers, or killing them. The Guardians then vanished without a trace —and so did magic. But the myths are wrong. Magic wielders lived on in hiding. Now Sorcerer King Nartzeer is recruiting them, in a world that hates and fears their power. Terrorised by Nartzeer’s pre-emptive strike, Ruarnon’s Guardian-descent-claiming allies set sail to annihilate Nartzeer. Ruarnon hopes to free their family from Nartzeer’s clutches first, but Ruarnon’s uncle won’t abandon the army he commands to slavery. Linh is killing two birds with one stone, using her role as Ruarnon’s envoy to potential allies to track down sorcerers to open her magic gateway home. She learns that Nartzeer is rallying a sorcery army while his neighbours mobilise against him, and sorcerers whose awesome power Nartzeer’s ideology undermines, the dreaded God Kings, are stirring. With sorcerers on all fronts marching towards mutually assured destruction, Linh and Ruarnon race to reach Nartzeer with the truth of magical ancestry and allegiance, hoping to unite people who are not so different, before they utterly destroy each other.

The Assassin and the Sorceress by NRG Selove

A ruthless assassin. A wisecracking sorceress. A perilous journey that will reshape the Kingdom. Driven by money and hatred, Jessara is the greatest of the King’s royal assassins. An autistic elf born in the forests of Anwood, Jessara was trained from childhood to become the perfect weapon against the Compact of the elves. When it comes to a special capture or kill contract, she’s the obvious choice when the King needs a delicate touch. Her target: a mysterious fugitive human sorceress named Asha Weaver. A specialist in fire magic, Asha narrowly manages to escape execution in the capital city of the Kingdom. Her impulsive and reckless nature prove to be a challenge when a series of misadventures forces the assassin and the sorceress to work together. Loyalties will be questioned as the reluctant partners battle monsters, hide secrets, overcome betrayal, and face the inconvenient feelings growing between them.

To Speak with the Stars (Apprenticed to the Gods #1) by K.V. Wilson

A reluctant mage reborn in flames. A passionate princess fleeing her fate. A powerful telepath at the mercy of the world’s thoughts. A spirited goddess craving adventure. With Penumbra on the brink of an ice age, Eos dreams of helping to create the False Star each dawn to ensure the survival of his people. But there's just one problem: he cannot speak the star's name. In the eye of the storm, Rysa was raised to rule at her mother's side. But a terrible secret has been kept from the princess—one that will tear her life apart. Deep within the molten Heart of Penumbra, a secret society gathers. Elves, dwarves, fauns, ice dragons, and magma merfolk prepare to seize the stolen throne and end the enchanted storm before it devours the realm.

The Lies That They Tell by TM Lore

The Lies That They Tell is the tantalizing sequel to the gritty and dark award winning thriller novel The Secrets That They Keep. Alyx Beck has been crowned Queen and must now become everything she hates. To survive-while surrounded by the spiders that want to eat her alive-she'll have to perform her role within the hierarchy; which means she must be bred by her King. Kept from her neurodivergent twin brother, Alyx has no idea how he's doing and worries if she doesn't fulfill her role as child-bearer her brother will be found and killed for her shortcomings. She'll have to use every weapon at her disposal, including her mouth, to keep him safe. That is if the spiders don't kill her first. It's Blink Twice meets Filthy Rich. This dark thriller has a female protagonist, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ characters. Content warnings can be found at the beginning of the novel.

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake

Rin moves into a new flat on the day the aliens arrive. Their new flatmates are laid-back Sanjay and conspiracy theorist Pete. It doesn't take long to notice some oddities about the pair, like hoarding cardboard and hissing at people when they're angry. Something strange is going on, but it's not all due to the aliens.

Leave a Light on for Me by Briar Holloway

A year after her mum’s death, twenty-something trans woman Natalie Dawson is on a downward spiral, self-medicating with alcohol and binge-watching Buffy. She’s let her veganism lapse, abandoned her culinary dreams, and checked out of every connection she’s ever made. The present’s bleak, the future bleaker. Until she falls in love with Veronica, a woman twice her age who likes nothing more than to play games that would put Steven Shainberg’s Secretary to shame. After discovering a box of old mix tapes, Natalie’s convinced she’s found signs her late mum saw her as a daughter after all. A trail of pop songs and power ballads provide a lifeline, one that’ll see her exhume the role she played in her mum’s death, and bring Veronica’s own secrets to the surface. Splicing the complex romance of The Phantom Thread with the metaphorical ghosts of Six Feet Under, the novel is perfect for readers of Torrey Peters and Caroline O'Donoghue, and fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and My Year of Rest and Relaxation.