Laura: Welcome to the show. I'm so happy to have you back! I'm excited to chat with you about Kindle Unlimited book recommendations. We have about seven books to recommend today. They're mostly small-town romances from various settings. There's a couple of romantic suspense, some horse girl books, and plenty of new-to-you authors.

Laura: The first recommendation is "The Ick Factor" by Morgan Elizabeth. This is the final book in the "Thesisism for Revenge" series. I read "Thesisism for Revenge," which is a Legally Blonde reimagined holiday story, a couple of years ago and loved it. There’s actually a listicle for that book. This book is a fun romcom about a group of friends who love petty revenge. Each book builds on the revenge theme more and more. This fourth book in the series can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous books might help you get to know the characters better.

Laura: In this story, the heroine has an "ick factor" for everyone she dates. Something happens where her boss tells his boss that he's engaged, so he needs a fake fiancée quickly. The heroine works at a dating service from another book in the series, vetting men before they can go on matchmaking dates. She meets her boss at an event and he explains his predicament, and she volunteers to be his fake fiancée. They’re attracted to each other, and she doesn’t get the ick factor from him. It’s a healthy relationship with lots of petty revenge, a villain, a great friend group, and workplace shenanigans. It’s mostly set in New Jersey but has a small-town feel.

Laura: Next, we have Ashley Munoz's first book in her MC series. I'm new to the motorcycle club (MC) world, but it’s similar to a rough-around-the-edges mafia romance, with morally gray characters. This is a second-chance romance where the heroine returns home after her father's death and has to deal with her past and the MC she left behind. The guy she was involved with in high school is now the head of the MC. There’s a lot of conflict, angst, and romantic suspense. Both books in this series are available on Hoopla if you’re an audiobook listener.

Laura: The next one is "Holding the Reins" by Paisley Hope. This is a debut author, and I see potential in her work. It’s sold as a horse girl small-town romance, but it's mainly a workplace romance. The heroine returns to her small town in Kentucky after a breakup and starts working at a rink. The hero is a former hockey player and a workaholic. This book was a bit of a miss for me, but I’m curious about the rest of the series.

Laura: "I Wish I Had Forever" by Jessica Peterson is the third book in a series set on an island off the North Carolina coast. It’s a spicy, fake-marriage romance where the heroine’s father, who is sick with cancer, wishes for her to get married. They decide to get married for real, and the hero moves her into his home. It’s a standalone book, but I’m planning to read the rest of the series because I loved this one.

Laura: "Whispers of You" by Catherine Cowles is a small-town romantic suspense. This second-chance romance has a shocking prologue and is best read blind for all the twists and turns. Katherine Cowles writes two consistent plots: romance and romantic suspense, perfect for thriller readers or those who like edgier stories.

Laura: "Stay" by Willa Aster is the final book in the Landmark series. This is a single dad, nanny romance with a cute kid, meddling family, and a bit of football. It has an age gap and is a fun standalone, but reading the series in order is recommended. Willa Astor is coming out with a new series next month.

Laura: "Wild Love" by Elsie Silver is my most anticipated small-town romance series. It’s a billionaire romance with mutual pining and banter. The hero has been keeping tabs on the heroine, who’s down on her luck. He comes to save her life, and there’s a cute tween involved. The one criticism is that it’s a bit too long, but the audio version is enjoyable.

Laura: Finally, "The Sky's Over Caledonia" by Samantha Young is the fourth book in her Highland series. This marriage-of-convenience story involves the heroine moving to Scotland and needing to get married to save the hero’s farm. They’ve been pining for each other for years, and the sexual tension is palpable. Samantha Young writes Scotland so well, and if you haven’t read her "On Dublin Street" series, you should.

Laura: So, those are the recommendations for today's episode. Tell me what you've been reading! If you have a book you love, send me an email at laura@whattoreadnextblog.com. I’d love to chat books with you. Thank you so much for listening and happy reading!