Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah

 Book Excerpt!

'A gripping legal thriller that will leave you reeling. A book that will stay with you long after the last page. The ending is a stunner!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This was a roller coaster of a book, an immersive read, a sublime plot with very open and direct dialogue. Expertly written and highly recommended. Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Kia Abdullah is the absolute queen of the courtroom drama' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'WOW!! This book is astonishingly brilliant! An absolute masterpiece.'

Title: Next of Kin

Author: Kia Abdullah

Publisher:  K. A.

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'Next Of Kin' by Kia Abdullah

My Review:

'Next of Kin' is a powerful and emotional story that gives you plenty to think about once you finish. I kept asking myself, what happened to that poor child?

If you enjoy family drama with court cases, this novel has plenty of that to offer.

The story keeps you turning the pages, eager to find out what happens next and what secrets will be revealed.

Give it a read if you like stories with surprising endings.

Buzz Books 2026: Romance with Publishers Lunch

 Book Excerpt:

"Welcome to Buzz Books: Romance 2026, curated by industry insider Publishers Marketplace to showcase upcoming books from both established voices and emerging talents. Whether you are an avid reader of horror romance, age-gap, or mafia, or simply curious about this fast-growing genre, this edition has something for everyone. Peruse 29 exclusive excerpts from some of the buzziest upcoming love stories, steamy makeouts, and monster mashes of the year. At the end of most excerpts, you will find a link to download or request the full galley—exclusive to the NetGalley edition!

Discover compelling stories filled with mythology and love triangles like Bethan Croome’s Reign, or F1 academy rivalries in Piper Lawson’s Crash Course, or the culturally rich Palestinian-American romance in Zahra, Unapologetic, and a new installment in Keri Lake’s New York Times bestselling The Eating Woods trilogy. This diverse collection spans young adult, new adult, and adult romance, featuring alluring subgenres and tropes such as sports romance, contemporary romance, dark academia, romantasy, Western, and more.

And of course, our popular heat scale is back, too 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! We hope this helps guide your reading choices—whether you like the bedroom door cracked or blown wide open.

Buzz Books is our love letter to the books and reading community we adore, and we are glad you are part of building the buzz for great books."

Title: Buzz Books 2026

Authors:  Various 

Publishers: Various

Reviewed By: Arlena Deam

Rating: Five

Review: Buzz Books 2026: Romance with Publishers Lunch 

My Review:  

I look forward to reading several of the interesting titles you have provided. I did find a few authors whose books sounded like my kind of romantic reads. Many of these reads are loaded with good information about their novels.  

Thanks to Buzz Books for the opportunity to read and review this sampler.

In What World by Bridget Morrissey

Book Excerpt:

"Two high school rivals begrudgingly reunite as adults to investigate the disappearance of their beloved former teacher, only to wind up traveling through a series of alternate realities together.

Total opposites, Marlowe Jenkins and Priscilla Covington-French hated each other in high school. Now in their thirties, Marlowe is barely scraping by while Priscilla is wildly successful. Their rivalry should be long dead, yet both women remain connected through their mutual mentor, drama teacher Dallas Winthrop. Their unending tension has nothing to do with the fact that they've kissed. More than once.

When Dallas goes missing, each woman believes she can figure out where he is. Except this is no ordinary disappearance. Dallas has found a way to explore alternate versions of reality. While trying to follow him, Marlowe and Priscilla find other versions of themselves instead, surprised to learn that not all Marlowes and Priscillas are fueled by hate. In fact, some Marlowes and Priscillas have very different strong feelings for one another...

The more Marlowe and Priscilla are forced to rely on each other, the harder it becomes to ignore their simmering attraction. But with every alternate reality they search, they only get further from their real life and responsibilities. Do they play it safe and hide behind their rivalry, or take a chance on each other that could permanently change the world as they know it?"

Title: In What World

Author: Bridget Morrissey

Publisher:  Berkley

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'In What World' by Bridget Morrissey

My Review:  

"In What World" is a romantic read with interesting characters [Marlowe Jenkins, Priscilla Covington, and Dallas Winthrop] who deliver an engaging and meaningful story that keeps readers turning the pages. I enjoyed how the author presented a compelling story with multiverse timelines, adding interest.

By the end, readers get a sapphic romance with magical elements that holds their interest through the alternating timeline.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bridget Morrissey, and Berkley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

IRL: In Real Life Kindle Edition Aja

 Book Excerpt:

"Talia Vaughn knows better than to confuse online chemistry with real-life intimacy.

Micah Sutton is grounded, careful, intentional, and far too easy to want, but what starts in comments, mutual circles, and public familiarity quickly becomes something neither of them can keep casual.

As private moments deepen and real feelings rise, timeline drama, old almost, nosey family, and best-friend reads force Talia and Micah to face the difference between being desired and being loved out loud.

Because some connections are cute online.
Some are dangerous in person.
And some are too real to hide.

IRL (In Real Life) is a grown, sexy standalone Black romance about online chemistry, public mess, private feelings, real-life intimacy, and love that has to show up everywhere it matters."

Title:  IRL: In Real Life

Author:  Aja

Publisher:   She Loves Words Publishing

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

'IRL: In Real Life' by Aja

My Review:

This romance novel explores realistic themes and keeps readers interested from start to finish. The ending leaves you wanting to know more.

Aja tells the story of Talia Janae Vaugh and Micah Sutton in a way that draws you in. Their conflicts are interesting, and the way things work out feels satisfying.

Talia and Micah are a great match, even as they face different challenges together.

The story brings in characters like Kendra, Zaria, Clara, Nicole, Devon, Mena, Bryce, Candice, and others, which adds to the novel's mature and thoughtful tone. Please pick up this good read to see how well the story ends.

Trials & Tribulations (MPWG Law Firm Book 4) by B. Love

 Book Excerpt:

"For Navy Robertson, she has literally everything she wants except marriage and a family of her own. While she believes she might be able to get those things with her boyfriend, Ian, his toxic back-and-forth with her closest friend is causing drama in their relationship that Navy is finding harder to ignore.

For over a decade, Zander Gough has been content being Navy's closest friend. The more serious things get between her and Ian, the more difficult it is for Zander to deny his feelings for her. When Navy decides her friendship means more than her romantic relationship, she sees a side of Zander and Ian that she didn't expect.

Will the truth of their feelings shift these friends into lovers, or will Ian's claim on Navy's heart ruin her friendship with Zander for good?"

Title:  Trials & Tribulations

Author:  B. Love

Publisher:  Prolific Pen Pusher

Series:  MPWG Law Firm Book 4

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'Trials & Tribulations' by B. Love 

My Review:  

'Trials and Tribulations' emerged as my preferred series within this group. I found the relationship between Navy and Zander particularly compelling, as the author skillfully developed their connection from friendship to romance, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. This series resonated with me more than the others. I encourage readers to explore it and discover the reasons for my enthusiasm.

Plea (MPWG Law Firm Book 3) by B. Love

 
Book Excerpt:

"Venus Atkins has everything she wants in life and believes it will be complete after she is married to her fiancé. The problem is, the closer they get to the wedding, the more her relationship with Trevor unravels. She's never been a cheater, but the chemistry she has with Carson has her questioning not only her relationship but her moral code as well. As difficult as it is, Venus makes it to the day of her wedding faithfully, but it isn't her fiancé who wants the first look—it's Carson.

Carson Walker is a certified lover boy who has the heart, looks, and wealth to get any woman he wants. Ironically, the moment he finds out he has a baby on the way, he connects with a woman on a deeper level than he ever has before. Refusing to believe in love at first sight, Carson commits himself to his baby and the unofficial relationship he has with Asia. However, when it's time for Venus to say I Do, Carson realizes it won't be as easy as he thought it would be to let go of a woman he's technically never had.

Will Venus and Trevor tie the knot, or will she find herself entangled by a soul tie formed with Carson without her consent?"

Title:  Plea

Author:  B. Love

Publisher:  Prolific Pen Pusher

Series:  MPWG Law Firm Book 3

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'Plea' by B. Love

My Review:  

'Plea' was another enjoyable work by this author, as she effectively depicted the love and respect between Carson and Venus. I appreciated how Carson demonstrated clarity in his desires. The narrative was engaging and dynamic, particularly due to the complex interactions involving Trevor and Asia. Readers will need to explore this third installment to fully appreciate its presentation.

I look forward to reading the next series, MPWB Law Firm Book 4, to discover its developments.

Inadmissible (MPWG Law Firm Book 2) by B. Love

Book Excerpt:

"Growing up watching her father habitually cheat on her mother scarred Taj Sanders in ways she didn't recognize until she noticed the same pattern in her own relationships. When her fiancé cheats on her and gets his side chick pregnant, Taj decides she's done with men and love altogether. A drunken night at a hotel bar puts her at the mercy of a stranger who chooses to protect her and keep her safe instead of taking advantage of her—and he makes sure no one else does either.

Tristan Pierce, a quarter of the partnership for Montgomery, Pierce, Walker, and Gough, is known as the best strategist in Rose Valley Hills. When he lays eyes on Taj one year after saving her at the bar, he's determined to not let her get away again so easily. He plays along, helping her make her ex jealous, which leads to them spending the night together. For Taj, one night is enough. For Tristan, their night together is the beginning of their forever.

As fate would have it, Taj finds in Tristan a man safe enough to choose and worthy of her love. Unfortunately, that's no longer her heart's desire. Tristan makes it his mission not only to soften her heart to love but to return her to her softness as a woman. With her hesitance to trust him and a lingering ex that won't let go, Tristan is in for the biggest strategic undertaking of his life. Planned correctly, his actions can lead to his happily ever after with the woman he's confident will be his wife. But one incorrect move or inadmissible action, and he may scar Taj's heart worse than it already is."

Title:  Inadmissible

Author:  B. Love

Publisher:  Prolific Pen Pusher

Series:  MPWG Law Firm Book 2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'Inadmissible' by B. Love 

My Review:

'Inadmissible' is another great series that keeps you interested with the story of Tristian and Taj. I enjoyed reading about how patient Tristian was with Taj, especially since she struggled to trust men after everything she had been through. Can Tristian help Taj change her mind? Can the right kind of love heal her heart? I recommend picking up this book to see how the author tells their story. Now, I'm looking forward to the next series, MPWG Law Firms Book 3, to find out what happens next.