Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

Hi my fellow bookworms,

(c) Kasie West & St. Martin's Publishing Group, 2026

Today I am happy to share with you my review of Kasie West's Stranger Things Have Happened. Thank you to St. Martin's Press Group for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy ("ARC")!

I have long awaited this contemporary romance novel, as I have been a fan of Ms. West's Young Adult ("YA") fiction. I am very much a fan of her YA novels, such as The Fill-In Boyfriend, Love Life & the List, and Lucky in Love, to name a few. While Stranger Things Have Happened is technically her second adult novel, following We Met Like This, it is a standalone novel that will make you melt, laugh, and just feel good! 

The story starts with Sutton, a woman back in her hometown taking care of her mom, who just had a serious accident. Acting as her mom's caretaker, Sutton is away from her work -- running a new restaurant and struggling to keep it afloat. Unfortunately, just as she arrives in her old hometown, her boyfriend breaks up with her over the phone, her restaurant partner says the business is experiencing problems, and her mom says the other caretakers are better at taking care of her than she is. What a predicament! Lost in a stupor, Sutton bumps into her best friend from high school, Tara, Tara's fiancé, Michael, and Michael's brother, Elijah. Upon reuniting with her once-best friend, Sutton finds out that Tara wants to attend couples therapy with Michael before tying the knot. Michael, however, is against therapy. Tara enlists the help of Sutton, making a bet to attend for Sutton to attend couples therapy with Elijah. If the therapist realizes they are not a couple, Michael will attend therapy with Tara. If the therapist does not realize it, Sutton must sing karaoke live in front of a crowd (her worst nightmare). 

And so begins a fun rom-com full of spicy hi-jinks, real-life worries like parent-child expectations, and a brief mention of how therapy can actually help you navigate life. While the book used therapy as a premise for Sutton and Elijah to date, it was not discussed at length to distract from the plot. I actually wish that there was more of a mention (perhaps an afterword?) of how therapy can and does help both individuals and couples navigate life in a healthy way. But personal opinions of mental health aside, if you are in the mood for a fun romance (especially if you are at the beach this summer), I highly recommend Kasie West's Stranger Things Have Happened! Given the spicy content, I recommend this title for new adults and older. 

I also recommend her YA titles, but those are written more for a younger crowd. So, if you are looking for more a clean, contemporary romance with happy vibes and cute romance tropes? Look no further! Kasie West is your author!

About the Author: Kasie West

(c) Kasie West, 2026

Kasie West is the author of many YA novels, including Sunkissed, The Fill-In Boyfriend, P.S. I Like You, Better Than Revenge, and Pivot Point. Her books have been named ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, Junior Library Guild Selections, and ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults. We Met Like This is her debut adult novel. When she's not writing, she's binge-watching television, devouring books, or is on the Central Coast, burying her toes in the sand. Kasie lives in Fresno, California, with her family. 

From the author's website: How It All Started

Back in 2011, when I could still eat gluten and dairy, I sent a query letter to Michelle Wolfson for the fourth (or fifth, I can’t remember exactly) book I wrote, Pivot Point (we will never again refer to the three or four books I wrote previously, except to say, they were practice books and will stay in the depths of an old laptop that is now in a drawer somewhere in my house). Michelle offered me representation and not long after that, HarperTeen bought my book! Through a combination of lots of writing and lots of work and lots of luck, I’ve been able to publish many books since then. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. And forever grateful to the readers who continue to read and share my books. Thank you!

Cover Reveal: The Moonlit Woods by Eliza Tilton

Happy weekend my fellow bookworms!

I wanted to share with you a new book that is coming out that I am excited to read: The Moonlit Woods by Eliza Tilton. This is an adult fantasy romance novel that you can jump into once it is released on January 18, 2022! Ms. Tilton has stated that it will be book 1 out of 5, but it can be read as a standalone novel. 

Here is the official blurb and cover release:

When marriage or death are your only options, you break all the rules.

Rosalie is sold to the magistrate of Farrow's Gate to compete in a marriage competition. If she wins, her home is saved. If she loses, she’ll be forced to work off her family’s debt in an undisclosed location.

But the magistrate won’t just marry any human. He wants a mate whose magic rivals his own, and Rosalie can’t ever reveal just how powerful she is. In the world of Saol magic is regulated, and if the Magi Council discovered what she is, it won’t just be her life at risk.

Her only chance of escape is with the magistrate’s bodyguard, Baine: a dark, too handsome fae, and one who has no interest in helping a human girl.

Until one night in the moonlit woods when everything changes, and suddenly Rosalie is torn between what she wants and what is right.

Losing the competition means death, winning means the death of others, and Rosalie is out of time. If she doesn't choose soon, someone will do it for her.

Save it to your Goodreads profile and/or pre-order it on Amazon today. I cannot wait to read it!

~*~

Happy fall everyone! I am happy for the change of the season, as fall is such a beautiful time and it means there is so many new books coming out. What are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time! Stay safe and happy reading! :)

Mistress of the Vampire by Elena Darkmoon

Lenna Stone is a young college student who has a rocky relationship with her grandfather, has a loving best friend named Sarah, a cute boy named Adam who follows her around, yet seems to be missing something in her life. That is, until she meets Magnus, a mysterious man with emerald green eyes and a magnetic gaze that she cannot help bumping into. Due to a series of events, Lenna applies for a job as a maid, but little does she know, her new boss is Magnus!

Taken from Lenna's point of view and later alternating to 1888 with a flashback point of view from another character, Isaac, the reader is taken on a roller coaster of events. Lenna is at first a bit of a weak character, always depending on others. As the book continues, however, Lenna comes into her own and becomes a strong character you want to cheer for. Isaac's story is actually quite interesting as it's own vampire story apart from the main story line. You may be confused why there are flashbacks to the past, and I can say I was sad when they ended, but the end of the book ties everything up and sets up for a sequel.

In my own personal opinion, I would have liked to learn more about Magnus and Leena, their likes and dislikes, and more of a relationship-based story than just chemistry between the two. I would also like more information on the vampire lore in the series, as it seems that vampire books always have different rules from each other, and hope that book two will explain more. You can tell that the author is starting to find her voice, but certainly has a way to capture her audience and provide a great plot twist.

Reminiscent of other vampire and romance stories, such as Twilight and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mistress of the Vampire makes it's own path and leaves you wanting more. This is the first book in the series. Recommended for adults (18+).

Visit the Mistress of the Vampire Goodreads page or buy the book via Amazon here. Be sure to follow Ms. Darkmoon for updates on the sequel!