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Romance Authors Coming to Life: A Deep Dive into Our August Reads
Summer heat and romance novels go together like piña coladas and beach days. This month, we’re exploring contemporary romance authors. And our selections took us on quite the journey through emotional landscapes, small-town settings, and characters who feel incredibly authentic. (Not to mention, BOTH books features first dates at roller rinks which we are totally here for.)
Nicole Danielle’s Book: Mixed Signals by B. K. Borison
Nicole’s selection, “Mixed Signals” by B.K. Borison, represents contemporary romance at its finest. Set during late summer (how appropriate for our current weather!), this slow-burn romance features Layla, a bakery owner; and Caleb, an ex-firefighter turned Spanish teacher. Their meet-cute happens after Layla gets ditched by a date at a restaurant, where Caleb is celebrating his brother’s birthday. What follows is a month-long “practice dating” arrangement that inevitably leads to something deeper.
The beauty of this novel lies in its realistic dialogue and genuinely funny moments — Nicole reports laughing out loud more during this book than any other she’s read. Caleb represents that perfect romance hero: considerate, thoughtful, and genuinely nice while still maintaining his status as “the sexiest man alive” (Nicole’s words!). The combination of delicious baked goods with sensual descriptions creates an enticing atmosphere throughout the narrative.
Meghan Leigh’s Book: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Meanwhile, Meghan’s pick, “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” by Ashley Herring Blake, offers a compelling narrative about a photographer returning to her hometown for her stepsister’s wedding. Delilah, a queer artist struggling in New York, reluctantly accepts the photography job for financial reasons. Upon arrival, she discovers flirting with her stepsister’s best friend, Claire, is the perfect way to create havoc. Except genuine feelings begin to develop.
What makes this book exceptional is the attention to character development. No one is one-dimensional. Even characters initially presented as potential antagonists reveal complex motivations and histories. The writing sparkles with wit, particularly through the character of Iris, whose vulgar quips and fierce loyalty make her a standout supporting character.
Take-Aways from the Books
Both books demonstrate the strength of contemporary romance in creating characters who feel like real people with authentic struggles. In “Mixed Signals,” we see Caleb’s genuine care in researching and planning dates based on Layla’s interests. It’s a thoughtful approach Nicole feels can work for any relationship, new or old. “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” explores the healing power of confronting past hurts and misunderstandings, showing how perceptions formed in childhood can color our adult relationships until we’re brave enough to challenge them.
The spice level in both novels (dubbed “jalapeño” by our hosts) proves satisfying without overwhelming the emotional core of the stories. Nicole notes “Mixed Signals” takes its time building to intimate scenes, while Meghan shares “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” incorporates them more often. Both approaches work beautifully for their respective stories, proving the pacing of physical intimacy should serve the emotional journey of the characters.
As we look forward to Romance Con in Milwaukee, these books have certainly heightened our excitement about meeting these talented authors. The depth of characterization, quality of writing, and emotional resonance in both novels demonstrate why romance as a genre continues to thrive. It offers readers not just escape but genuine insight into human connection, communication and growth.
We Invite You to Read & Share!
Whether you prefer your romance with a side of baked goods or artistic photography, we strongly feel both “Mixed Signals” and “Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” deserve a place on your reading list. They represent romance at its best: funny, touching, spicy when appropriate, and ultimately affirming of the transformative power of love in its many forms.
Have you read either of these contemporary romances? What did you think of them? Comment below! We’d love to hear from you. Interested in reading them yourself? Here are your shopping links:
Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
To learn more about author B.K. Borison, click here. And to learn more about award-winning author Ashley Herring Blake, click here. Want to listen to the podcast episode? We’re available on pretty much all your favorite podcast streaming services. Or you can visit our podcast player page here. And if you like to read romance novels and imbibe cocktails like we do, we’ve got some fabulous cocktails pairings especially curated for this podcast episode and these books here.
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