SAM&PAM's Book Radar

SAM&PAM's Book Radar

by KAO

Books Self-Improvement

Season 1

Mary Balogh's Remember When: Can a Carpenter and Countess Find Love?

Remember When by Mary Balogh is a romance novel published in 2025. The story takes place in 1818 and centers around Clarissa Ware, the Dowager Countess of Stratton, who returns to her family estate, Ravenswood, after the death of her husband. Seeking a peaceful summer of solitude and reflection, she reconnects with Matthew Taylor, her childhood friend, who now lives a simple life as the village carpenter. Their renewed friendship rekindles a deep connection from their youth, challenging societal expectations and sparking local gossip . Despite the rumors and disapproval from their families , they navigate their feelings and past experiences, including Matthew's previous marriage and the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. As they spend more time together, their bond deepens, leading them to confront their feelings and the possibility of a future together. Ultimately, they choose to defy conventions and embrace their love [26], leading to their marriage and a new chapter in their lives. #SecondChances, #ForbiddenLove, #Widow, #Carpenter, #SmallTownRomance, #CountryEstate, #FamilyDrama, #SocialClass, #SelfDiscovery, #LaterInLifeRomance, #RememberWhen, #MaryBalogh

(2025) Single Player by Tara TAI

Single Player, a novel by Tara Tai, is categorized as romance and was published in January 2025. The story follows Catherine Li, an aspiring video game writer who lands her dream job at the prestigious Heartrender Studios. Working on their highly anticipated game Compass Hollow, Catherine is tasked with developing the game's romantic storylines. Initially excited about the project, Catherine soon clashes with her boss, Andi Zhang, the lead writer and narrative director known for their work on the acclaimed game Aftermath. Andi, however, is resistant to including romance in the game, believing it unnecessary and potentially harmful to the game's overall quality . As they work together, Catherine and Andi navigate their conflicting views on romance in gaming and their growing attraction to each other. #Romance, #Gaming, #LGBTQ+, #VideoGames, #IndieGames, #LoveStory, #StrongFemaleLead, #WorkplaceRomance, #EnemiesToLovers, #NerdCulture, #SinglePlayerTaraTai, #TaraTai

(2025) Sweet Fury by Sash BISCHOFF

Sweet Fury, by Sash Bischoff, is a thriller novel published in January 2025. The story follows Lila Crayne, a famous film actress, as she navigates the treacherous world of Hollywood while grappling with a dark past. Lila is in a relationship with Kurt Royall, a successful director who is making a feminist adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night, starring Lila. As Lila delves deeper into Fitzgerald's work, she uncovers disturbing parallels between her own life and the characters in the novel. Lila's relationship with Kurt is revealed to be abusive, and she seeks help from her therapist, Jonah Gabriel, a Fitzgerald scholar. Through therapy, Lila begins to confront the trauma of her past, which involves a mysterious accident and her mother's role in it. As Lila's relationship with Jonah intensifies, she embarks on a dangerous game of revenge, determined to expose Kurt and reclaim her own narrative. However, Lila's past and present collide in a shocking climax that reveals the true depths of her manipulation and the devastating consequences of her actions.

(2025) The Last Demon Hunter by Vaughn HEPPNER & Stormweaver

The Last Demon Hunter, by Vaughn Heppner & STORMWEAVER, is a fantasy novel published in 2025. The story follows Dane Thorson, a wheelchair-bound security officer at the Quantum Gateway Institute. Dane discovers a dimensional breach and is pulled into the world of Holger, a realm threatened by demons. He finds himself wielding Veriax, the Blade of Truth, a powerful artifact that chooses him as its wielder. Guided by Roland, a seasoned ranger, Dane learns to navigate the treacherous Wastelands and fight the corrupting influence of the Dark Lands. Along the way, he encounters strange creatures, levels up his skills, and faces formidable enemies. His ultimate mission is to rescue Elena, a woman taken by demons. #fantasy, #demons, #magic, #adventure, #sword, #portal, #chosenone, #darklands, #corruption, #hero, #TheLastDemonHunter, #VaughnHeppner

(2025) The Note, by Alafair BURKE

The Note, by Alafair Burke, is a suspense novel published in 2025.. The story revolves around May Hanover, a former prosecutor turned law professor, and her friends Lauren and Kelsey. During a vacation in the Hamptons, the trio becomes entangled in a missing person case when they encounter David Smith, who is later found murdered. May's past as a prosecutor and her tendency to "amateur-sleuth" lead her to investigate the case, uncovering connections between David, Kelsey, and a summer camp they all attended years ago. As the investigation unfolds, secrets, lies, and past traumas resurface, putting the friends' reputations and possibly their lives at risk. #psychologicalthriller, #mystery, #suspense, #friendship, #secrets, #betrayal, #justice, #truth, #secondchances, #cancelculture, #TheNote, #AlafairBurke

(2025) The Power of Enough by Elizabeth HUSSERL

The Power of Enough: Finding Joy in Your Relationship with Money by Elizabeth Husserl, published in January 2025, is a self-help guide focusing on personal finance. It encourages readers to redefine their understanding of wealth and money. The book promotes the idea that true wealth is not just about accumulating material possessions but about finding meaning and joy in one’s life. It explores the concept of “embodied wealth”, a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual fulfillment. The book emphasizes: Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of satiation and abundance. Recognizing that needs are natural and learning how to satisfy them in synergistic ways. Engaging in conversations with money as a way to understand and transform one’s relationship with it. Understanding the influence of personal and ancestral money stories. Embracing unconditional acceptance to heal one’s financial DNA. The Power of Enough provides practical tools and exercises, such as the wealth mandala and the satiation journal, to help individuals develop a more fulfilling and meaningful relationship with money. #EmbodiedWealth, #FinancialWellbeing, #MoneyMindset, #Satiation, #PowerOfEnough, #MindfulMoney, #FinancialFreedom, #AbundanceMindset, #IntentionalLiving, #PersonalGrowth, #ThePowerOfEnough, #ElizabethHusserl

(2024) The Queen's Reaper by Cole HOPKINS

The Queen's Reaper by Cole Hopkins. a fantasy novel published in 2024. The story follows the assassin Grim, a man known for his skill with the sword and his ruthlessness. Grim is hired to kill Viscount Ovidius Depal who is expected to become the new steward of the Kingdom of Harth. However, Grim decides not to accept the contract because it would cause political turmoil. Grim soon discovers that the kingdom is under attack by monstrous creatures called Drul. The Drul are pale, giant humanoids with sharp teeth and claws. They are led by a mysterious armored figure known as The Beast of the Ein. The Drul have invaded from the east and are spreading a plague across the land. Grim joins forces with Eriana Courtright, commander of the Legion of the Wolf, and Octavia Benidary, the rightful queen of Harth, to stop the Drul and save the kingdom. #fantasy, #adventure, #magic, #curses, #assassins, #politicalintrigue, #kingdoms, #war, #betrayal, #survival, #TheQueensReaper, #ColeHopkins

(2025) The Songbird by Stacy LYNN

The Songbird, a World War II novel by Stacy Lynn Miller, was published in 2025.; The novel follows Hattie James, a singer in New York City, whose life is upended when her father, a diplomat, is accused of spying for Nazi Germany. Hattie's world is further turned upside down when she is questioned by the FBI and loses her recording contract. Determined to clear her father's name, Hattie travels to Rio de Janeiro, where her mother lives, and soon finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of espionage. As Hattie digs deeper, she uncovers shocking secrets about her family's past, including a hidden connection to a Nazi plantation owner named Heinz Baumann. With the help of her fiancé, David, and a club owner named Maya Reyes, Hattie must race against time to expose the truth and save her loved ones from a sinister plot. #WWII, #Espionage, #Singer, #Brazil, #FamilySecrets, #Mystery, #Nazis, #FBI, #Betrayal, #Romance, #TheSongbird, #StacyLynnMiller

(2025) Troll Lotta Love by DC Farmer

"Troll Lotta Love", written by DC Farmer, is a fantasy novel published in 2025. This book, the fifth in "The Hipposync Archives" series, follows the intertwined stories of several characters: Nadia Komangetme: A young woman from the isolated village of Spiv in the Fae world. She is a talented writer who hides her imaginative stories within the pages of a sacred historical text, fearing the strict rules of her community. Nadia's world is governed by fear of a powerful witch and dangerous creatures, and the villagers must participate in the "Gathering," a perilous task involving collecting bat guano from a haunted forest. Wimbush: An alchemist and herbologist from New Thameswick, the main city in the Fae world. Wimbush joins a mining expedition in search of a rare plant called silver wolfsbane. He is eccentric and often more concerned with his research than the people around him. Kylah Porter: A trainee witch and agent of the Department of Fimmigration (DOF), a secret organization that monitors and polices the activities of the Fae in the human world. Kylah is based in Oxford, England, and investigates unusual occurrences, including a sinkhole in Wales. Matt Danmor: Another DOF agent and Kylah's colleague. Matt is more experienced than Kylah and often acts as her mentor. When a sinkhole appears in Wales, Kylah and Matt discover a connection to the Fae world. Meanwhile, Wimbush encounters Nadia in the forest and helps her escape from Spiv after her forbidden writings are discovered. Their paths converge as they face dangerous creatures, corrupt individuals seeking to exploit magical substances, and the threat of an ancient evil that has been awakened. #fantasy, #fae world, #alchemy, #adventure, #humor, #romance, #mystery, #Steppeinit, #New Thameswick, #siblings, #TrollLottaLove, #DCFarmer

(2025) Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey DUGA

Royal Heirs Academy, by Lindsey Duga, is a young adult novel published in January 2025 . The story follows three royal grandchildren and one commoner as they compete to inherit the kingdom of Ashland while attending Almus Terra Academy. The book is told in alternating voices. The royal grandchildren were sent away 16 years ago to protect them from being murdered or manipulated, as there was no named heir at the time. Now, they have returned to Ashland to compete for the throne. #Royalty, #BoardingSchool, #Inheritance, #LoveHate, #Competition, #Secrets, #FamilyDrama, #TeenRomance, #SecondChances, #Politics, #RoyalHeirsAcademy, #LindseyDuga

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