Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Got an arc through the publisher, 4.5/5
This was super cute! My friends all know you give me a funky little bespectacled nerd in glasses and it’s like catnip to me so I freely admit that was the principle draw, but this was a lot of fun! I tend to be picky about romance novels but I really enjoyed this
This was super cute! My friends all know you give me a funky little bespectacled nerd in glasses and it’s like catnip to me so I freely admit that was the principle draw, but this was a lot of fun! I tend to be picky about romance novels but I really enjoyed this
The set up seems great and the couple seems like a great match. I loved all the characters but everytime Harmony is working her grift, being in her head and seeing the mechanics of her manipulations (even against people who deserve it) is too much for me. I would definitely watch the movie if there ever is one, but reading this isn’t working for me.
I was excited for this book because of the important topics (fck book banners) and representation but it flopped.
The love interest is in a hurry, clearly frustrated and the heroine is chasing him outside of his workplace to force a meet cute moment, I guess. She's stunned he didn't drop everything to ogle her chest and thinks he must be gay or Ace.
The love interest is in a hurry, clearly frustrated and the heroine is chasing him outside of his workplace to force a meet cute moment, I guess. She's stunned he didn't drop everything to ogle her chest and thinks he must be gay or Ace.
Harmony “Hale” saunters into town for her next con. An expert conwoman, she targets rich and powerful people to take them (and their egos) down. Her current con is personal, and Harmony knows exactly what ploy to pull off- a fake festival.
But as she starts to fall for the local librarian, she has to chose whether to come clean, or end up hurting the community she’s starting to call home.
Preston is an anxious, Autistic, librarian, who takes care of his younger sister Lacey. When he’s not worrying about his sister, he’s anxious about the mayor’s wife trying to ban books, stop LGBTQ clubs, and get him fired. But then a gorgeous woman needs his help, and his land, to build a festival. Not wanting more on his plate, Preston tries to say no, but Harmony is persistent, clever, beautiful, and makes him want more.
This book was lots of fun. Harmony and Preston’s banter was addicting, the plot moved quickly, the spicy parts were spot on (yes they do it in the library), and the ending was tied up in a nice little bow.
Schwartz’s characters always shine, and this book is no exception. I loved the Autism rep in both Preston and Lacey, the book banning subplot, Harmony’s confidence, and the way Preston adored her and her body. The side characters also were all nice additions, with some side characters giving the reader queer rep (Sapphic).
My only qualm was the anxiety of Harmony’s con and the pacing of the overarching story. I feel like she should have confessed just a bit earlier, or that there should have been a bit more space in the timeline at the end. It almost felt like it all came crashing down in the last couple of chapters, and even though it crashed nicely, I would have enjoyed a more gentle slowing.
Regardless, I highly enjoyed my time with Preston and Harmony, and highly recommend the book!
But as she starts to fall for the local librarian, she has to chose whether to come clean, or end up hurting the community she’s starting to call home.
Preston is an anxious, Autistic, librarian, who takes care of his younger sister Lacey. When he’s not worrying about his sister, he’s anxious about the mayor’s wife trying to ban books, stop LGBTQ clubs, and get him fired. But then a gorgeous woman needs his help, and his land, to build a festival. Not wanting more on his plate, Preston tries to say no, but Harmony is persistent, clever, beautiful, and makes him want more.
This book was lots of fun. Harmony and Preston’s banter was addicting, the plot moved quickly, the spicy parts were spot on (yes they do it in the library), and the ending was tied up in a nice little bow.
Schwartz’s characters always shine, and this book is no exception. I loved the Autism rep in both Preston and Lacey, the book banning subplot, Harmony’s confidence, and the way Preston adored her and her body. The side characters also were all nice additions, with some side characters giving the reader queer rep (Sapphic).
My only qualm was the anxiety of Harmony’s con and the pacing of the overarching story. I feel like she should have confessed just a bit earlier, or that there should have been a bit more space in the timeline at the end. It almost felt like it all came crashing down in the last couple of chapters, and even though it crashed nicely, I would have enjoyed a more gentle slowing.
Regardless, I highly enjoyed my time with Preston and Harmony, and highly recommend the book!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love musical adaptations. I love neurodivergent rep. However I find it hard to root for a heroine who is actively trying to con the aforementioned neurodivergent characters. Feels like punching down.
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is the highest rating I've given a book in years I think, so I'm glad this was my first read of 2025.
I was hesitant going into this book because I always thought I didn't like romances (but I guess I was wrong) but I got it for Christmas.
I loved this. I like Harmony but as an Autistic LGBTQIA+ teenager who loves reading and politics I enjoyed every single second of Preston's POV.
I was sold on this book at "Fucking gerrymandering."
I was hesitant going into this book because I always thought I didn't like romances (but I guess I was wrong) but I got it for Christmas.
I loved this. I like Harmony but as an Autistic LGBTQIA+ teenager who loves reading and politics I enjoyed every single second of Preston's POV.
I was sold on this book at "Fucking gerrymandering."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Alcohol
If I've forgotten anything I'm sorry, but trigger warning context in case they're wanted
(SPOILERS)
- Multiple sex scenes (on-page)
- Talk of Fatphobia
- Talk of Autism, on-page Autistic meltdown, talk of ABA therapy
- Homophobia (two side characters are dating, homophobia parents)
- Transphobia/Hate crime (somebody tries to attack a Drag Queen, background characters)
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes