CBR15 Passport Challenge: New to you Authors – Jen Comfort, Kate Clayborn, and Melissa Capriglione
Midnight Duet by Jen Comfort is a gender-flipped remix of Phantom of the Opera. Erika Greene seemingly had it all when taking on a lead Broadway role. She was a bit of a minx and slept with someone’s boyfriend, which led to a production light falling on her. She retreats to her family’s dilapidated opera house in Paris, Nevada, and vows to become a better person. She had a decent plastic surgeon but hides her facial scars with her hair. The money has dried up and the building is nowhere up to code. In desperation, Erika agrees to host a German hair metal band while they record their album. Sizzling hot lead singer Christof is determined to make it big with this new album. The trouble is his girlfriend/keyboardist has disappeared in an existential crisis. Enter Erika who immediately ignites a fiery passion he didn’t realize he was missing. She sneaks into the balcony to watch Christof practice. She is eventually discovered and ends up offering to give Christof voice lessons. They have an undeniable attraction that makes it a delicious read from start to finish.
It was everything I hoped it would be and more! And one of my favorite romance reads of 2023. I got my signed copy when hosting Jen’s LA launch at The Ripped Bodice. I saved the novel like a fine wine, but once I started reading I devoured it. Confession, I’ve never seen the Phantom play and fell asleep during the movie. I’m just not a big musical theater fan, so was slightly worried I wouldn’t get the references. The chemistry between our leads is so palpable that melted away immediately. As an avid concertgoer, a rockstar romance is always on the menu. Erika was an enigma and Christof’s new muse. The book had a lot of heart and soul searching. Christof wants fame while Erika has run away from hers. They’re scared to open up and derail the other’s career. The banter between the band is also hilarious. Read this if you love complicated female MCs, musical theater, and hair metal references.
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn was my first foray into her romances, but won’t be my last. The titular Georgie has returned to her small town and moved back in with her parents. She had been a personal assistant, but when her boss decides to leave Hollywood, she’s left with nothing to do. Working in a fast-paced job that she fell into meant she rarely stopped to think about real-life goals. When she comes across an old diary aka friend-fic with her teenage self’s dreams, she decides to realize some of them to find some clarity. Much to her surprise, she finds Levi at her parents’ home when she returns while his house is being worked upon. The pair become reluctant roommates and eventually team up to explore the friend-fic’s to-do list. Levi was known as the town troublemaker. These days he keeps to himself, preferring his dog over most people. Georgie is so full of life, which rubs him the wrong way at first. As a small-town coincidence, Levi’s brother crosses paths with Georgie and offers her a waitress job. She is conflicted about growing closer to Levi and working with his estranged brother. It was so realistic to read about her confusion. Sometimes you have to slow down to figure things out. Levi was adorably sweet under his gruff exterior. His dedication to his dog coupled with his wariness to bare his heart made me swoon. Read this if you love dogs and character soul searching as important as the romance.
I discovered Basil and Oregano on Hoopla as a suggested YA romance. It was an unexpected delight since I’m a big foodie. Basil is a senior at a magic culinary academy where her two dads met. They work hard to afford the tuition. If Basil is the top student chef for two quarters, the academy will cover everything. The pressure to win is intense and not a guarantee when her rival wins one of the cooking tests. She is also crushing hard on a new student, Oregano, whose mom is a famous witch. Feelings begin to blossom when the two are paired up in the final cooking competition. They share a magic familiar (an adorable dog) and practice dishes together (Italian ones of course). Things get complicated when Oregano reveals a secret. Basil’s rival hears and threatens to disqualify them.
The illustrations are so cute. I really enjoy food-related graphic novels. The ingredient details were my favorite parts. The romance is super sweet but relatable. A real teen crush comes to life on the page. And the LGBTQIA rep through the book made me smile. It feels organic and not tacked on to make a statement. I also related to Basil’s magic burnout from studying too much. I was way too intense about grades in high school. Read this if you’re a fan of cooking shows and earnest teen romances.