A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen

A sweet and tender young adult (YA) contemporary romance set in Vietnam brimming with sapphic love, family, and street food.

A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa 

A lush, compelling cozy novel with an adorable cat and delicious treats set at a magical bakery.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner 

A whimsical, vibrant cozy fantasy with magical creatures, a gripping bake-off, and found family.

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle 

An addictive and lush story of hunger, food, love, ghosts, desire, and loss set in the New York City culinary scene, perfect for fans of Hadestown.

Bread is Love written by Pooja Makhijani; illustrated by Lavanya Naidu 

A beautiful, sweet, and heartwarming children’s book of bread, family, and joy.

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

A captivating, immersive YA fantasy with a cutthroat cooking competition, Chinese and Southeast Asian folklore, and vivid food descriptions that explores food’s connection to culture and the ones we love.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee 

A cute, uplifting YA romcom with a mooncake-making competition, fake-dating romance, and the sweetest corgi.

Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous by Autumn K. England 

A comforting, sweeping cozy fantasy filled with farmers market trips, magical baked goods, a ghost granny, and a tender romance.

Gwei the Hungry Ghost written by Emeline Lee; illustrated by Basia Tran

A stunning, lush, and vivid children’s book with Chinese folklore, food, friendship, and community set during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen 

A tender and tasty YA romcom inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, brimming with banter, Asian food, family, love, and trips to the Pasadena Farmers Market.

Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin

A riveting and sharp cozy whodunit set in London with cinematic cooking scenes and a propulsive murder mystery.

Legendary Frybread Drive-In edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith 

A beautiful, welcoming collection of interconnected stories with Native pride, frybread, laughter, belonging, and love.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree 

A charming, calming cozy fantasy set in a coffee shop with sapphic love, pastries, fantastical creatures, and, of course, coffee.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

A sharp, witty, and empowering historical fiction novel filled with wit, chemistry, and cooking set in the 1960s.

Like Wafers in Honey by Leah Eskin

A sweeping, atmospheric, and witty debut following two timelines filled with vivid historical details, recipes, and family.

Nacho Boyfriend by Gigi Blume 

A funny and swoony romcom with tender family dynamics, delicious Mexican food, and a delightful fake-dating romance.

Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho 

A swoon-worthy and sweet YA romance set in Brazil that blends the family feud and enemies-to-lovers romance of Romeo & Juliet with delicious baking scenes.

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst 

A sea-swept, lyrical, and adventurous cozy fantasy brimming with sentient plants, peach pie, yearning, and the perfect dose of danger.

Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate by Marisa Churchill 

A spellbinding and scrumptious YA debut with immersive baking scenes, exhilarating culinary challenges, and heartwarming friendship, perfect for readers transitioning from middle-grade to YA reads.

The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz 

An adorable, charming, and immersive children’s book with baked goods and the cutest tiny dragon.

The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic and Murder by Kiri Callaghan 

An enchanting and gripping cozy fantasy with a thrilling murder mystery, sapphic love, tea, mythology, and sweet treats.

The Leaving Room by Amber McBride

A sweeping, emotional YA novel-in-verse with an achingly beautiful sapphic romance, family recipes, and a twisty plot.

The Lone Wolf Café by Sydney Wilder

A welcoming and magical cozy fantasy with baking, tea, witches, and werewolves, perfect for autumnal reading and Halloween.

The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda 

A cinematic, lyrical historical novel set in sixteenth-century Mexico with adventure, sisterhood, and pre-Hispanic food.

The Road of Bones by Demi Winters 

An adventurous, fierce fantasy infused with Norse mythology, action, food, and a pinch of spice.

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu 

A creative and propulsive sci-fi novel filled with physics, dim sum, and family.

From charming children’s books to heartfelt YA romcoms to gripping adult murder mysteries, there’s a little something for every foodie here. These books serve up delicious food descriptions alongside their captivating characters, cinematic settings, and propulsive plots. Happy reading!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Tales You Can Taste: 26 Fiction Book Recommendations for Foodies appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re looking to escape the ordinary without leaving home, here are some staycation-ready books that offer all the summer vibes, wanderlust, and escapism you need.

If you’re looking for a cozy escape:

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This wholesome, found family story is perfect for cozy vibes.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

This fun, cute fantasy about an orc opening a coffee shop is perfect for escaping the real world while still staying comfy in your own home.

If you want books that feel like vacation:

Beach Read by Emily Henry

This is a smart contemporary romance perfect for readers looking for summer, beachy feels.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

This memoir set in the Italian countryside is perfect for readers who want to travel vicariously through the adventures of others.

If you like coming-of-age in the summer books:

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

This time travel story features father-daughter relationships, New York City summers, and encourages the reader to consider their own place in the world.

Beautiful World, Where are You by Sally Rooney

This emotional read explores the relationships and friendships of four young Irish people as they search for meaning in a bleak world.

If you like something with a little heat:

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This sibling-focused family saga takes place in 1980s Malibu and dives into the drama that unfolds at their annual end-of-summer party.

Every Summer by Carley Fortune

This second-chance romance is full of nostalgia, with alternating timelines that remind the reader of teenage summers and the heartbreak that often follows them.

Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, swoon, or simply escape for a few hours, there’s a story on this list that can take you there.

So pour yourself a cold drink, find the shadiest tree in the yard, and get lost in a book that brings summer right to you.

Do you have ant other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Staycation Reads: The Best Books to Take You Away Without Ever Leaving the House appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

One way I slack off when I should be writing is to brainstorm new Dungeons & Dragons characters. I play too—but my favorite part is building characters. Maybe that’s why Lark, the main character in Text Appeal, uses her Dungeon Master skills as inspiration for those risqué texts she’s sending…

Whether you’re an RPG fan who has already sunk hours to the Baldur’s Gate III release, an old-school tabletop gamer like me, or just want some steamy romance recommendations—thank you very much—I’ve paired each of 5e’s 12 D&D classes with two romance recommendations based on tropes and character qualities that fit the vibe.

Barbarian

While Barbarians are mostly known for combat, I submit that a sharp tongue is as useful as a sharp sword. Therefore, I’m focusing on the class’s courage and connections, rather than brute force and tempers.

• Okay, I’m not going to be quite so literal with the rest of these recommendations, but the obvious choice here is Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. Viv, an orc barbarian tired of the bounty hunting lifestyle, swaps her sword for an espresso machine. The story features a slow burn romance that, quite like classic drip coffee, is perfectly satisfying.
• Barbarians often form strong relationships with members of their adventuring parties, like Dylan and Jack—the couple in Wanderlust by Elle Everhart. They grow close despite their differences while traveling the world. Both characters are ambitious and driven, too… important Barbarian qualities!

Bard

I firmly believe that the Bard—a performer, musician, or storyteller—is a seriously underrated class, which is why I’m giddy that Vox Machina gave us the spectacular Scanlan, and that Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves rewarded us Bard-enthusiasts with Chris Pine as Edgin. To fill your need for Bard books, check these out.

• Hollis Hollenbeck, the broody, grumpy love interest in Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler, would smugly accept the label of Bard—but he’ll have to fight Millie for the title, since her road trip playlist is nothing short of magic.
• In the Case of Heartbreak by Courtney Kae features cinnamon roll Ben and the swooniest musician love interest, Adam, who woos with way more Bard energy than any one person should possess.

Cleric

A cleric serves a deity and is sworn to protect—sometimes by choice, sometimes against their wishes. Yep, we’re going with political intrigue here.

• I’ve been watching the Red, White & Royal Blue trailer on repeat since it dropped and can’t wait to smash the play button when the movie releases. Not including Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston in this round-up would be unforgivable. Tradition-bound Prince Henry and the First Son of the United States, Alex, navigating love amid public scrutiny? Sounds like a couple of Clerics to me!
• When Rachel catches her mayor husband having an affair in The Art of Scandal by Regina Black, the couple settles on an arrangement: to keep his political dreams alive, Rachel plays the role of the perfect mayor’s wife in exchange for a lavish lifestyle—until she finds unexpected love that’s worth risking it all.

Druid

With magic that revolves around a connection to flora and fauna, pairing books with the Druid class is easy-peasy—especially when you add shapeshifting to the mix.

• The forthcoming The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson features two wolf shifters, Noah and Mackenzie, who agree to fake date, but catch feelings along the way. Yeah, this book was 100 percent written for Druids.
• Jen Devon’s Bend Toward the Sun lands within the Druid category for another reason: emotions. Healing and connection during a year at a vineyard might be enough to restore balance in Rowan and Harry’s turbulent lives.

Fighter

A Fighter needs to be able to deal damage, but also take it. If you love the tension of winner-takes-all books that pit love interests against each other, then this is where to look.

• Just My Type by Falon Ballard features Lana and Seth, two journalists set against each other to compete in a series of challenges to win a dream job. The catch? They’re high school exes with a whole lot of leftover tension.
• Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander has all the opposites attract and enemies-to-lovers goodness that makes for great romance—and Simone and Ray also battle workplace discrimination alongside supportive friends and colleagues.

Monk

Some Monks choose a secluded lifestyle to focus on the study of powerful energy, which sounds quite a bit like disappearing into a small town or somewhere off-the-beaten-path to find oneself.

• Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle features Maybell, who inherits a house in the Smokies, and Wesley, the groundskeeper who co-inherited the secluded space. Elbow grease and introspection serve them the sweetest Happily Ever After.
• You can’t get more isolated than being stranded on a deserted island, like in Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade. Unexpected co-stars filming together for six(!!) years on a desolate island after a one-night stand makes for some spectacular pining.

Paladin

Adventurous, loyal, and on a quest: Paladins have the power to heal and are driven to protect. This class stands for good and right and justice, but that doesn’t come without some internal struggle.

• In Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly, Alexei and Ben meet while hiking the many-thousands-of-miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, and end up journeying—and growing, and learning, and healing—together. This book is simply all the good things so it’s only natural it lands in the Paladin category.
• Ruby Spencer, of Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow, is on a year-long adventure in Scotland to fulfill a personal quest: writing a cookbook, drinking whisky, and figuring out life. Falling for Brochan wasn’t part of the plan, but what kind of adventure doesn’t include side quests?

Ranger

Adventure and travel, that’s the life of the fiercely protective, independent Ranger. But there’s another layer to this class, too: A little vengeance may be unavoidable as Rangers answer the call.

• Energetic Cassidy and uptight Luke are on separate missions with similar selfless goals in Planes Trains, and All the Feels by Livy Hart. In true Ranger fashion, their travel plans go awry, so they travel together—and discover fantastic procrastination techniques to delay them further.
• Can we just pause a moment to admire Sarah MacLean’s strong, independent women characters? The Hell’s Belles series has it all: Vigilante shit, danger, and tough women hunting down real-life monsters (aka the patriarchy).

Rogue

The class that welcomes assassins, grifters, and thieves: Rogue is the class I’m most likely to play. There’s no question about the best romance tropes here: Hello, heist books!

• Victorian fantasy romance is exactly the thing I never knew I needed in my life, until I found The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton. Pirates? Check. Magic flying houses? Check. Cloak-and-dagger lady thieves? Multiple checks.
• For more heist shenanigans, pick up To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai. The vibes here are spot-on: Simi and her topsy-turvy team must pull off a jewelry heist during a flashy wedding—but because it’s a romantic comedy, odds are her heart’s about to be stolen, too.

Sorcerer

Whether you play as a staunch, by-the-rules Sorcerer who honed their inherited magic through years of careful study, or you prefer messing around with raw, uncontrolled power to see what sticks, this class is all about paranormal romance books.

• For those chaos gremlins who aren’t afraid of haphazard magic, try Every Wish Way by Shannon Bright. When Iza summons a personal wish-granter and asks him to provide a modern-day Mr. Darcy, she quickly learns that wishes and magic are more complicated than they seem.
• Get your magical books fix with the Witches of Thistle Grove series by Lana Harper: Magic gone haywire, casting spells you shouldn’t be fiddling with, and strangers messing around with dangerous sorcery? The fourth in the series, In Charm’s Way, hits shelves in August 2023.

Warlock

Warlocks thirst for knowledge, but often must bargain to find what they seek. Obviously, with a bargain involved, I’m taking this one the fake dating route first.

• In Fly with Me by Andie Burke, ER nurse Olive goes viral after saving someone’s life on a plane. Willing to do anything for a much-deserved promotion, Stella, the pilot from the flight, suggests a mutually beneficial fake relationship that turns steamier than originally planned.
• In the “knowledge” category, we have eager Finn from Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon, who is a perfect match for the knowledge-seeking Warlock. I was equally gone for brilliant Chandler as I was for delightfully nerdy Finn while the School of Sexual Satisfaction was in session.

Wizard

While they’re magic-wielders, Wizards also have a scholarly streak. After all, where would they be without the mentors and apprenticeships that helped hone their skills? Wizards will appreciate adventurous romance books that feature discovery, ancient ruins, and maybe a little glimpse into the future.

• Corrie (“Dr. Meija” please, she’s worked hard for that title!) treks into the Mexican jungle on an archaeological expedition in Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura. Her quest for knowledge is threatened first by her nemesis, Dr. Ford Matthews, butting in on her mission, then by smugglers, crime, danger—and love?
• Rule-bending players who get their kicks messing with space/time via creative spellwork, check out Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip. Clementine “Lemon” West is protecting her heart while recovering from the loss of her beloved aunt, but a magical pinch in time brings hot chef Iwan into her life. The catch is that their timelines are mismatched…by seven years.

This Very Scientific List features two book recommendations for each Dungeons & Dragons class, but where do you start? My advice: Read them all. I have a few ideas of where my debut romcom, Text Appeal, fits in this list of classes, but I’m curious to see where everyone else thinks it lands

The post Top Romance Recommendations Based on Your D&D Class appeared first on The Nerd Daily.