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The Beeswax: From the Big Screen to the Skating Rink

Our Beeswax post is meant to offer recommendations to those readers who want a wholesome and worthwhile story while not keen on any of the spice some novels lean into. And so this month, we have two exceptional stories that embrace the best part of the romance genre and can appeal to all readers. The first will have you longing to be cuddled up on the couch under a fuzzy blanket with a bowl of popcorn. The second will get your heart racing, but not in the way you want to avoid, as it takes you to the skating rink to meet a quirky cast of characters on a hockey team. As a reminder, below is our Sticky Scale to help enlighten on how our spice ratings are broken down.


Wax

The first of the three ratings---and the one to which we dedicate this post---is Wax. Anyone who has previously handled wax knows it can be a slippery substance, but it becomes brittle when dried. Therefore, Wax books have no explicit sensuality. Physical romance

may be described in general terms or implied, but your innocence will remain intact.


Honey

Moving up a step, the second rating is Honey. As you can imagine, honey is significantly stickier than wax, but more importantly, it is sweeter. Honey's monthly section is The Sweet Spot because these books will be the perfect option for those looking for a more...

adventurous read while not devolving into spicy territory. In simpler terms, think fade to black. There is sure to be moderate sensuality, and physical actions will be described and detailed but will not be explicitly written. If you're unsure of whether you are ready for a

true spicy book, these recommendations are sure to help!


Nectar

At last, we have arrived at the last of the ratings: Nectar. These books are not for the faint of heart; I can guarantee you that. Nectar's monthly section has been deemed The Spice Rack (if you know, you know). These books will have your blood flowing, your palms

sweating, and your heartbeat racing. Whether you're into the sweet stuff, the taboos, or any of the laundry list of kinks out there, this section will surely have something for you! Be warned, our Nectar recommendations will have explicit sensuality and go beyond what is

appropriate for anyone under the age of 18. Sex will be written in graphic detail, and there is always a chance that acts beyond intercourse may make an appearance. So strap in, grab your favorite drink, and settle into your favorite spot as you venture into a world of

new experiences, or revisit your favorite smutty reads.


 
A Love Story for the Silver Screen

A Rom-Com for Rom-Com Lovers

Any romance reader worth their weight in novels has heard of the all-mightly rom-com. If you haven't, which we highly doubt, rom-com stands for romantic comedy. And true to the name, rom-coms are the best of both worlds—a perfect mix of two of the most popular literary genres. More than that, it is one of the most popular visual genres, with an entire catalog of movies and television series based on the genre. Rom-coms have a way of bringing about heartfelt stories that play to our human nature while keeping it light, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone. More than that, they have a way of connecting with readers and watchers and creating the most relatable situations that leave the consumer unable to keep themselves from connecting with the characters.



A signature feature of this genre is that of secondhand embarrassment. We can attest that no genre will have you tearing your eyes away from the page or screen more times than the rom-com. You will connect so deeply with the characters that you will physically and emotionally feel embarrassed when they put themselves in situations throughout the story. Like when they crash a wedding to declare their love for the bride or groom. Or when they dash through an airport only to declare their love in a crowded waiting lounge. This leads us to the grand gesture that is also key to the genre and what gives it that wholehearted feel all around.


A Love Like the Movies

The first of this month's Wax book recommendations jumps right out of the big screen: Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter.



In this rom-com about rom-coms, in the spirit of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, a hopeless romantic teen attempts to secure a happily-ever-after moment with her forever crush, but finds herself reluctantly drawn to the boy next door.


Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar - and maybe snag him as a prom date - even befriend Wes Bennet.


The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic-comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in.


But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love - and rethink her own ideas of what happily ever after should look like.

A rom-com with a flare for twists that will have you tripping over your yourself to figure out will end up with who, even if the answer is painfully obvious. The lead, Liz holds a life-long crush on Michael, who moved away while they were kids, and a dislike for next-door neighbor, Wes, who's favorite hobby seems to be to prank her. Of course the only solution to Liz's long-held crush when michael moves back to town is to team up with Wes to get Michael to notice her. And dare we ask that fateful question...yes, I think we shall. What could possibly go wrong? As annyone who is an avid indulger of rom-coms can tell you: a whole hell of a lot. But you know what along the way there's going to be laughs and tears, highs and lows, sweet moments and heartfelt reveals.


Lynn Painter is the international bestselling author of Better Than The Movies. She writes romantic comedies for both teens and adults, and when she isn't reading or writing, odds are good she’s guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms. You can learn more about Lynn and her works by visitin gher website lynnpainter.com.


 
Skating Towards Love

Let's Get Psychical

If there's a sport that's taking the romance world by storm unlike any other it's that of hockey. We cannot count the number of hockey romances that we have come across with in just the past year, nevermind the last few years during which the hockey romances have truly skyrocketed. And, honestly, can you blame us? I can think of very few things hotter than a hockey player, strapped up in their gear, crashign their bodies up againt each other, and gliding across the rink, except maybe a firefighter. See what I did there, becuse firefighters fight fire...which is hot, okay I'm sure you all get it. Back to hockey, though, and the way it has sired soem of the greatest and hottest romances to date. With everythign from sweet, simple romances to hot and steamy love affairs, the sport seemingly offers it all.



This month's wax pick though will keep us all on the PG side of sport, focusing on the life-changing experence that is college and the budding attraction between the new player and the team captain that h e can;t seem to stay away from. A note, however, that this month's second pick is a graphic novel, and whil emany may not find that an attractive read based on your personal preferences, we can assure you that this book is worth the read. If for nothing else than the heartwarming romance that is sure to melt the ice.


Grab your warmest coat because our second Wax Book recommendation is about to drop the temperature: Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngoni Ukazu.



The hilarious and heartbreaking confessions of a figure skater turned collegiate hockey player who's terrified of checking . . . and is desperately in love with the captain of his hockey team.


Eric Bittle is a former Georgia junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and amateur pâtissier. But as accomplished as he is, nothing could prepare him for his freshman year of playing hockey at the prestigious Samwell University in Samwell, Massachusetts. It's nothing like co-ed club hockey back in the South! For one? There’s checking. Second, there is Jack—his very attractive but moody captain.


A collection of the first half of the mega-popular webcomic series of the same name, Check, Please!: # Hockey is the first in a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life.

In this refreshing take on a boy just starting out on his university journey while navigating love, sports, and teammates, there is something sure to draw you in. Eric will face many challenges as he adapts to his new landscape, nagivates his growing attraction to Jack, the hockey team captain, and builds relationships with teammates that slowly become his new family. But hockey is not Eric's only hobby. Eric loves to bake and the novel is written as if we are watchign his blog and Eric is walkign us through his day-to-day life and experiences. It is a unique presentation of the story and one that ruly allows us to connect with Eric in a way that is honest and true to his character.


Ngozi Ukazu is a DC Comics artist, New York Times-bestselling graphic novelist, and the creator of comics like Check, Please!, BUNT!, and the forthcoming graphic novel FLIP. She graduated from Yale University, and since 2020 her cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker. TO learn more about Ngozi and her works, you can visit ngoziu.com.

 

IF YOU READ ANY OF OUR MONTHLY HONEYPOT BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THE QUEEN'S CORNER TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

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