BitLock: Never Lose Your Bike Keys Again

Calling all bikers! There’s a new bike gadget on the market and you HAVE to check it out. It’s called BitLock and it might change your life. How? BitLock is the world’s first keyless bike lock. That’s right… as in, you’ll never lose your keys again. Ah-mazing.

How does it work? BitLock syncs to your iPhone or Android, turning your smartphone into your bike key. When you walk up to your bike, BitLock verifies your identity via your smartphone. You can then lock and unlock your bike with the push of a button, as long as you’re within a three foot radius. Pretty seamless. BitLock also keeps track of your bike for you by recording its GPS location. Worried about your battery dying? No need. If your phone dies, you can use a unique binary code to access your ride.

Peer-to-peer bike sharing is one of the coolest applications of BitLock. You can give select friends or family access to your bike through the app. It shares the bike’s location with them, and you can set restrictions for where and when they can ride it. You’ll be running your own bike share program before you know it. Oh, and the app has an activity tracker built in so you can easily check stats like distance, calories burned, and more.

BitLock is waterproof, the battery lasts for five years, and it’s available in six colors. Currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, the first batch of BitLocks is expected to ship out in July 2014. You can snag one for $99 on the campaign page.

I’ve been living in blissful ice cream heaven for the past month. And though I could easily scamper on over to my neighborhood gelato spot or stock up on summer’s best frozen treats, I’ve been lazily crafting my own inside – courtesy of the Ninja Creami.

If you’ve been literally anywhere on the internet recently, you know that the Creami Craze has truly taken over. Everyone from food-fluencers to gym girlies have been basking in its glory – sharing recipes left and right for ice creams, sorbets, and even frozen cocktails. I admittedly thought the appliance was way too good to be true, and resumed my scrolling in favor of FoodTok and ‘fit checks for a while.

I didn’t realize the sheer magic this thing was capable of until I was thoughtfully gifted one to simply try out. Turns out, the influencers *aren’t* lying about its greatness. From my experience, here’s 5 surefire reasons why you need the Ninja Creami in your kitchen.

Reason 1: It's faster than fast.

The Creami gave me that instant gratification I crave from all cooking projects, no matter what I was making. The paddle tears through frozen-solid liquids in a matter of seconds, resulting in a dangerously thick, velvety ice cream consistency. I’m still in awe (and honestly, a tad confused) about how this thing works – because a blender could definitely *not* do what the Creami does. Perhaps it’s the mystery that keeps me going back.

Reason 2: It's hilariously easy to use.

Because all you have to do to form a fantastically frozen treat is freeze it first and press a few buttons. No, really, a literal monkey could operate the Ninja Creami. There were several times since I got the Creami that my ice cream hankering got so strong, I felt a borderline *astral* draw towards my nearest Sonic – but thankfully didn’t need to lift a finger. I remembered the dismally forgotten Creami bowl in the back of my freezer. From there, all it took was a few minutes to achieve better-than-Sonic-level ice cream. Boom.

Reason 3: It saved me a significant amount on my ice cream bill.

This means the demented dessert demon that arises within me every night once Sweet Treat O’ Clock hits was suppressed from spending money anywhere ice cream is sold. I was able to use ingredients I already had at home to batch out my Creami creations – averaging around 3 servings per bowl. A bang for your buck *and* delicious as can be? You simply cannot deny the deal.

Related: Best Ice Cream Maker

Here are the recipes I’ve made so far, with prices for each ingredient included. I’ve also noted the cost per serving, accounting for the average of 3 servings a bowl. A *steal* rather than a deal, methinks!

  • Chocolate Ice Cream: 2 cups Chocolate Fairlife ($4.19 for a bottle, so 2 cups costs ~$1.29) + 2 tbsp Chocolate Jell-o Mix ($1.39 for a pack, so 2 tbsp costs ~$0.70) = $0.66 per serving
  • Mint Cookie Chocolate Ice Cream: Chocolate Fairlife ($4.19 for a bottle, so 2 cups costs ~$1.29) + 4 Mint Oreo Thins ($4.59 a box, so 4 cookies costs ~$0.35) = $0.55 per serving
  • Lite Horchata Ice Cream: 2 cups Dream Horchata ($4.17 for a carton, so 2 cups costs ~$2.08) = $0.69 per serving
  • Lite Horchata Ice Cream with Cookie Dough: 2 cups Dream Horchata ($4.17 for a carton, so 2 cups costs ~$2.08) + 2 pieces Sweet Loren’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough ($6.59 for a dozen, so 2 pieces costs ~$1.08) = $1.05 per serving
  • Dole Whip Dupe:Frozen Pineapple Chunks (I used half a bag, so ~ $1.40) + 1 cup Almond Breeze ($2.39 for a quart, so 1 cup costs ~$0.60) = $0.67 per serving

Reason 4: Healthy dessert has *never* been easier.

Social media has given us an endless stream of easy, high-protein, low-calorie Ninja Creami recipes to try out, so there’s no excuse to *not* make yummy desserts that are actually good for your health. If you’re paradoxical in nature like me (love to eat healthy, but have a serious sweet tooth), it’s time to hop on the Creami bandwagon. The first and foremost reason being this Cosmic Brownie Protein Ice Cream that has 42 grams of protein for only 297 calories. Mind = blown.

Reason 5: It's so customizable.

Image generated via StableDiffusion

Whether your cravings fluctuate from chocolatey to fruity, there’s a Creami recipe out there for you. I found each batch to lend itself to customization with the easy-peasy Mix-In button on the appliance. I added Oreos and cookie dough to my creations, but have plans to experiment with my go-to candies, M&M’s and Reese’s.

What are your most favorite Ninja Creami recipes? Let us know @BritandCo!

Header image via Ninja

If your hair has been feeling more like straw than silk lately, it’s time to give it some TLC with a good deep conditioner. Deep conditioners work wonders at healing dry and damaged hair– the best ones are often formulated with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, and keratin. Whether you’re battling winter dryness, heat damage, or just need a little extra moisture, these 8 deep conditioners will leave your locks soft, shiny, and oh-so manageable, no matter your hair type!

Scroll on to see the top-rated deep conditioners that'll instantly revive dry, damaged hair.

Amazon

Artnatural Argan Oil + Aloe Vera Deep Conditioner

This deep conditioner with a 4.7-star rating includes nourishing argan oil and aloe vera. It even comes with a silk bonnet to wear while the product works its magic overnight. The extra layer helps prevent frizz, split ends, and further hair damage. The best part is it's only $13 (was $18)!

Promising review: "Makes your hair soft, shiny and smells amazing! It’s moisturizing, does not weigh my hair down. Definitely improves my hair health, I have highlighted blond hair so I use the mask every two to 3 days to keep up the healthy hair look! You don’t need to use a lot - normal amount from mid strand to ends."

Amazon

Palmer's Coconut Oil Moisture Boost Deep Conditioner

The coconut oil in this 4.6-star deep conditioner's formula will totally transform dry locks. Its especially hydrating for curly hair of any curl type! The ingredients are fully plant-based, so you can trust they'll always be healthy for your hair.

Promising review: "I know that some ladies are very uptight about ingredients, etc for their hair. I can honestly say that this works so much better than any other deep conditioner that I have either made or bought. I don't get too caught up in the "expensive is better" or "cheap products are junk" debate. I use what works for my hair and this definitely does an excellent job of moisturizing my hair and making it shiny. It only leave it on for the length of my shower and wow!"

Amazon

Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Amazon shoppers have granted this heavenly-smelling deep conditioner 4.6 out of 5 stars for how effective it is. The $16 product works wonders at preventing hair thinning, shedding, and breakage. The mango butter acts as a nice emollient to lock in all the moisture.

Promising review: "It’s difficult to find a deep conditioner that actually brings moisture to my hair and revives it. I kinda followed the instructions on the label but I left it on longer than stated. It’s thick and I feel like that’s what my hair needed. I rinsed my hair, dried it with a towel mannn I didn’t have to do much untangling!! It left my hair soft and easy to comb through. I’m now looking to purchase some of the other products."

Amazon

SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque

SheaMoisture is one of my favorite hair care brands because every one of their products I've tried actually do what they say they do. This 4.6-star hair mask is no exception – it truly does provide "intensive" hair repair and hydration. The formula with manuka honey and mafura oil is friendly on over-processed, damaged, or color-treated hair and helps you build stronger, healthier, and frizz-free strands.

Promising review: "i have naturally wavy/curly hair but i damaged it so bad with bleach that they kind of went away. i did a lot of hair masks, gave it a lot of time to breathe, etc etc etc and this is the only thing to come close to restoring my natural curl pattern. it smells amazing, helps with frizziness, and definitely helps my hair feel healthier, moisturized, and as shiny as it can be. i also notice that it's better than a lot of other products when it comes to maintaining hair color. my dyed hair doesn't bleed or become discolored with this product. love the ingredients too!! phenomenal brand and product overall."

Amazon

Unove Deep Damage Hair Treatment Mask

This 4.6-star pick comes complete with highly-concentrated proteins that seep deep into your locks for noticeable shine and hydration. What sets it apart the most is it's fast-acting, so you don't necessarily need to let it sit on your head for a long time – just a quick application in the shower will do! It also smells ahh-mazing with notes of citrus and flowers.

Promising review: "This is my favorite treatment I’ve ever used. My hair is thick and dry, but this product makes it feel soft and manageable. It seems to reduce damage as well; every time I go to the salon, my stylist comments on how strong and healthy my hair looks. The scent is just right—not too strong, which I appreciate."

Amazon

Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner

Mielle makes my absolute favorite conditioner (read about it here!), so this 4.5-star deep conditioner is definitely next-up on my self-care "buy" list. The blend of natural oils and fatty acids help reduce breakage and smooth ends, frizz, and flyaways – all without weighing down your hair. It's safe for all hair types, too, so you could easily share the love with your roomie or S.O.

Promising review: "This is my favorite deep conditioner. I sometimes use this as a cowash instead of after shampooing. Smells great and leaves my hair feeling soft and looks shiny. I have natural curly hair with blonde highlights. I wish there was a bigger tub. I go through this fast."

Amazon

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask + Deep Conditioner

This $13 deep conditioner leaves your locks with such a luxurious feel, thanks to the strengthening and hydrating argan oil. The shine it gives is also impeccable! Shoppers have given it 4.5 out of 5 stars for its rich texture, effectiveness, and its ability to deliver "salon-quality" results.

Promising review: "My hair is three feet long. I use this generously around every couple weeks after I shampoo. I get as much water out of my hair, I slather on about half the tub (again, my hair is very long). I leave it in while I shave and soap up and rinse. Then I rinse it out. One side bonus is that it makes the skin on my body so soft. The smell is beautiful and I get comments about the nice smell. The end result is that my hair flows from the top to bottom. The areas that tend to look a little dry (bottom) look just as shiny and moisturized as the rest of my hair. I will use this the rest of my life and recommend it to everyone."

Amazon

OUAI Thick Hair Mask

If you want your locks to look and feel expensive, this 4.5-star OUAI hair mask is the way to go. Just one use will leave your hair feeling smoother, softer, and stronger. The formula includes ilipe and shea butters to condition, almond, olive, and macadamia oils to soften and smooth, and hydrolyzed keratin to prevent breakage.

Promising review: "I have oily scalp and dry ends. My end are so dry that they soak up water and takes hours to air dry. I used this today for the first time and my hair air dried 50% faster than normal. My hair feels soft, but not oily. This is my new favorite hair product!"

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing beauty products!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Unlike Ariel, true techies can never have enough gadgets and gizmos, whozits and whatzits galore. It's like an itch we just have to scratch. Technology continues to surprise us with new and innovative devices that help us live our best life — or just have fun. Looking to turn your home into a smart home? Trying to find the perfect gadget the entire family can benefit from? Need something cool to surprise your kids with that will keep them busy for hours? Well, stop looking! There's sure to be something right here for everyone on your list (including yourself). Check out these techie-loved products to charge up your gift-giving this holiday season.

Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant ($80): Go beyond the traditional alarm clock with this Google assisted smart clock. Control the lights in your home, see the weather, check your calendar and get traffic updates before you leave your bed.

LifeFuels ($179): Get the nutrients you need when you need them with this smart water bottle. Inside the bottle are three pods that dispense vitamins and nutrients throughout the day with the touch of a button or swipe in the app.

Nintendo Switch ($300): Gaming is for all ages and the Nintendo Switch is a great system for hours of family fun.

VTech KidiBuzz G2 ($90): Your little doesn't have to play on your phone anymore, they can play 40+ learning games, listen to music and take photos on this interactive kid-friendly device.

Stash Portable Battery Bank ($30): Don't let the activities of the day drain you. Stay charged with this stylish portable battery bank.

Cinemood ($400): Experience movie magic wherever you go with Cinemood, a portable smart mini-projector. Tiny but mighty, this projector is kid-friendly and an investment in nights of family fun. It's also on Mariah Carey's must-have list so obviously, we must-have, too.

Echo Dot Kids Edition ($70): Designed with kids in mind, children can ask Alexa to call Grandma, tell them a story, play music and other kid-friendly actions.

Lockly Secure Pro ($299-$329): Upgrade your home security with this smart lock. Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa, this lock can be operated by voice, mobile app, access code, fingerprint, or traditional key.

PlayShifu Orboot ($50): Make screen time educational with one of Shifu's interactive toys that mix education and entertainment together like this one that teaches children about different countries and cultures around the world.

Acu Palm ($85): After typing, texting and holding things all day, your hands could use a little TLC. Acu Palm offers a heated compression massage that ranges from your fingers to your wrist to help your hands recover after working them to the bone.

House of Marley Exodus Anc ($250): These eco-friendly noise cancelling headphones carry a 28-hour battery life with active noise cancellation and 80 hours without. You'll be able to enjoy hours of music and entertainment without having to charge.

Luigi's Mansion 3 ($60): Kids will have fun zapping ghosts and beef up their problem-solving skills in the process.

Singing Machine Official Carpool Karaoke ($60): Turn road trips into concert tours with carpool karaoke.

Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer W/ Zink Zero Ink Technology & Built-In Bluetooth ($140): One of the biggest problems with some instant cameras is that the picture never comes out exactly the way you planned. With Polaroid's pocket printer, you can get instant prints of your fave photos from your cell phone; problem solved.

Scuf Vantage 2 ($170): Create your own unique gaming experience by using this fully customizable controller. The Vantage 2 can not only be customized visually by choosing one of the 60 designs available, but you can customize the weight, thumbstick sensitivity, and more.

Moodo Smart Home Fragrance Diffuser Bundle ($100): Load up four scents at a time to mix and match the aroma you need, when you need it, for your bedroom, living room, or office.

Boolean Box ($170): Watch as your child builds their very own computer.

Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($30): Shower karaoke anyone?

Tanoshi 2-in-1 Kids Computer ($190): This child's laptop/tablet combo comes with preloaded educational games and apps and parental controls so kids can have fun and parents don't have to worry about their cyber safety.

LED Fitness Data Smart Rope ($80): Track your jump count, calories burned and workout times with this smart rope. Stay motivated with training sessions and compete with your friends to stay motivated.

Pictionary Air ($20): Game night just got elevated. Pictionary Air is classic game with a tech upgrade. Draw in the air and see it on the TV, your phone, or both.

Indy($85): Zone out in these water-resistant earbuds by Skull Candy that are great for music and calls.

Schatzii Smart Cloth 10pk ($50): May your picture always be pristine with these smart cloths. You can use them on your glasses too.

C by GE Full Color Bulbs ($30): Make daily chores and homework fun by scheduling each with a different color using these smart light bulbs.

Disney Frozen 2 Coding Kit ($80): Use your child's love for Disney to get them started with coding.

Universal Grip Band Metallic Rose Gold ($15): Tired of your phone falling on your face? Use this multi-functional phone grip & stand. It's easy to apply and doesn't leave a sticky residue.

UBTECH JIMU Robot Mythical Series: Firebot Kit ($130): Your little builder will love spending hours building their own robot.

Network Case ($28): Use MyTagalongs' signature pink pouch to keep your chords in one place.

Adjustable Neck Smartphone Mount ($12): Go hands free while catching up on all your latest shows with this phone mount.

Wally Dual USB Wall Charger + Standard AC Outlet ($40): We all know the struggle of too many devices and not enough outlets. Charge all your devices at once with this dual wall charger that comes with two USB ports so you don't have to play the switching game anymore.

Legacybox ($60 and up): Transfer retro to digital with Legacybox. Send in your VHS tapes, film reels and photo prints, and have them digitized for a sentimental gift you can share with the whole family.

Upright GO 2 Posture Trainer ($100): This wearable reminder will train you to have better posture in no time.

GE Lighting 93100352 LED + Speaker ($43): Make your home sing with GE's bluetooth enabled smart bulbs with built in speakers.

Jammy Guitar + Detachable Frame ($450): Rock out wherever you happen to be with this digital guitar.

Lovebox Messenger ($100): Send a digital love note to your S.O. through an app and they display in this beech wood box. Watch your loved one light up when they receive a new message alert.

Hot Wheels id Smart Track Kit ($180): This ain't the same Hot Wheels you once knew. With the smart track, you can build, race, and beat in-app challenges. You can also build and beat more than 20 layout designs with 16 assorted track pieces.

InstaShiatsu Foot Massager with Air Compression & Heat ($200): Your piggies will get a kick out of this foot massager.

Tovala Gen 2 Smart Steam WiFi Countertop Oven ($300): The scan-to-cook technology on this countertop oven not only saves time but takes a lot of guess work out of cooking.

Tap Strap 2 Wearable Keyboard ($200): Control your smart devices with this single-handed all in one wearable keyboard.

Pocketalk ($300): Communicate with anyone with this two-way translator, great for everyday use and travel.

WS1 Immersive Wearable Speaker ($300): This wireless speaker rests on top of your shoulders and packs the same vibrations and full sounds of other bluetooth speakers to make you feel like you're actually inside the movie or front row at the concert.

Smoko Boba Tea AirPods Case ($15): Store your AirPods in a compact reminder of your fave drinks.

Wynd Plus Smart Portable Personal Air Purifier ($200): This compact purifier is great for night stands, desks or your suitcase to carry with you wherever you travel.

Arlo Video Doorbell ($149): Keep track of who comes and goes at your front door with this video doorbell that notifies you when motion is detected in front and receive a call when your doorbell is pressed. You can also keep watch over all of those Amazon packages that are left on your porch during the day.

Sony Digital Paper ($448): Go paperless by taking notes on this low glare screen with a texture that feels just like real paper.

Retractable Stay Positive Charging Cord ($30): Cute keychain + charging cord = winning.

Courant Catch 2 ($80): Charge all your devices at once with this multi-device wireless charging pad.

Adonit Note+ ($70): An alternative to the Apple pen, the Adonit Note+ allows for up to 10 hours of continuous note-taking or artistry along with programmable short cuts.

Sunpak Ultimate Vlogging Kit ($150): For the friend who has always wanted to start a vlog, gift them with a quality filming setup.

Side Trak ($300): Busy bees will appreciate this attachable portable dual screen that works with your laptop.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

There are few holiday moviescenes as iconic as THE Love Actually cue card scene. In case you haven't watched the movie since last Christmas, the scene comes at the end of the film, when Juliet (Kiera Knightley) finds Mark (Andrew Lincoln) outside with cue cards declaring his love for her, and a Christmas carol-playing boombox to mask their conversation. They stand gazing into each other's eyes, and share a kiss before the credits roll.

But even though this moment is cemented in pop culture history, I've always found it really icky for one reason: Juliet's husband, and Mark's best friend, is inside, oblivious to the whole thing!!! And turns out, I'm not the only one who doesn't like this Love Actually scene — Keira Knightley found it super weird to film.

Here's what Keira Knightley had to say about the iconic Love Actually cue card scene.

Keira Knightley might not remember much about 'Love Actually,' but she remembers disliking the end.

Believe it or not, Keira Knightley doesn't actually remember much about Love Actually, but she'll never forget filming the cue card scene. "The slightly stalkerish aspect of it — I do remember that," she told the LA Times. "My memory is of [director] Richard [Curtis], who is now a very dear friend, of me doing the scene, and him going, 'No, you’re looking at [Lincoln] like he’s creepy,' and I’m like [in a dramatic whisper], “But it is quite creepy.' And then having to redo it to fix my face to make him seem not creepy."

The Black Dovesactress has a good reason for not remembering much of the movie, though: she was on set for five days...and she was only 17. "Most of my films I have either never seen or I have only seen once," she continues. "So it’s nothing against Love Actually. It’s lovely because it didn’t do as well as everyone thought it was going to when it came out. Suddenly, like three or four years later, it sort of took on a life of its own. It’s the only film I’ve had that found this life afterward. The problem is, I was on it for about five days. I was 17, so I don’t actually have any memory whatsoever of it."

Okay, I would totally disagree that Love Actually is the only movie with a life of its own — I'd say Pride & Prejudice definitely became its own beautiful creature.

Keira also revealed the real reason she wore the iconic baker boy hat.

The cue card scene isn't the only piece of Love Actually lore Keira's dropped in recent years. She also told BBC 1 she wasn't technically supposed to wear her baker boy hat (another iconic detail from the movie). Then she got a huge zit on her forehead.

“This is the problem with being 17 and being in films," she says. "I mean — it was humongous so there was no choice but we had to find a hat to cover it. Cause there was no lighting, there was no makeup that was going to cover it.”

“It’s funny how you just remember extreme embarrassment, isn't it?" Keira continues. "I remember coming in in the morning, being like, ‘Oh wow, I’ve got another head on my head. What are we going to do? There’s nothing we can do about this.' But there is, because you can always put a hat over it!” And that's a rule I like to live by.

Read up on The Most Stylish Holiday Movie Leading Ladies, Ranked and The Best The Holiday Relationship Has Nothing To Do With Romance for more Christmas movie goodness!

Am I really that delusional to think reading the best romance books of the year had something to do with the deepened connection between my fiancé and I? Maybe, maybe not. What I do know is that these books sparked my imagination which led to more dates and the growth of a love language I used to cringe at — consistent physical touch.

If you love the classic romance troupes, you'll enjoy getting to know the many ways people can fall in love with these 10 books.

Here are 10 best romance books that were so spicy — & I totally fell in love with this year!

Amazon

1. How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

How many times will I add this book to a "best of" roundup? It's hard to say, but this probably won't be the last time you hear about How to End a Love Story.
I don't want to cheapen it's plot by saying it follows the familiar enemies-to-lovers troupe because Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's trajectory stems from a tragic situation they couldn't control. What readers will discover is they were unfairly thrust in the middle of something that requires a lot of them and have had to try to build their lives after it.
The fact they get to work together on an adaptation of one of Helen's most popular books is just the beginning of the dismantling of their rigid shells.

Amazon

2. The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

The Paradise Problemis the other book I'll forever champion because you couldn't tell it was written by two authors! That's right, Christina Lauren is a bestie duo that managed to craft Anna and Liam's story in a way that makes me wish I could meet them in my mind for the first time.
Unknown to them, they're both dealing with family issues. The only difference is that Anna's always know what it's liked to loved and supported by her dad while Liam's had to face a cold, calculating one. Together, they'll learn that a fake relationship can give way to something beautiful if they're able to work past the looming disaster that's waiting for them.

Amazon

3. Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell created magic with Slow Dance and it has everything to do with the fact two best friends didn't realize they were in love with each other. Their names? Shiloh and Cary.
They used to be really close when they were younger, but adulthood pulled them in separate directions and things sort of fell apart. For Shiloh, being a single mother whose dreams didn't pan out the way she wanted feels particularly tough.
Still, attending a friend's wedding gives her a spark of hope and anxiety because she knows she'll see Cary again. When they do lay eyes on each other, all of their memories and unspoken words come rushing back.

Amazon

4. The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain

The Slowest Burn is the only piece of fiction that inspired me to start cooking recipes with my fiancé again this year. It's full of tasty glimpses of recipes and a little spicy romance that'll make you blush.

Ellie Wasserman and Kiernan O'Neill couldn't be more different than each other, but yet they're forced to get a little more acquainted when they get into a verbal spat during the latter's big night at the restaurant he works at. Ellie's supposed to be the ghostwriter for Kiernan's cookbook, but he has no idea what he wants to include and that aggravates Ellie because she thinks he has the privilege of not caring.

However, a weeks days together proves they've misjudged each other and things start heating up in more ways than one.

Amazon

5. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Just for the Summer is another fun rom-com that I enjoyed reading for it's interesting plot. Justin and Emma find their way into each other's lives as they grapple with having back luck in the love department. They've both watched countless exes find love and happiness after dating them so they decide it's worth date each other for a while before calling it quits. The problem is that their little time on Lake Minnesota comes with a lot more than they bargained for.

Amazon

6. This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

What is it about flings that makes us think they're a good idea? I don't think we have the answers, especially Lucy and Felix. They have a great time together while she's visiting Prince Edward Island, but Felix has very close ties to Lucy's best friend. Over time, Lucy's trips to the island with her bestie Bridget become more frequent and she swears off having another intimate moment with Felix.
One day, Bridget gets a case of the wedding jitters and leaves for Toronto. Wanting to come to figure out what's going on, Lucy trails behind her. She'll have to ease her friend's fears and pretend she doesn't feel anything for the man she can't stop thinking about.

Amazon

7. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali Morris reminds me of everyone who's know how to help other people keep track of things while their own life is a mess. She's still grieving her mom when her marriage crumbles so she kind of gives up on life. When she decides to at least get out of the house, she meets Ethan...while wearing overalls of all things.

She's not sure what will happen, but she decides to let herself get caught up in Ethan for the summer. She's genuinely surprised when it genuinely seems like Ethan likes her and wouldn't mind having something more than a summer romance.

Amazon

8. A Novel Love Storyby Ashley Poston

Eileen Merriweather is a girl after my own heart because she loves reading romance books too. At least they keep her mind off the fact her soon-to-be-husband decided to call off their wedding during the ceremony. The one thing she has to look forward to is the book club retreat she's going to. She's filled with so much excitement until a mishap leaves her stuck in the small town of Eloraton.
It's a place she's read about before which lessens the blow of what's happened until she realizes nothing's progressed from the author's story who's no longer alive. The only person is her way is an irritatingly moody and sexy bookshop owner who doesn't want her meddling in things.
It could be that she and him are the key to putting things on the right track, if only they can get aligned on a plan.

Amazon

9. Wild Love by Elsie Silver

Ford Grant doesn't care about having his accomplishments or looks celebrated. He'd actually prefer to set up shop in Rose Hill, but his plans are interrupted when his alleged daughter finds him. So, he runs his business and tries to connect with the moody pre-teen that's become a regular part of his life. Further complicating his life is the presence of Rosie Belmont — the sister of his best friend.

He doesn't hesitate to give her a job when she asks, determined to keep things professional. However, the more he tries to create distance between them, the more she inches closer.

There's so many reasons why Ford should stay away from Rosie, but emotion keeps overriding logic.

Amazon

10. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Tia Williams painted a lovely picture of love between two creative artists who find love in Harlem, NY. It starts with Ricki Wilde understanding she's nothing like her sisters or wealthy family in Atlanta. She'd rather pursue a more freeing experience that's not bound by so many stuffy rules and the terrible romantic picks she keeps running into.
As Ricki gets settled in Harlem, she ends up meeting Ezra and that's when time and love begin to give way to something greater than she could've ever imagined.

Don't miss out on the overall best books I read in 2024! Check out our storefront for even more good reads to pick up this year!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.