Ever wonder what the Once Upon a Book Club team dives into when they’re off the clock and curled up with a good book? Spoiler alert: we’re just as obsessed with stories as you think we are! Whether it’s dark romantasy, heart-melting lit-fic, or laugh-out-loud chaos featuring hitmen with commitment issues (yes, really), we each have a unique flavor of fiction we reach for. 

Sit back and relax as we peek behind the pages to see what’s currently sitting on our nightstands and what’s keeping us up way past our bedtime.

From museum magic to dystopian drama, here’s what the OUABC team is reading now (and loving!).

 

Logan: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

“This is the second book in the Arc of a Scythe series. It's a really great series about technology becoming all-powerful and how humanity responds to a "perfect" world. It has a lot of 2000s/2010s dystopian vibes, and it's terrifying, but also I can't stop reading it.”

If you loved the golden era of dystopian fiction, Logan’s pick is calling your name. Thunderhead continues the gripping Arc of a Scythe series, where mortality is managed by Scythes and society is run by a superintelligent AI. As Rowan goes rogue and Citra questions everything she’s been taught, the Thunderhead—the AI itself—watches from above, disapprovingly. It's a smart, chilling, unputdownable ride that will have you questioning what perfection really means.

 

Tiffany: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith 

“I’m sold on this one because it’s a blend of The Selection and Cruel Prince!”

Say no more—this is peak romantasy with a dark fairy twist. In The Rose Bargain, young debutante Ivy Benton enters a cutthroat competition to win the heart of a fae prince. But this isn’t your average enchanted courtship—behind the glamor and glitter lies a sinister plot and soul-stealing bargains that could cost her everything. It’s enchanting, treacherous, and delightfully addictive. Think tiaras with teeth.

 

Teri: The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager

“This is a literary love story between a museum employee and the subject of a Matisse painting hanging on the wall. He is able to pull her into the painting with him, and she gets to explore the world inside his frame. This is really fun so far because you get POVs from Claire, the museum employee, as well as Jean, the man inside the painting, as he looks out at all the museumgoers. I'm a Docent at a museum, so it's extra fun to see a museum love story.”

This dreamy novel is like slipping into a painting—literally. Claire and Jean’s love story defies the limits of canvas and time as they step between art and reality. With lush descriptions, layered emotions, and a dash of magical realism, The Art of Vanishing is a romance for every reader who’s ever stood before a masterpiece and wondered what stories it held inside.

 

Sydney: Enchantra by Kaylie Smith

“I absolutely LOVED Phantasma and couldn't wait to get the story of Ophelia's sister. This book was Ready or Not meets Throne of the Fallen, and I could not put it down. I love the sibling dynamics, creative games, and chemistry between Genevieve and Rowin!”

With deadly games, fake dating, and a palace full of secrets, Enchantra is a romantasy lover’s dream. Genevieve, rebellious and clever, is drawn into a world where survival depends on deception—and maybe on falling in love with your greatest rival. Dark, sexy, and full of twisty sibling drama, this book will make you cancel plans just to keep reading.

 

Nicole: Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen

“I've absolutely loved the first part of this book so far and the unique spin it puts on the nutcracker story!! It's been so good and I haven't wanted to put it down since I started reading!”

This isn’t the Nutcracker of your childhood. Kingdom of Sweets reimagines the holiday classic with a moody, magical twist. Natasha and Clara are cursed sisters navigating a world of enchanted sugar and dangerous bargains. Gorgeous prose meets dark fantasy in a tale where every treat has a cost and no sisterly bond is safe. It’s rich, atmospheric, and deliciously dark.

 

Tristan: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

“It's mysterious, depressing, and I am loving it!”

You know you’re in good hands when Charlotte McConaghy is on the cover. Wild Dark Shore is a haunting, lyrical story set on a disappearing island, where a grieving family and a mysterious stranger find connection as the world crumbles around them. It’s full of secrets, grief, quiet hope, and the raw, beautiful ache of survival. Prepare to have your heart tugged in unexpected directions.

 

Ryan: Himbo Hitman by Saxon James

“Perry is a "hitman" that can't follow through and makes his targets pinky swear to go into hiding. This book had me laughing the whole time, but also had me wanting to pat Perry on the head while saying 'oh honey'. He doesn't always think before he acts, and that gets him into some interesting situations.”

Welcome to the chaos of Perry’s world: where murder-for-hire turns into accidental bromance. Himbo Hitman is a hilarious, heartwarming rom-com featuring the world’s worst assassin and the handsome target he just can’t kill. If you love cinnamon roll characters, pinky-swear alliances, and action-packed ridiculousness with a romantic core, this one will steal your heart (but not your life).

Bookmark This Blog (and Maybe a Few Titles)

Whether you’re into dystopias, fairy bargains, or hitmen who’d rather hug than harm, the OUABC team has a TBR list to suit every mood. We love diving into the same kinds of stories we select for our book boxes: ones that make you think, laugh, swoon, and stay up way too late. 

Got a favorite from this list? Tag us on socials and let us know what you're reading, too. We’re always looking to add “just one more” to our pile.

And hey, if you're ever stuck on what to read next, our monthly subscription boxes come with a carefully selected title and surprise gifts that bring the story to life—perfect for every type of reader (and especially those who love a good plot twist).

Ready to fall in love with your next read? So are we. 📚✨