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20 bestselling book deals for less than $11

20 bestselling book deals for less than $11

New York Posta day ago
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.
The average American reads just one book a month, though between us, I suspect that number's padded by the overachievers. Grim, right? But don't panic. We're not here to shame your TBR pile, we're here to revive it.
Reading is still one of the most powerful ways to boost your brainpower, empathy, and cocktail party one-liners. Thanks to Amazon's wallet-friendly book prices, flexing your mental muscles doesn't have to come at the cost of your morning latte. Whether you're a literary snob, a beach-read devotee, or someone who's been meaning to finish a book since 2021, there's something here for you.
This carefully curated list has something for everyone, from unputdownable thrillers, rom-coms, and celeb memoirs to literary heavyweights and hidden indie gems.
Ready to upgrade your brain and downgrade your screen time? Let's turn the page.
No book list would be complete without a Kristin Hannah addition. The queen of historical fiction does it again in her arguably most moving novel. A desperate family moves off the grid, following them on a journey to discover which nature is worse, environmental or human.
A masterful exploration of intimacy, identity, and the complexities of modern love. With razor-sharp insight and hauntingly beautiful prose, Rooney traces the evolving relationship between Connell and Marianne — two young people whose lives intertwine with tenderness and tension. It's a deeply moving portrait of connection, vulnerability, and the struggle to find yourself in someone else. Easily one of the most honest and unforgettable novels of our time, and my personal favorite.
This debut thriller is a mystery you will not be able to put down. Fly through this engaging novel to discover how wealth and jealousy can manipulate us. How far will one go to keep their past and future from colliding?
A guaranteed feel-good read. The story of a solemn notebook, passed between six strangers, leading to unpredictable connections. Be delighted as the cast of The Authenticity Project discover the words within.
We couldn't help but put another Kristin Hannah book on the list. Sorry! A #1 New York Times bestseller and the Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, this novel follows a mother and daughter living in Paris during WWII. With her husband gone, protagonist Vianne is faced with impossible choices, putting others, herself, and her daughter in danger.
Patti Smith's poetic memoir captures the raw energy of 1970s New York and her deep bond with Robert Mapplethorpe. With vivid honesty, she reveals the grit, dreams, and fierce creativity that shaped them both. A powerful tribute to friendship and artistic passion that lingers long after the last page.
Elsie Silver is blowing up on #BookTok, and rightfully so. This rom-com takes you into a world of professional bull riding and forbidden flirtation. This book is truly a flawless example of why readers adore the one-bed trope.
History buffs will revel in the true story. An account of one 18th-century man's decades-long obsession with solving a seemingly impossible scientific dilemma.
Eleanor Oliphant is (not) completely fine. She is an eccentric young woman who struggles with profound isolation, that is, until she meets two unsuspected friends. Another heart-warming pick about the trials of human interaction and the value of connection.
Have you ever wondered what your life could have been like if one choice had been different? In the folds between universes, Nora Seed stumbles upon a library where each book is another life she could have lived. Join Nora to go up against the overwhelming anchor of regret and discover if a life different from the one you currently live would be any better.
This is the memoir to get you into memoirs. With raw honesty, Walls recounts her chaotic childhood filled with hardship, resilience, and unforgettable family drama. A powerful story of survival and hope that proves strength often comes from the most fragile places.
Emily Henry is all the rage; any self-respecting avid (or dabbling) romance reader has at least one of her books under their belt. If you haven't read Funny Story yet, you simply must! It's a story of a woman dumped by her fiancé, only to move in with her ex in an act of revenge that turns into — well, I don't want to spoil it.
Belle da Costa Greene holds a prestigious title, J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, but she lives a double life. Although an African American, she passes as white to protect her family and self. A moving historical novel about race, ambition, and legacy, you won't be able to put it down.
A psychological thriller following newlyweds on their honeymoon. Be enthralled by this page-turning story about things hiding in murky water and life-altering choices.
A gripping love story spanning 13 years: Two people meet time and time again, seems meant to be right? But life has other things in store. Is the connection between Lucy and Gabe fated in the stars or star-crossed?
A group of musicians band together, propelling themselves into fame. They struggle with love, loss, betrayal, and substance abuse. Written in interview transcripts, this popular novel (and Amazon Prime mini series) is a true page-turner.
A mother and her son's life is turned upside down when her journalist husband publishes a piece exposing a new drug lord in Acapulco. Lydia is forced to flee to avoid the wrath of the cartel. They find themselves amongst others, trying to reach the United States. Lydia realizes that everyone is fleeing from something. If everyone is constantly on the run, what are they running to?
A spellbinding reimagining of the Trojan War that centers on the fierce bond between Achilles and Patroclus. Blending epic myth with intimate emotion, this novel pulses with passion, heartbreak, and raw humanity. Miller's lush, vivid prose brings the ancient world crashing into the modern reader's heart. For anyone who loves mythology served with a side of romance and tragedy, this is a must-read.
A heartwarming rom-com, a woman inherits her aunt's Manhattan apartment to find that time bends there. Even stranger, she discovers a man living there — seven years in the past. Blending wit, charm, and a dash of fantasy, it explores love's resilience through twists both emotional and unexpected. This charming story reminds us that sometimes, fate just needs a little help, and that true connection can survive even the trickiest of timelines.
This fantastical retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a fan favorite for a reason. What's the difference between a man and a monster? And what's the difference between a curse and a blessing? Read to find out.
Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
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When does My Oxford Year come out on Netflix? Release time in the UK, US, Australia and more
When does My Oxford Year come out on Netflix? Release time in the UK, US, Australia and more

Cosmopolitan

time30 minutes ago

  • Cosmopolitan

When does My Oxford Year come out on Netflix? Release time in the UK, US, Australia and more

It's a summer of love over on Netflix, and My Oxford Year starring none other than Bridgerton's Corey Mylchreest (hello!), is bringing major swoon energy. Based on Julia Whelan's novel of the same title, the film follows Anna (played by singer and actress Sofia Carson) - a smart American chasing her dreams at Oxford until a brooding Brit (Mylchreest) throws her plans off course and they fall madly in love - think: Notting Hill meets Emily in Paris. Intrigued? Read on for everything you need to know about the release date and time. The official synopsis reads: "When Anna (Carson), an ambitious young American woman, sets out for the UK and the University of Oxford to fulfill a childhood dream, she's got her life completely on track. That is, until she meets a charming and clever local Jamie (Mylchreest) who profoundly alters both of their lives." The film is a story close to Mylchreest's heart. The 27-year-old actor was born in London and had his own version of an Oxford year. "I have a friend that studied for uni in Oxford, and so there was a period of my life where I was going up and getting the train to Oxford quite frequently," the actor said. As for Carson, her exposure to the historic campus was more similar to her fish-out-of-water character's, with the actress saying: "I chose not to visit all the locations where we would be filming because I wanted to save my honest reaction to witnessing the magic of Oxford for the first time, for once the cameras were rolling to truly experience Oxford just as Anna would." My Oxford Year will land on Netflix on Friday 1st August at 8am GMT. Not based in the UK? Here's all the times the series lands on Netflix where you are on 1st August: My Oxford Year airs on Netflix on Friday 1st August.

How Lioness Built A Sexual Wellness Brand Selling Women Their Orgasms
How Lioness Built A Sexual Wellness Brand Selling Women Their Orgasms

Forbes

time5 hours ago

  • Forbes

How Lioness Built A Sexual Wellness Brand Selling Women Their Orgasms

Lioness Sextech for Sexual Wellness 'When we started the company, I was still very scared of my body,' Anna Lee, co-founder and CEO of the sexual wellness company, Lioness Health, told me over Zoom. 'I very much was like, 'I'm never doing interviews.' I never wanted to say the word vagina, or anything like that. I just want to build this really cool vibrator.' Eight years later, this former Amazon mechanical design engineer raised in a conservative Korean household is now running a profitable company convincing women to share their most intimate biometric data: their orgasms. She's built a strong TikTok following by turning her own orgasm charts into viral content after a 30-day challenge to, if I may borrow from Seinfeld, not be master of her domain. July 31st marks National Orgasm Day. Yes, it's a thing, widely celebrated across six countries as an offshoot of International Female Orgasm Day, founded in Brazil in 2007. Its purpose is to promote sexual wellness education, reduce stigma around the female orgasm, and raise awareness about the orgasm gap. While 95% of heterosexual men climax during sex, only 65% of heterosexual women do. Thirty-nine percent of women always orgasm when alone versus 6% during partnered encounters. A final statistic shocking to no woman, 60% of women have faked orgasms. Twenty-five percent of men have also, though presumably with less acclaim Lee immediately saw an entrepreneurial opportunity in launching Lioness, a smart vibrator tracking biometric data during orgasms. 'I really thought I could build a better vibrator. How do we have self-driving cars and VR glasses, but our sex toys are literally a motor and battery? It makes no sense there's so little tech innovation in sex toys.' Building a company around female pleasure required navigating an industrial landscape where traditional marketing channels are off the table, manufacturing comes with byzantine triangulation, and mentioning the O-word triggers algorithmic censorship. Despite the big O's physical and mental health benefits, sexual wellness is still one of the most underdeveloped segments in the health economy. The global market for sexual technology products, or sextech, is projected to exceed $48 billion by 2033. Hearing industry standards for testing vibration intensity from the male founder of a sex toy company sparked Lee's quiet revolution. 'He told me the industry standard was to put the vibration on your nose and this is what a clitoris feels like!' Lee was aghast. 'All those times where if a toy doesn't work for you, and you're thinking something's wrong with me, why am I broken, but it's really because none of those toys were ever made with women in mind. They're meant for men to purchase for their significant other when they're trying to spice up their relationship.' If the industry was defining 'normal' without studying women's bodies, leaving women to quietly internalize design failures as personal ones, the only plausible solution was to go directly to the source: women's bodies. Sextech And Sexual Wellness The Lioness vibrator with data visualization app Most sexual wellness companies peddle pleasure. Lioness specializes in data. The company operates within the rapidly expanding sextech market, where technology intersects with taboo to fill gaps legacy science conveniently ignores. 'We wanted to take sex toys and make them not sexy, but very nerdy. Make it something that feels like you're understanding your body better, making you curious about your body. The same way people get obsessed with Fitbits, Oura rings, fitness trackers. Why can't you be equally empowered about sexual wellness?' At Amazon, Lee specialized in force sensors embedded in Kindles and tablets, precisely the technological expertise needed to detect pelvic floor muscle movement. If a touchscreen could register the subtle press of a fingertip, why not the contractions of an orgasm? She reverse-engineered this logic and built a sensor durable enough for intimate use while maintaining clinical accuracy. The Lioness monitors pelvic floor muscle contractions, body temperature, and movement patterns during orgasm, translating arousal into data visualizations via a companion app. Each device is assigned a unique ID connecting to an anonymous data repository, allowing users to track patterns over time. She had the perfect product, but her go-to-market strategy wasn't as easy as she'd hoped. Lioness launched into a market where it couldn't say what it was selling. Basic DTC and GTM playbooks recommend Facebook and Instagram advertising, Google Ads, and mainstream influencer partnerships. But when Lioness launched in 2014, the term sextech didn't exist. Sexual wellness products were categorized alongside pornographic content. Meta rejected advertisements outright; YouTube labeled educational content as adult material; payment processors flagged transactions; and even email marketing campaigns were threatened by spam filters. 'January 1st was probably the first time we were able to truly run ads for Meta,' Lee shared. 'This is the first time we're actually experiencing being able to do the traditional method of paid marketing. Before then, we were doing pretty out there things to get the word out, doing everything but paid marketing.' Those 'out there things' included scientific exhibitionism of the most intimate variety. During the pandemic, Lee launched a TikTok channel where she displayed her own orgasm charts. 'I wasn't even showing the vibrator. I was like, this is what data looks like in terms of my orgasms. If I drink coffee, this is what it looks like.' Her candor earned her 450,000 followers. Lee then escalated her commitment to empirical transparency by self pleasuring daily for 30 consecutive days, documenting the physiological variations, and posting analysis on Reddit's DataIsBeautiful subreddit. The posts went viral. 'There were days that was very stressful, because when you're forced to masturbate for 30 days, it is way more difficult than wanting to masturbate for 30 days,' Lee recalled. 'There's days you're like, 'Oh man, I don't even feel like it.' But you're just doing it because you're keeping your streak up.' While Lee charted her climaxes, her team churned out three to four educational articles a week, positioning Lioness as a sexual wellness thought leader while skirting the 'sex toy' label entirely. Lee spoke on every panel she could find, joined every discussion, and chased every earned media opportunity available. By the time Meta finally sanctioned Lioness advertisements in January 2025, coinciding with broader policy shifts surrounding the 2024 elections, the platform had become virtually pointless. Her organic strategy outpaced paid acquisition. Users acquired through content and word-of-mouth showed higher engagement and stronger lifetime value than any gained from those intrusive paid feed interruptions. Lee initially approached the product with an engineer's logic, but the emotional impact on customers caught her by surprise. Many buyers didn't just see Lioness as a tool. They saw it instead as a form of agency, a way to reclaim knowledge long ignored, outsourced, or medicalized beyond recognition. 'There was a researcher that did a study with the Lioness users on what this data means to them, why people buy the Lioness,' Lee said. 'Most, almost a huge percentage of people were like, 'this data helps me and helps other people learn about their body.' They felt this pursuit. They're pioneers in sexual health, helping contribute to the science of sexual wellness, getting more research out there, helping other women understand their bodies better by also contributing their data to science.' Lioness's Sexual Wellness Lab Lioness users opt in to share anonymously their data to researchers Dr. Dee Hartmann, PT, DPT, spent 27 years running a physical therapy clinic in suburban Chicago, specializing in treating chronic vulvar pain, an anatomical mystery patriarchal medicine dismisses. Since shifting her focus to research and education in 2017, she's become a global speaker, author, and co-founder of both The Pleasure Movement and the Center for Genital Health and Education. 'I've spent my life in women's pelvises,' Hartmann candidly told me over Zoom. 'And I'm very fascinated by what happens from a functional perspective. Physical therapists try to treat the cause of a problem rather than medication which treats the symptoms.' Her preliminary research with Lioness's real-time biometric data showed orgasmic contractions generate statistically greater force than voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions. 'We possess negligible understanding in the medical literature regarding what constitutes a female orgasm,' Hartmann continued. 'Female sexual arousal was determined in laboratories with college students supine on tables with temperature and moisture gauges positioned internally. The clitoris received no consideration whatsoever.' Lioness users, meanwhile, have established an unconventional relationship with the company, anonymously contributing their data while enjoying the well-documented benefits of orgasm (better sleep, lower stress, improved immunity). Those who opt in further can share their device ID with researchers, who can then access physiological data from Lioness's mainframe. For Hartmann, the possibilities are finally catching up to questions she's asked her whole career. She dreams of studying cultural differences in physiological arousal, comparing, for instance, orgasm signatures from women in sexually repressive environments versus those in more liberal societies. And now, for the first time, she has a tool that could make those studies possible. 'My thesis is, I want to know the impact and the functionality of pelvic floor muscles and clitoral stimulation, and how it contributes to arousal and orgasm.' She pointed to one Lioness user showing dramatic variations between a 16-minute midnight session and a five-minute morning quickie. 'The studies we could do with this are just endless!' Hartmann enthused. Over in the Czech Republic, Dr. James Pfaus has also been working with Lioness in his research. Pfaus is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at Charles University Prague and Director of Research Division, Center for Sexual Health and Intervention at the Czech National Institute of Mental Health. 'The Lioness, I think, is truly detecting pelvic floor movements, which is the motor part of your orgasm,' Pfaus enlightened me during our Zoom call. Pfaus has already used the Lioness to develop new theories around women's sexual wellness. His analysis of 52 women across multiple sessions introduced three distinct orgasmic signatures: These signatures now inform broader theories about sexual response, reshaping how female pleasure is understood both in labs and bedrooms. 'It's very hard to get funding to study orgasms,' Pfaus lamented. 'Nobody wants to put money into understanding orgasm or orgasm problems because it's like, well, we have other things to study. There's cancer.' In the interim, Lioness is helping researchers like Hartmann and Pfaus bypass academic bureaucracy to continue their research until funding gatekeepers start realizing the $48 billion potential of this work. Takeaways for CMOs Navigating the Taboo Sexual Wellness Industry Lioness's GTM strategy invariably created very passionate consumers. When traditional digital marketing channels shut the door to Lee's ambitions, she created a window and strategically used her $1.2 million fundraise to launch Lioness. Unable to buy attention with advertising, she earned it instead through thought leadership backed by scientific credibility. Bootstrapping led to disciplined spending and creative problem-solving – such as her sharing very personal data very publicly, winning over Gen Z in the process, and their passion for audacity in sexual wellness education. For CMOs navigating restricted markets or taboo categories, here's how to copy her blueprint: 'As someone that was so scared of her own body growing up, the one way I found comfort in understanding my body was through science,' Lee confessed. 'There's a big mission drive for people purchasing the Lioness beyond just being like, 'Hey, this is a really cool vibrator.' They also feel that really big passion of what we have is to change the mission around sexual health and research.' Lee's arc from anatomy-phobic engineer to orgasm-data sexual wellness influencer is how taboo markets reward orthogonal thinking. In building a vibrator cum research device, she reengineered the narrative around female pleasure and redefined for women the passionate pursuit of luxury as the ability to own both their power and their pleasure.

Hard Rock Atlantic City review: Concert schedule, dining, rooms, casino, boardwalk
Hard Rock Atlantic City review: Concert schedule, dining, rooms, casino, boardwalk

New York Post

time7 hours ago

  • New York Post

Hard Rock Atlantic City review: Concert schedule, dining, rooms, casino, boardwalk

Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. A visit to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino starts long before you even step foot in the massive multipurpose space. Once your car whizzes past the kitschy 'Welcome To Atlantic City' sign and big-name billboards lining the highway, a massive guitar can be spotted on the horizon. Yep. That's the Hard Rock. The iconic venue, which once was the Taj Mahal, opened a day ahead of schedule in 2018. Over the past seven years, the 17-acre (!) venue has established itself with tasteful rooms, award-winning dining, lively gameplay, a state-of-the-art pool, spa, gym, countless shrines dedicated to rock-and-roll heroes and, of course, its top-notch entertainment. Exciting upcoming guests include household-name headliners like Earth Wind and Fire, Avett Brothers, Foreigner, The Temptations and Old Dominion. 'No matter the season, the Hard Rock is filled with excitement and live music seven days a week,' said George Goldhoff, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. 'We're proud to offer the ultimate resort destination with unparalleled guest services.' And I got to experience the brash, cheeky space in all its rock and roll glory. This past month, my wife and three-year-old daughter and I stayed at the AC mainstay and took in all the hotel and casino had to offer including a live show at their intimate yet epic, aforementioned Etess Arena. To give you an idea of what it's like to spend time at the hard rockin' Hard Rock, here's an exclusive account of our visit. Check-in Upon entrance — after marveling at the larger-than-life trademark guitar — guests are greeted by live music as advertised. An impassioned band performed on a nearby stage delivering faithful covers of rock classics. This place is kickin'. Kinda like a live-action 'Rock Band,' the video game. A full-on cavalcade of noises and colors and life. Once we regained our bearings, the helpful staff guided us through check-in. They were delightful, gave us their full attention and had us set with a keycard and water bottles within minutes. Plus, if you look closely enough, you'll notice each and every employee is adorned with a pin name-checking their favorite artists. I clocked fans of Journey, Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Carrie Underwood and the Jonas Brothers. I think I like it here. Etess Arena On night one, I made my way to the cavernous Etess Arena to see the 'Jersey Boy' himself, Frankie Valli. Once I established where I was seated within the spacious venue, I ran into an encasement of Bon Jovi's wardrobe on my walk into the men's room. You don't see that every day. Nice touch, Hard Rock. Not many places make bathrooms memorable but you guys do. Kudos. Now, fully ready to catch the show, I returned to the inviting 7,000-seat venue. Upon first glance, it was clear: this malleable space is special. With it lower-level seats that aren't bolted to the ground (and stadium-style seating in the back), the arena can host any number of shows from concerts to comedy to boxing (which comes on Aug. 30 when the Cage Fury Fighting Championships rolls into town). While waiting for ol' Frankie to take the stage, I admired the big screen promoting all the acts set to visit over the next few months. I'm a sucker for classic rock and can't wait for Foreigner, Yes, Toto, Steve Winwood and, of course, Earth Wind and Fire. And with that, the 'Jersey Boy' ambled into the spotlight. The show was a delight. Excellent acoustics and high ceilings amplified Valli's voice, making seeing the bucket list artist all the more extraordinary. For a closer look at what's coming to the Hard Rock, here are the 11 shows we're most excited about these next few months: 10 Matt Levy The room Before the show, I boarded the elevator, key card in hand, and went back up to the eighth floor. This was where we were staying for the next day or so, and now was the time to make it home. I swung the sturdy door open and marveled at the tasteful, zen-like space. The robust one-bedroom was so generously-sized, I honestly considered throwing a party in the suite. On one side was a breathtaking flatscreen TV — which was rockin' groovy tunes as we walked in — flanked by a modern L-shaped sectional couch with tasteful throw pillows perfectly placed at each end. 10 Matt Levy All of a sudden, I didn't want to leave. Yet, there was still so much more to my swanky, temporary abode. While doing a quick 'Cribs' style tour (yes, I'm a Millennial), I discovered a high-class, marble-floored bathroom. The sleek shower, complete with a bench to park yourself while scrubbing, was a dream come true. Perfect water pressure along with travel-sized shampoo, conditioner and body wash was exactly what I needed before jumping on the king-sized bed. Following my initial leap, I landed on a mattress that reminded me of my parents- firm yet supportive. This is exactly what my aching back needed. The hefty pillows were equally impressive. 75% rigid, 25% squish. 10 Matt Levy All in all, Hard Rock's rooms offer the height of luxury when it comes to relaxation. Kick back, spread your wings and forget about the world for a minute. Sound nice? You can book a stay at the Hard Rock Atlantic City here. Kuro Even though I didn't want to move, we had booked a dinner at Kuro, Hard Rock's contemporary Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi. So, I put on my finest polo — you know, because I'm fancy like that — and headed downstairs with the folks. After a short walk, we landed at Chef Leslie Daniel's polished upscale eatery where the fish is flown in from Japan. Our hostess led us to a back booth and sat the three of us. Simei, our server whose been at Kuro since day one in 2018, warmly introduced us to the restaurant's communal dining, family-style philosophy. We ordered a wide variety of dishes based on Simei's recs and, for the next hour, watched each tantalizing menu item get paraded to our table. Up first were shrimp-flavored rice chips. Adorned with nori, they offered the subtlest hint of the sea. Crsipy yet elegant, this was an effective introduction to our meal. Within a few bites, we knew what we were getting with Kuro: classed-up comfort food and elevating classic dishes. Right after, Simei dropped off a large plate of edamame topped with Maldon salt and parmesan-dusted shishito peppers. Both were coarse, robust, powerful answers to the airy chips we'd just downed. Crispy to chewy was exactly the texture profile shift I needed. The apps kept rolling in. Wagyu tacos — which staff had touted as a house favorite — were exceptional. Spicy cilantro, ají amarillo, a deep-fried wonton shell and melty, tingly, refreshing meat wowed me so much that I didn't even mind the mini hors d'oeuvre breaking after taking my first bite. As I cupped the wagyu meat, I might or might not have whispered to myself 'magnificent' like I was Christopher Lloyd in 'Back To The Future.' OK, yes, I did. 10 Matt Levy We didn't stop there. Dungeness crabs with shrimp sauce atop a lush crushed-ice bowl were sneakily sweet but mostly umami, a true tower of tastes capped with a yama momo aka, a Japanese sweet plum that wasn't shy about its bold dessert-like flavor. In a word: yum. Since each new plate was so small, we had room for more. The oishii yellowtail, a light sea bite, was enhanced by jalapeño ponzu and chili pepper making it simultaneously dreamy and punchy. It's a kick in the taste buds I wouldn't mind being treated to a dozen times. Chef Les' tuna roll atop a bed of crispy rice was a war of sludgy and firm textures. While that was intriguing, the true wonder here was the flavors coalescing like teammates working together to create a sum greater than its parts. Truly magical. Pro tip: use the crispy rice as a base for everything. It's a culinary cheat code. Kuro's most accessible dish is likely its karaage chicken, which separates itself from the pack with its crisp skin and tender meat expertly paired with cucumber, pickled daikon and mayo-based sauce. My mouth is watering as I clack away thinking of the light, savory treat. Once again, another small plate, big flavor winner. Finally, we were at the entree portion of the tasting. Their smoky, A5 wagyu ribeye made quite the entrance laying on a bed of grilled salad with thin garlic chips atop a steaming charcoal grill. The lush meat — the softest I've ever laid lips upon — was served with spicy miso, yakitori and cilantro sauces. I alternated between favorites. None overpowered; they were all complementary and kicky in their own way. There wasn't a dud in the bunch. 10 Matt Levy Entree number two was the succulent sea bass served on an unwavering banana leaf. Marinated in miso for 24-48 hours, we were advised by Simei to pair the crunchy, acidic daikon with the pillowy bass. What a masterstroke. At this point, I realized this was Chef Les' secret: let all textures live within a bite for a full mouth-watering experience. 10 Matt Levy My wife went crazy for the creamy, not quite savory surf and turf roll delivered next. This one was a stunner: butter-poached lobster wrapped in torched smoky wagyu beef. If that isn't the definition of decadent, I don't know what is. 10 Matt Levy If you've been wondering 'hey, what was the toddler eating this whole time?', I'm happy to inform you Kuro took care of my sophisticated, adventurous eater daughter. Not only did they drop off plump udon noodles with generous cuts of vegetables and melt-in-your-mouth seared chicken, the staff also brought her easy-to-use chopsticks. I dubbed them 'bumper lane chopsticks.' Brilliant touch. Dessert time. Misei plated seasonal, summer-y, cinnamon sugar Japanese donuts with a trio of dipping sauces. They were sesame, raspberry and chocolate. Let's not beat around the bush. This was the MVP of the sweet-tooth offerings to end our feast. So damn good. 10 Matt Levy Yes, the mochi cake was dense and its partner — Okinawa ube ice cream (!) — hit just right. And, sure the delicate, light-as-a-feather cheesecake draped in a luxurious red sauce with fruit artfully sprinkled about opened my eyes to just what one can do with the idea of 'cheesecake' as inspiration. Still, make no mistake. There was no beating those donuts. I've been dreaming of them ever since we checked out. All in all, we loved everything about Kuro. Chef Les has concocted a visionary, visual menu that leaves you feeling more energized than full after your last bite. Although I'd eaten more than my fair share of fish, meat and carbs, I had a pep in my step as I left. Now, that's a miracle. The casino Post-meal, I walked 50 feet — with a pep in my step, mind you — to the absolutely hopping casino. Flashy, splashy and alive, a real sense of fun percolates at the Hard Rock. This isn't one of those casinos where everyone is mindlessly pulling slots, no siree. Here, folks are jumping up and down, cheering and having a gas. I don't know if everyone was winning big at their respective craps table but spirits seemed high for a large-scale room based on chance. 10 Matt Levy From there, I toured the space. For the next half hour, I wandered from the Hard Rock's Jersey Room looking back at greats from the Garden State like Bruce Springsteen and Lauryn Hill to the halls fitted with rockers' gaudy outfits from yesterday. It's like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame meets a playground for adults. With that, it was time to hit the sack. The boardwalk The next morning — after a great night's sleep — my daughter, wife and I took in the seaside boardwalk, strolling from end to end, smiling ear to ear taking in all its breezy charms. There were runners, Guy Fieri chicken shacks and towering skyscrapers as far as the eye could see. Not a bad way to start the day or entertain a little one. Finally, the three of us decided we ought to dip our toes in the water. I'm so glad we did. It was certainly cold but also rejuvenating. This is exactly how you end a trip, shells in hand, with a grin on your sunburnt face. 10 Matt Levy Final verdict Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is everything one could ever want or need from a hotel. Their comfortable rooms, location right by the water, countless entertainment options and exciting eateries didn't make me feel like I was at home…this was someplace better, which is exactly why I want need to go back to the place with the big guitar out front. I want to start my visit from afar all over again. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change

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