Are we getting a flood of good romance this winter and spring? When I sat down to compile this list, there were so many titles that I wanted to include that I made the decision to do two months of new releases at a time instead of three. As always, I haven’t read any of these titles but I’m looking forward to all of them and you can expect a full report as they appear on my doorstep or on bookstore shelves. Like I mentioned last week, one of my reading goals this year is to read books when I acquire them instead of letting them languish unread and one thing that helped me a little last year was very publicly declaring my enthusiasm for them. Check back in a month or two to see which ones I’m ready to pledge myself to for eternity.
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma K. Alban (January 9th)
Sapphic parent-trapping Victorian debutantes! It looks like this one has both a friends-to-lovers romance brimming over with pining between our heroines and an enemies-to-lovers/second chance romance between their parents and sounds like it’s incredibly fun.
Any Duke in a Storm by Amalie Howard (January 9th)
I haven’t read the previous installments in this series but the setup sounds so deliciously good—international spy heroine, adventure on the high seas, and pirates—that I’m hoping I can dive right in. This is also set in the Caribbean and I’m always looking for more historical romances outside the UK.
Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar (January 16th)
Fake engagement alert! This contemporary romance is being billed as both a 90’s style romantic comedy and a thoughtful look at the impact of familial and cultural expectations, which is a deeply intriguing combination to me.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews (January 16th)
New Mimi Matthews, do I need to say anything else? This is the third in Matthews’ Belles of London series, which started my love affair with her writing early last year, and promises a second chance romance, a deeply emotional exploration of grief, and small moments that shimmer with longing.
Never Blow a Kiss by Lindsay Lovise (January 23rd)
This historical romance about a secret network of governesses who spy on the ton had me at governess spies and seeing it compared to Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belles series only made me more excited to read it.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (February 6th)
I’m expecting Williams’ new romance to have wonderfully complex characters, a vivid depiction of New York, and so. many. feelings. Seven Days in June wrecked me a little a few years ago and I’m ready for Williams to take me on another emotional rollercoaster.
At First Spite by Olivia Dade (February 13th)
Olivia Dade is an auto-buy author for me and I’ve been anticipating the first in her new series ever since I heard about it in her newsletter. For me, her novels are the perfect combination of wit and heart and her main characters are so nuanced and richly developed.
Sex, Lies, and Sensibility by Nikki Payne (February 13th)
Austen-inspired? A rundown inn in Maine that needs renovation? An author who I’ve heard fabulous things about from an entire romance book club? I’ll read any Austen retelling out there but this one sounds particularly inspired.
Currently reading: Expectation by Anna Hope, because I can’t resist an exploration of female friendship.
What’s bringing me joy lately:
Making the decision to keep my sparkly holiday garland up through the winter. I need a touch of sparkle with the rainy, blustery weather we’ve been having
I’m writing this week’s newsletter a little ahead of time, but by the time you read this, I will almost certainly have gotten in some beachside reading, preferably with a fruity drink in hand.
Sifting through the racks of vintage clothing at Essex Market and casting longing glances at a few perfect coats.
I just put the first two of Mimi Matthews' Belles books on hold ... yay for a series that I can dive right into!
Just read and loved LILY OF LUDGATE HILL. I have to dive into Mimi Matthews’ backlist! Thanks for introducing me to her delightful work!!