Seven of my anticipated spring romances
Everything I'm preordering and putting on hold
Spring isn’t quite here yet in New York but spring romances certainly are, complete with colorful covers and the promise of new adventures. I’m looking forward to new releases from some favorite and some new-to-me authors and not one, but two, books about women recovering from loss and healing in New York City. (As a friend from my writing group said, “grieving women in New York City are having a bit of a moment”.)
Note that this list doesn’t include any of the really big releases in April, namely the new Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez, because I suspect you don’t need me to tell you that there’s a new Emily Henry coming. I am planning a post for May with longer reviews and read-alike recommendations for a handful of buzzy summer romances, much like I did last year. Let me know if there’s anything you’d especially like to see!
Let's talk buzzy summer romances
Summer is very much here and with it comes a flood of new romance novels, all vying for a place of honor on a beach towel or beside the pool. There’s so many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose, particularly if you’re a more occasional romance reader. Today I wanted to talk about four very buzzy recent romance releases and what kinds of readers they…
But first let’s chat about the books I can’t wait to read in the next two months.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone (March 4th)
Bastone’s books are so very New York, so very voice-y, and so heartfelt. With last year’s Ready or Not, she made me enjoy one of my least favorite tropes (unexpected pregnancy) and I’m ready to follow her wherever she goes next. This story about a woman grieving the loss of her best friend who learns to live again after meeting a grumpy stranger might break my heart a little but I suspect it might also put it back together again.
Fan Service by Rosie Danan (March 11th)
This paranormal romance features an enemies-to-lovers storyline, a heroine who’s an expert on fictional werewolf lore, and a hero who played a werewolf detective on TV…and now might be turning into one. I loved Danan’s Shameless series, including her sense of humor and skill at creating chemistry between her lead characters, and am quite excited for her second foray into paranormal.
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary (April 1st)
Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together after a one-night stand. True, this is a mildly bonkers premise but I’m also into it. This feels like something new for O’Leary, whose The Flatshare is one of my go-to contemporary romance recommendations, but I’m very curious to see where she goes with it. And it doesn’t hurt that the cover happens to be gorgeous.
Passion Project by London Sperry (April 8th)
This is our second grieving woman in New York City, in case you were keeping track. I love a NYC-set romance and this one sounds like the perfect combination of humor and feeling, with the added bonus of a golden retriever hero who sets out to help our heroine recover her passion for life. I also have a feeling this could be a perfect read for occasional romance readers who like some angst with their happy endings.
Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (April 8th)
Jasmine Guillory is back with a sapphic romance! Guillory is another author that I frequently recommend to readers dipping in to romance for the first time and I’m so curious to see what her first f/f romance reads like. We’re also back in Napa Valley and have the delightful combination of the flirting lessons trope and a coming-of-age story.
Anywhere You Go by Bridget Morrissey (April 22nd)
A small-town waitress and Broadway press agent swap homes in this sapphic romance from an author I’ve been wanting to read for ages. This sounds funny and charming and as a longtime fan of The Holiday, I’m always here for a house-swap that ends in true love.
Bold Moves by Emma Barry (April 22nd)
Emma Barry is one of my favorite under-the-radar romance authors and the co-author of the wonderful historical romance series Fly Me to the Moon, set during the space race. Her latest is an angsty second-chance chess romance where exes Scarlett and Jaime reunite to adapt Scarlett’s memoir that promises mess, drama, and a very memorable heroine.
Let me know what romances you’re anticipating this spring!
Currently reading: One on One by Jamie Harrow, because a romance set in the world of college basketball felt right for March.
Recommendations, miscellany, and little bits of joy:
The seriously delicious ziti chickpeas from Smitten Kitchen that made for a perfect late-winter meal.
My latest slightly impractical but joy-bringing purchase: a set of Taylor Swift-themed pens from Talking Out of Turn. (I bought the Folklore and Evermore sets.)
Playing with the best cats at Meow Parlour on the Lower East Side
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I haven't read any Cara Bastone yet (also not a fan of the pregnancy trope) but I'm curious about her new one! I've got the Beth O'Leary one on my list, too! Have you ever read anything by Ali Rosen? I just read her newest one this weekend, Unlikely Story, and it was soooo New York-y in the best way!
Thanks for these recommendations, I've just downloaded the sample of Promise Me Sunshine and it's good so far. I read One on One recently too, it wasn't my favourite, but a solid 3.5 stars I thought. I read Savor It by Tarah DeWitt lately and loved that so off to find more of her books!