I am vibrating with excitement about some of the books the next three months have in store. But first, a quick recap of my previewing skills from April. I read four of the six titles I highlighted in my Q2 preview and I’m delighted to report that three of them (The Fiancee Farce, A Rogue’s Rules for Seduction, and Mrs. Nash’s Ashes) were hits for me. I’m especially excited about Mrs. Nash’s Ashes because it was such a strong debut and I can’t wait to see what Adler writes next. A lot of the romances I’ve loved this year have come from authors I already knew, with the exception of my discovery of Mimi Matthews, and I’m still hoping to find more debuts and new-to-me authors to fall for. Ana Maria and the Fox was more of a mixed bag but I’m sufficiently intrigued to pick up the sequel when it comes out, especially since the first book got a lot of the clunky exposition out of the way. I sampled about 50 pages of The Do-Over and it wasn’t the right book at the right time, especially since it read much more like contemporary or women’s fiction than romance and I was hoping for something swoony. I just picked up my copy of Will They or Won’t They from Ava Wilder’s event at Books are Magic this week and I’m looking forward to reading it soon.
Before we get into the six titles, I have to mention the latest books from two of my favorite authors: Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon (out now), which I’ve heard great things about from many trusted readers, and Knockout by Sarah MacLean (out August 22nd), which I’ve been waiting for ever since Imogen and Tommy first interacted in Bombshell. I’m also intrigued by You, With a View by Jessica Joyce (out July 11th), a buzzy road trip romance that promises enemies-to-lovers deliciousness. For this round-up, I wanted to highlight a few titles that aren’t everywhere yet, which I arbitrarily defined as having less than 200 ratings/reviews on Goodreads.
It Happened One Fight by Maureen Lee Lenker (July 11th)
I’m always on the lookout for historical romances set outside Regency/Victorian England and this one is set in the world of 1930’s Hollywood, which is one of my side obsessions. I’m getting distinct screwball comedy vibes from the plot, where two combative costars find themselves accidentally married and have to move to Reno for a divorce, and I’m so curious to see how Lenker captures the 1930’s atmosphere.
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review by Tehlor Kay Mejia (July 18th)
I’m intrigued by the unique setup of this one, where a spiraling music critic targets her teenage crush for a chance at career redemption and a spot of revenge, and by the early reviews that suggest it’s also a layered coming-of-age story with found family elements. I’ve read a lot of Hollywood romances but not that many set in the music world and I have a feeling a musically inclined romance could really work for me.
How to Tame a Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long (July 25th)
Julie Anne Long is one of my all time favorite historical romance authors and this is the latest installment in her Palace of Rogues series, which I would recommend with the highest degree of enthusiasm. (I would recommend reading in order.) I want to push her books into the hands of every reader who wants really top-notch sentence-level writing in their romance novels. Her prose is just gorgeous, her characters distinctive and lovingly rendered, and the found family she’s woven over the course of this series so endearing. This one has only one room in the middle of a storm, a central couple posing as husband and wife, and a whirlwind romance and I’m so ready for all of it.
Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman (August 8th)
This is a gender-swapped Cinderella retelling with a Jewish hero and heroine, set in London in the 1830’s. I hit the want to read button so fast I nearly sprained something the minute I heard about it. Over the last year or two, I’ve been looking for books with Jewish main characters that aren’t set during World War II and that focus on other periods of Jewish history, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how Grossman brings the London Jewish community life. The early reader reviews I’ve seen also promise electric chemistry, feminist themes, and a take-charge heroine.
Codename Charming by Lucy Parker (August 15th)
I have a deep and abiding love for Lucy Parker. She writes some of the best sunshine-grumpy romances around and her writing sparkles. Her latest features a stoic royal bodyguard and bubbly personal assistant and yes, there is fake dating. I think her books are the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud humor and main characters who connect on a deep emotional level and find them incredibly charming. An August weekend is already reserved for this book on my reading schedule.
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck (September 12th)
Maybe it’s the cover. Maybe it’s the promise of enemies to friends to lovers and exploration of modern dating. But I am getting the biggest When Harry Met Sally vibes from this book and When Harry Met Sally happens to be one of my top ten favorite movies of all time. I also love the fact that, in a reversal of traditional gender roles, the hero is the hopeless romantic and the heroine the one who’s terrified of commitment.
Currently reading: Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. It’s very well written and has a strong sense of place that I’m enjoying, but I do wish the three different POVs were more distinct, especially since they’re all written in first person.
What’s bringing me joy lately:
Asteroid City, the latest movie from Wes Anderson. There’s another of Anderson’s intricately staged worlds, a starry cast, and some moving meditations on grief.
Fresh summer fruit. The peaches and nectarines have finally arrived and I intend to eat as many as possible before summer is over.
My gigantic new lavender water bottle, which brings me an immense amount of satisfaction every time I heft it.