Friday 24 April 2020
Monday 13 April 2020
Anticipated Romance Releases of 2020
Hi All, it's been a while since I've made an anticipated releases post so I decided to put one together during this time while we are all stuck inside to maybe help you build your shopping list and TBR list. These are the titles of 2020 that I'm most excited about, and I'm so relieved that for some of these, the wait will be short! ;)
PUB DATE: May 15, 2020
PRE-ORDER: Kindle - Kobo
What do you do when the entire nation is on lockdown? If you’re an heiress to a billion-dollar fashion company, then you quarantine in a glamorous cabin and finish your final semester of NYU online. The best way to focus on her upcoming valedictorian honor is away from her family, classmates, and the paparazzi. Cameron St. James is ready to get out of the big city and head Upstate for seclusion, despite her parent’s pleas to stay home. What do you do when a pandemic is sweeping the world? If you’re barely making ends meet, then you isolate yourself in your best friend’s mountain cabin with breathtaking views and no neighbors for miles. It’s the perfect safe place away from three roommates who don’t take the life-threatening epidemic seriously. Elijah Ross is ready to work remotely and focus on his next big promotion, assuming he’ll still have a job after this. What happens when things don’t go as planned, and you’re stuck with the one person you dislike the most? You improvise and do whatever it takes to avoid each other, though it proves to be impossible. The cold evenings alone turn into movie and popcorn nights together by the fireplace. Days turn into weeks, and eventually, more than just a friendship blossoms. As the unknown haunts them, they lean on one another for comfort—until someone pops their safety bubble and threatens everything. The Two of Us is an enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend standalone romance set in the current affairs of history in the making. Though the character’s storyline is fiction, the virus is very real, and we’ve made sure to be sensitive on this topic.
PUB DATE: May 19, 2020
PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository
Miss Viola Astley is so painfully shy that she’s horrified by the mere idea of dancing with a stranger; her upcoming London debut feels like a nightmare. So she’s overjoyed to meet handsome, quiet vicar with no interest in polite society — but just when she catches his attention, her reputation is compromised by a duke. Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola, including marrying a woman whom he believes to be in love with another man. A vicar, no less. Devin knows he’s no saint, but he’s used to conquest, and he’s determined to win Viola’s heart. Viola has already said Yes to his proposal, but now he wants her unruly heart…and he won’t accept No for an answer.
PUB DATE: June 16, 2020
PRE-ORDER: Kindle - Kobo
I never planned on returning to Alabama, but circumstances brought me here after years of being gone. Though Lawton Ridge is my hometown, I was hesitant to go back because of her —my sister’s best friend. The last time we were together, she was eighteen, and I was a broken soldier transitioning to civilian life. Gemma wrote to me while I was overseas and we developed a bond I hadn’t anticipated. I crushed her heart the day I left, and it's something I’ve never forgotten. But now that her dad is my new boss, life just got way more complicated. Too sweet, too innocent, too good for a guy like me—I should walk away again. After serving five years in prison for something I didn’t do, I’m constantly on guard. Though I’ve taught people how to protect themselves in a boxing ring, no one can help prepare me for my next move. I’m about to enter the fight of my life and face the mafia princess who put me behind bars. She thinks I fear her and will stay away, but she has another thing coming. I plan to make her pay, but that means risking everything. I trust no one, but Gemma gradually breaks down my walls and exposes the pain I’ve hidden underneath. For her own sake, I should keep my distance, but it’s nearly impossible when I hear her sweet humming while I work and she slowly draws me back in. It’s a battle I didn’t train for, and one I’ll lose if I don’t keep my restraint—especially since she’s engaged to another man.
PUB DATE: June 23, 2020
PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository
Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom. When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse? Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf is secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism. Before long, he’s tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his... um, thighs. The easy lay Dani dreamed of is now more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint?
PUB DATE: June 30, 2020
PRE-ORDER: Chapters/Indigo - Amazon - Kindle - Kobo - Book Depository
Grace Condry has spent a lifetime running from her past. Betrayed as a child by her only love and raised on the streets, she now hides in plain sight as queen of London’s darkest corners. Grace has a sharp mind and a powerful right hook and has never met an enemy she could not best...until the man she once loved returns. Single-minded and ruthless, Ewan, Duke of Marwick, has spent a decade searching for the woman he never stopped loving. A long-ago gamble may have lost her forever, but Ewan will go to any lengths to win Grace back…and make her his duchess. Reconciliation is the last thing Grace desires. Unable to forgive the past, she vows to take her revenge. But revenge requires keeping Ewan close, and soon her enemy seems to be something else altogether—something she can’t resist, even as he threatens the world she's built, the life she's claimed…and the heart she swore he'd never steal again.
Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting
PUB DATE: August 11, 2020
Blaire Calloway has planned every Instagram-worthy moment of her cupcake and cocktails shop launch down to the tiniest detail. What she didn't plan on? Ronan Knight and his old-school sports bar next door opening on the very same day. He may be super swoony, but Blaire hasn't spent years obsessing over buttercream and bourbon to have him ruin her chance at success.From axe throwing (his place) to frosting contests (hers), Blaire and Ronan are constantly trying to one-up each other in a battle to win new customers. But with every clash, there's also an undeniable chemistry. When an even bigger threat to their business comes to town, they're forced to call a temporary time-out on their own war and work together. And the more time Blaire spends getting to know the real Ronan, the more she wonders if it's possible to have her cupcake and eat it too.
The Bride Bet by Tessa Dare
PUB DATE: August 25, 2020
How to lose a duke in ten years…without losing your heart. Once upon a time, two sworn enemies—the bookish daughter of a scholar and the devilish heir to a duke—made a pact: If they were both still single in ten years, they would marry each other. It was a joke, Nicola thought. A duchess? Her? But when the Duke of Westleigh returns a decade later, he’s serious. He needs an heir, so he’s holding her to their marriage bargain—diamond ring, lavish gown, engagement ball, and more. Nothing Nicola says can dissuade him. When she calls him arrogant, he praises her honesty. When she makes social stumbles, he catches her fall. And when she gets exasperated, the duke can’t seem to get enough. For reasons she can’t fathom, he claims that no other woman will do. He’s betting he can change her mind, with logic and passion. She’s betting she can change his mind, just by being herself. And as the clock ticks down to a wedding day, neither is counting on losing their heart.
Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne
PUB DATE: September 1, 2020
Pro baseball shortstop Carter Ramsey is about to be Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, but the only title that matters to him is out of reach: World Series MVP. Benched by a recent injury, Carter retreats to his hometown to recover. His ten-year class reunion and a potential reconciliation with the sweetheart he left behind could be perfect distractions. Until another old acquaintance throws Carter a curveball. Olive Dunn admits that her former high school science partner is still a handsome charmer. But she wasn’t swayed then, and she won’t be swayed now. Because Olive remembers Carter’s little shortcoming: he tends to bail the moment it suits him, without a backward glance. Best to keep her feelings strictly platonic while he’s in town. Except the entitled boy she knew is a changed man: solid, reflective, and generous. As they ease back in to their familiar friendship, things take a surprising turn, and Carter and Olive must decide if what they have is a passing flirtation or a real shot at love.
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
PUB DATE: September 22, 2020
Hair, makeup, clothing, decor... everything in Bethany Castle's world is organized, planned, and styled to perfection. Which is why the homes she designs for her family's real estate business are the most coveted in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She's on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve their dreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. Except her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously. When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way. As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters, trading barbs and biting banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. It's a labor of love, hate, and everything in between, and soon sparks are flying. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.
Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
PUB DATE: October 20, 2020
My love story all started with a letter. Only it wasn’t from the man I’d eventually fall in love with. It was from his daughter. A sweet little girl named Birdie Maxwell who’d written to the magazine that I worked for. You see, once a year, my employer fulfilled a few wishes for readers. Only that column didn’t start up again for months. So I fulfilled some of her wishes myself. It was harmless…so I thought. Until one day I took things too far. While anonymously granting yet another of Birdie’s wishes, I got a look at her father. Her devastatingly handsome, single dad father. I should have stopped playing fairy godmother then. I should have left well enough alone. But I just couldn’t help myself. I had a connection to this girl. One that had me acting irrationally. Like showing up on their doorstep.
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
PUB DATE: October 27, 2020
Alexis Carlisle and her cat café, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a victim of a celebrity chef’s sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they’re sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts—her best friend, Noah Logan. Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert. Now he only uses his old skills for the right cause. But Noah’s got a secret: He’s madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush. Noah’s pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved “manuals” to help him go from bud to boyfriend. But he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he’s ever had.
What titles are you most excited for this year? Let me know in the comments below!
Wednesday 8 April 2020
Batch Reviews #20
Publishing Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Harpercollins
Pages: 384
My overall thoughts and review: one of my co-workers raved about this book and I was so excited to finally pick it up. It did not disappoint and it definitely makes me want to check out Hibbert's older books as I wait for the second book in this series. This story follows Chloe Brown, who is chronically ill. She has near-death experience and finds that she needs to get her life in order. She compiles a list of things that will help her "get a life" and the items include things like enjoy a drunken night out, motorcycle rides, have meaningless sex, go camping, and more. She starts this journey by moving into a new apartment, and there she finds herself in a bit of a hate but attracted tension with the handyman, Red. They find themselves slowly connecting on the basis of Red helping her with her list, and Chloe helping him with his website. We learn more about Red's past and why an artist/painter is hiding away as a handyman instead of pursuing his art life. I really loved their relationship because both came with some serious baggage, and I loved that they were able to work out what they were comfortable with and what they needed from the other person. I loved the versions of themselves that the other brought out. Red is seriously the sweetest, but I also loved his teasing playful side. Chloe too is so endearing, but also so vulnerable. I absolutely loved this read and I don't want to say too much more because it's really something you need to experience for yourself! So get out there, and get this book, reader!
Available for purchase at:
Chapters/Indigo, Amazon, Kindle, and Book Depository
Publishing Date: January 14, 2020
Publisher: Harpercollins
Pages: 352
My overall thoughts and review: I read the first book in this series last year, and I absolutely loved it! I was really looking forward to this one because we got to see snippets of Rosie in Fix Her Up, but also I just wanted more of Travis and Georgie. I'm pleased to say that Bailey delivered on all fronts! The extra Travis and Georgie moments were soooo sweet as they were planning their upcoming wedding. If you thought you swooned last book with Travis Ford, well brace yourself. He pops up a handful of times and will swooon you away. Anyways, back to the main couple of this book. Rosie and Dom. They have been together forever since highschool, but lately, Rosie feels that their relationship has just dwindled. They don't talk, and besides a lustful Tuesday evening, there isn't much holding their relationship together. Rosie decides once and for all to leave, but Dom doesn't take that too well. She even throws hippie couples therapy at him, and he is game. He will do anything to prove to his wife that he loves her and he wants the marriage to work. I can't imagine marriage therapy is an easy thing, and you really see both coming to terms with their own roles in the breakdown of their marriage and how they need to acknowledge the needs and desires of the other person. Dom is incredibly defensive, and even in therapy when Rosie recognizes her own faults, he always defends her. He is quite sweet, but he also doesn't believe recognition is needed, because he's doing what he should. I liked seeing him grow in this book and just also show what he wanted out of the marriage. You get to see them fall in love again, but also fall for the current and new versions of themselves. Also, their sexual chemistry was off the charts, seriously!! All in all, another decent read from Bailey. Georgie and Travis are my favorite forever though. I just love this little community that Bailey has put together, and I'm so excited for the next book in the series (Bethany and Wes' story)!
Available for purchase at:
Chapters/Indigo, Amazon, Kindle, and Book Depository
Publishing Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Pages: 318
My overall thoughts and review: I've been reading RVD books for a while now, and I'm a big fan of the duologies that she's been writing. When I first read the premise for this one, I was a bit hesitant because it reminded me of soap operas, but I went into it with an open mind, and who doesn't love a bit of dramatics? There are two twin brothers, Julian and Bridge, one gets in a bad car accident and is asleep in a coma, but the world has to go on, and the estranged twin brother is forced to impersonate his brother while he heals. That means taking over his position at work, becoming the company's CEO, but that also means pretending he is who he says he is with his brother's fiance. Julian and Izzy were already rocky to begin with, and when Bridge comes in as Julian, he has to try and maintain that he is 'Julian' but he is also drawn to Izzy, and wants to make up for his brother's mistakes. I felt horribly torn while reading this. On one hand, I really wanted Bridge to be happy and get the girl, but on the other hand, I also wanted Julian to be able to redeem himself. Ultimately, it came down to Izzy's happiness, and what she needed. I did enjoy seeing them all come to terms with the situation, and how this situation brought to light family relationships that needed mending, and getting rid of ones that were toxic. While it didn't fully resolve the brothers relationship, I look forward to the next book since it does follow Julian. All in all, it was a decent read that spoke a lot to relationships that can feel like burdens and how you can feel trapped, but it also spoke about finding yourself again. I really liked that RVD touched on how relationships change all the time, and to want to capture something from the past or the very beginning is quite hard, because you aren't willing to accept the present. Although it had a comatose brother and an evil father, RVD was able to write a heartwarming blossoming relationship, and highlight a lot of great take aways. Def recommend, and I am totally starting Julian's book next!
Available for purchase at:
Chapters/Indigo, Amazon, Kindle, and Book Depository
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for consideration/review. All opinions are my own.
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