Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Erica Ridley’s A Waltz on the Wild Side, which releases on August 26th 2025.

Advice columnist Miss Vivian Henry hates how the Wild Wynchesters flaunt so many privileges ordinary people could never emulate. But when her beloved cousin goes missing and the authorities shrug, Viv has no choice but to beg for help from the vigilantes she despises.

Aspiring poet Jacob Wynchester prefers animals to people. He’d rather stay behind the safety of a quill than interact with prickly clients. But when he’s appointed lead investigator, Jacob finds he admires Vivian’s resourcefulness and intelligence—including the sharp wit he must parry. As they team up to rescue her kidnapped cousin, they discover just how compatible they are.

Together, they must not only save the day, but also decide how far they’re willing to go to be who they really are. And determine whether their partnership is a mistake… or the missing piece that completes them.

Chapter 1

Whilst Miss Vivian Henry’s mind was busy plotting how best to steal the Crown Jewels, she fried a pan of bubble and squeak with her left hand, pulled down cups and saucers with her right hand, knocked the silverware drawer shut with her left hip, and kicked her cousin’s round leather football out of the kitchen with a well-practiced swing of her right boot.

In other words, it was an utterly ordinary Sunday.

“Breakfast is ready,” Viv yelled as she set the table.

“Coming!” came her cousin’s muffled voice through the thin walls. “Have you seen my daggers?”

“On the mantel, between your faux spectacles and the pile of rope,” she called back, refraining from additional comment.

The long-running jest that Viv was the only one who learned anything from Quentin’s special-interest tutors had stopped being funny for both of them. Perhaps today was the day her cousin would finally practice. She hoped he didn’t hurt himself.

“Aha!” came Quentin’s triumphant shout. “Found you.”

Someone brown, furry, and impatient darted beneath Viv’s skirts and between her legs.

“Not now, Rufus, you roly-poly glutton,” Viv scolded him as she served bubble and squeak onto two porcelain plates. It wasn’t how she’d broken her fast when she lived in Demerara, but it would do. Even Rufus thought it smelled tasty. She rubbed his furry head with her toe. “Sorry, sugar. You must wait until supper for more.”

Quentin darted into the room. He flung his arms wide with dramatic flair. “What do you think?”

Viv kicked a chair in his direction as she poured the tea. “What the devil is in your hair?”

“Chalk,” he answered happily. “It’s to make me look older.”

“It makes you look ridiculous. Do you know how long it took me to set all those twists in your hair just so?”

“Hours,” he replied with feeling. “I was there.”

“Then why would you spoil all of my effort with powdered chalk?”

“I’m Godfather Wynchester today,” he explained. “The white hair is to make me look distinguished.”

Quentin looked like an eighteen-year-old itinerant with powdered sugar in his curly black twists and inexpertly drawn “wrinkles” on his golden-brown forehead. Nonetheless, Viv knew from experience that if she voiced such observations, she would be the one tasked with improving the disguise. This morning, she simply had no time to spare.

“Eat,” she commanded her cousin. “Grandfather Wynchester can’t save the day if he passes out from malnutrition.”

“Godfather,” Quentin corrected her with his mouth full. “You could be Grandmother Wynchester.”

“I’m ten years older than you, not fifty.” Though sometimes eight-and-twenty did feel like a lifetime.

Her young cousin pointed to his head. “Try chalk dust.”

“Try again. I refuse to have anything to do with that family. As should you. Won’t you please let the Wynchesters perform their own skullduggery?”

Quentin flashed hurt eyes at her. “I’ve told you a hundred times; my secret club and I have sworn a solemn oath to help them.”

And Viv had pointed out a hundred times that the real Wynchesters had no idea Quentin and his costumed friends existed. Not that inconvenient facts had ever stopped her cousin from spending his days in search of adventure.

“Please remember to say ‘friends’ not ‘secret club,’” she reminded him. “The newest Seditious Meetings Act explicitly forbids secret societies. No solemn oath will save you from the noose.”

“We’re being careful,” he promised her. “That’s why we use false names and disguises, just like the Wynchesters.”

“That’s not enough protection. Do you have a powerful duke for a brother-in-law, like the Wynchesters? Or access to their lawyers and endless piles of gold?”

Quentin shoved eggs into his mouth rather than respond.

As Viv turned back to the sink, Rufus burrowed between her skirts again. She hiked her hem up to her shins. “Summon your creature. He’s in my way.”

“Maybe he wants you to sit down, too. Eat something. You’re always doing a thousand things at once.”

“If I don’t do them all, who will?” she pointed out.

But Viv’s belly chose that moment to let out a lusty growl. In surrender, she set the pans she was scouring aside and took her seat at the breakfast table.

Rufus immediately tried and failed to hop up into her lap.

“By all that’s holy, Quentin, if you do not call your creature away from me—”

“He’s not mine anymore and you know it. Anyone can see he’s adopted you. You’re his pet now.”

“Did I ask to be anyone’s pet?” She nudged the toast and blackberry preserves toward her cousin.

“Well, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about the matter,” Quentin said peevishly. “Rufus hates me, just like Sally does.”

“You can’t keep acquiring animals and pawning them off on me,” Viv began.

“I’ll raise your pin money,” he interrupted, chewing with his mouth open. “Sally feeds herself anyway. I’m too busy fighting crimes.”

As far as Viv was concerned, the worst crime was the horror Quentin had committed against his hair. She would be the one spending her evening washing and restyling it instead of penning Act Two of her play, in which her villain du jour made an attempt upon the Crown Jewels.

Perhaps if she could finish this bloody script, she could earn enough income not to need to siphon any pin money from her younger cousin’s limited quarterly trust.

“Oof.” Quentin slumped backward in his seat and patted his nonexistent belly. “That was good.”

Viv scooped up the dishes and headed for the sink. “Can you see if the newspaper has arrived?”

He brightened. “Perhaps there are more articles about the Wynchesters!”

“What is left to say about them? Six orphans adopted by a rich foreign baron, who had nothing better to do than spoil them rotten—”

“—and instill lifelong values of empathy and philanthropy. He gave them a purpose in life: helping those who have nowhere else to turn. Of course they’re mentioned in every newspaper! Everyone loves to read about the powerless beating the powerful, and the oppressed triumphing over their oppressors.”

Viv couldn’t argue with the last part. Many of her plays featured unlikely protagonists rising out of hopeless circumstances. She swung a heavy pot filled with simmering water from the stove to the sink, so she could soak the soiled dishes and scour them clean.

Her cousin soon returned with the newspaper and a stack of correspondence.

“More post than usual today,” Quentin said cheerily, then waggled his eyebrows. “Are you receiving love letters from your adoring fans?”

“I’m not known for my sweet and warm personality. Lately, it’s been mostly comedians and a few nutcakes wanting help with their crimes. No one adores me but you.”

“Someone out there will appreciate your sharp edges,” Quentin assured her. “And isn’t your reputation the newspaper’s fault, anyway? They specifically asked you to be harsh and direct, because it generates bigger reactions from subscribers.”

“They didn’t have to ask,” she said dryly. “Plain-spoken and brutally honest is the only way I know how to be.”

This was also one of the many reasons why a suitor was not in Viv’s foreseeable future. Her minimum requirements were high. If a man did not meet her qualifications, she would not waste either of their time with a prolonged courtship. Telling him he didn’t suit would be the first words out of her mouth.

Which unfortunately meant, she didn’t meet the average gentleman’s minimum requirements, either.

It didn’t matter. Viv didn’t want average. She expected more from a partner, and from herself. Besides, she was far too busy managing her own affairs to worry about an alleged phenomenon as unlikely as true love.

Quentin glanced up from the newspaper with a sour expression. “Only a tiny little paragraph on the front page today. What a travesty. Their successes are so inspiring.”

Viv said gently, “I admire your big heart, and your friends’ unflagging compassion, but living the same lives as the rich and well-connected isn’t an attainable goal.”

“They’re role models,” Quentin said stubbornly. “And they’re mostly not aristocrats. Most started out poor. Several are Black, like us, or have other characteristics that society spurns. But they made a name and a place for themselves anyway! They’re respected. They have value.”

That was his usual response to any criticism against his idols, but something was different today. There was an unusual tenseness in his shoulders. A vein she’d never seen before pulsed at his temple. As if whatever they were talking about was no longer just about the Wynchesters.

“I respect you,” she added hastily. “You have value.”

Exasperation flickered in his eyes. “We’re not talking about you and me.”

Weren’t they? Then what? Viv prided herself on always knowing exactly what was going on around her. Quentin had never kept anything from her before—or even possessed any secrets to keep. When dissatisfied, her well-meaning cousin was no stranger to rash actions. For the first time in her life, she hoped she was reading someone wrong.

He was also a good lad, she reminded herself. Whatever he was not yet ready to confide wouldn’t turn out to be anything major. There was no sense getting worked up over nothing. Especially when there were real dangers afoot.

“The Wynchester family criminally disregards the auxiliary effects of their privilege,” she said. “They not only instill the false belief that it’s easy to be just like them, but also perpetuate an impossible standard for the less privileged. The upper classes can point at them and say, ‘They came from humble origins and became educated and wealthy. If the lower classes are poor and disadvantaged, it’s their own lazy fault, and not a problem we need to address.’”

Quentin crossed his arms. “I don’t care about the upper classes. The world needs more Wynchesters.”

He had never known a world without the infamous family. Their portentous group adoption had taken place four years before his birth. By the time her young cousin had learned to read, their daring exploits were already in every scandal paper. He never questioned their fame, or what they did with it, because he’d never known anything different.

Viv knew. And like it or not, she’d keep trying to make him see.

“Your wild Wynchesters may never suffer consequences, but it doesn’t work like that for you and me. Their successes don’t mitigate our barriers. You may think they’re heroes, but what I see are smug, rich brats who believe laws apply to everyone but them.”

Quentin let out a groan. “That’s how they help their clients. You write plays for a living, don’t you? Haven’t you ever heard of Robin Hood?”

Viv did not in fact write plays for a living. Despite his frustration with her, Quentin was being very charitable with that characterization. Viv wrote a thousand words without fail, every single day, but had yet to sell a single script.

“All I’m saying…” She took a deep breath and stopped herself from making the situation worse.

From the time her younger cousin was a child, she’d been his companion, then his guardian. Though he did not yet have his majority, Quentin was grown now. She had better start treating him like it, if he was to learn how to be his own man.

Even if old habits were hard to break, and past nightmares impossible to shake.

As an olive branch, she jabbed a soapy finger at the newspaper. “Just read me the important bits.”

His posture relaxed. “Your column?”

“No, I already know what I wrote. What’s on the front page?”

He scanned the lines while she scrubbed. “The voices agitating for voting reform have dwindled to nothing. Even the group of ladies over in Bath who think all women should have the vote have ceased making noise.”

“Can you blame them?” she asked. “The Peterloo Massacre was just a few months ago. After their own government sent armed soldiers to attack peaceful protesters hoping for voting reform, it’s more dangerous than ever to stick your neck out unnecessarily.”

He turned a page. “Do you think it’ll never happen?”

“Hard to say. Thirty years ago in Sierra Leone all heads of household voted—even unmarried African women, like me. That’s a British colony. Why not here?”

“Because England doesn’t even give all men the right to vote.” Quentin snorted at something in the paper. “Just obnoxious aristocrats, like these buffoons.”

“Which ones are the buffoons today?”

“The Marquess of Leisterdale and his heir, the Earl of Uppington. It seems they settled everyone’s tabs at their club last night and are now the favorites of the ton. The pair were out celebrating Uppington’s recent return from spending several months overseeing their Caribbean holdings. Leisterdale is quoted as saying, ‘Owning a sugar plantation is like having access to an endless pot of gold.’”

“Is that right?” Viv’s stomach twisted. She knew exactly what it was like to be a Black woman tethered to some white aristocrat’s sugar plantation. “Where in the Caribbean?”

“Demerara. Where you were kept.” His fingers shook, rattling the paper. “These men weren’t the ones who…”

Viv’s hands stilled in the dishwater. “No.”

“Did…my mother…” He swallowed audibly.

Viv closed her eyes and fought the tidal wave of memories. “Not with them.”

Quentin was quiet for a long moment, then cleared his throat. “It says here, the marquess’s heir—Lord Uppington—has been boasting that he keeps the highest-paid mistress in London.”

“How does he know, if he just got here? Are other lords required to submit their receipts to him?”

“He’s had her on the line for years, apparently. Mistresses count on gifts as much as wages, and since Uppington is gone so often, he can’t be showering her with jewelry, so he pays her an exorbitant stipend instead.”

“I’ll wager the mistresses he keeps in Demerara don’t see a bloody penny,” Viv muttered.

Quentin glanced up sharply. “What?”

“Nothing. Keep reading. I’m almost done washing up.”

“The rest of the news is boring. Some lady snubbed some lord at Almack’s. The Prince Regent is remodeling one of his palaces yet again. And…oh, this is interesting. A politician in the House of Commons was burgled last night.”

“Why is that so interesting? What did they steal?”

“He refuses to say, which is intriguing enough. But apparently, the robbery involved balloons, shepherd’s pie, and a whooper swan. What in the world is a whooper swan?”

Viv stopped cleaning dishes. She turned around slowly, wiping her hands on her apron. “Anas cygnus, as described by famed zoologist Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 tome on natural systems. You’re certain the robbery utilized those specific items? Balloons, shepherd’s pie, whooper swan?”

“Mad, isn’t it? Who would even come up with something like that?”

Viv would have. And did. Last week she’d finished a comedic play in which the malefactors stole an ancient scroll in just that manner. But it hadn’t fully been her idea.

Instead of the usual domestic concerns, one of the more preposterous letters sent to her daily ask-me-anything advice column had enquired how to steal a treasure map from an aristocratic Mayfair town house. Viv never responded to such ludicrous queries, but she did use their absurd contents as fodder for future manuscripts.

Well, bollocks. Now theater managers would think she’d copied the idea from the real-life case, rather than believe her imagination had come up with these twists on its own.

Except…Had she?

“Gah.” Viv slumped her hips against the wet sink. “Now I’ll never be able to sell that play.”

Sometimes unique ideas seemed to float in the air, occurring to multiple people at once. These unlikely crimes were too similar to be a coincidence.

Perhaps she and the thief had both been inspired by the same source material. Or perhaps what had happened was—

“You wrote about a robbery?” Her cousin reached for Viv’s notebook on the table.

“Quentin, no!” She tried to snatch her journal out of the way, but she was too late. A perfect blackberry-preserves-stained thumbprint now marred the bookmarked page she had been revising. “How many times do I have to ask you to wash your hands before touching my things?”

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. Quentin rose from his chair and trudged over to the sink, where the wet bar of soap shot from his hands and nearly brained Viv in the eye.

She caught it with her left hand seconds before impact and handed it back in silence.

When his hands were clean, Quentin consulted his pocket watch. “I must hurry. The club is waiting on me. Don’t worry, I already collected the new advice column responses from the table. Anything else you need me to post for you whilst I’m out?”

“That’ll do.” She glanced toward tall stacks containing copies of the play she’d finished the month before. “I have to pen the perfect letters to accompany my latest script.”

“You’re absolutely brilliant, cousin.” Quentin seemed his sunny self again. Perhaps her overactive imagination had exaggerated the earlier tension. “Someone will recognize your genius soon.”

“I certainly hope so,” she muttered, dipping her hands back beneath the sudsy water. “I’m getting tired of—ow!”

His eyes went wild with panic. “What? What happened?”

“Nothing.” She held up her finger, upon which a single bright red bubble of blood protruded. “Nicked myself on the paring knife.”

Quentin’s eyes went glassy and his knees buckled.

Viv wiped the blood on her apron and dashed forward just in time to catch him. “You haven’t changed a bit. What kind of would-be Wynchester faints at the sight of blood?”

“Can’t let anything happen to you,” he mumbled. “Don’t scare me.”

“I’m fit as a fiddle,” she assured him as she settled him back on his feet. “Have fun, and don’t break any laws. The Wynchesters may live outside of society’s rules, but people like us cannot. Please be safe. And come back home in time for dinner.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Quentin kissed her cheek. “I’m beating you at cards afterward.”

She snorted. “That would be an improbable twist, wouldn’t it.”

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘A Waltz on the Wild Side’ by Erica Ridley appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Erica! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi! I live in tropical Costa Rica, and when I’m not reading or writing, I’m most likely traveling or eating. Bonus points for any activity that involves all three of my faves: books, food, and new places! I do spend a lot of time in front of a screen, but I also love sunshine and going on walks, which I try to do every day.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I actually cannot remember a time when I didn’t love to read! I was probably 5 or 6 when I first started writing my own stories, and illustrating them with colored pencils. (Luckily for everyone involved, I no longer attempt to draw what I write.) My mother was a teacher and my grandmother a librarian, so I was always around books. In fact, to punish me, my parents would take my books away! Nothing could have been more effective. I would fill spiral notebooks with story after story until my hands were calloused from gripping pencils for hours on end. Reading and writing were some of the best parts of my childhood.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
• The one that made you want to become an author: Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Your latest novel, The Protégée, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Revenge, Fashion, Family, Romance, Murder

What can readers expect?

Twists and turns and plenty of vengeance as seamstress Angélique avenges her family’s deaths, protects her younger sister, and does whatever it takes to rise from poverty to become a sought-after fashion designer for the Paris elite.

Where did the inspiration for The Protégée come from?

The original spark came from Cruella (ruthless, high fashion) and Dexter (“good guy serial killer” archetype). Angélique’s inciting incident is also reminiscent of The Punisher / John Wick, in that is the loss of a loved one and the casual or even gleeful cruelty of the villains that puts her on a path to revenge. Set against the haute couture backdrop of fashionable mid-1800s France, in the City of Light.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I loved writing Angélique—she is so goal-oriented and determined, and she loves her sister Elodie (another fab character to write!) with all her heart. The comeuppance scenes were always very fun to write, as were the interactions between the two sisters, ranging from heartwarming to contentious to poignant. Landmarks and historical activities in Paris are always fun. I also really enjoyed exploring her burgeoning romance with Domingo Salazar, as well as the changing dynamic with Angélique’s mentor, Madame Violette.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Although I’ve written over sixty books, until now, they’ve all been for the adult market. This is my Young Adult debut. I wasn’t always certain if I was going too far—or not far enough—and in those moments I relied on the wisdom of my editor, Bria Ragan, to ensure the story would match the intended audience.

What’s next for you?

My second YA horror, INSATIABLE, releases next year! This was also a blast to write, featuring another morally gray protagonist, this time in an isolated boarding school on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Catriona goes from powerless to powerful overnight—but it comes at a steep cost, for herself and others. Girl power, female friendship, sexism, monsters, murder… and a lot of fun!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

Books I’ve enjoyed recently include Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, The Hike by Lucy Clarke, One Of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole and The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. My to-be-read list is longer than I can ever finish!

Will you be picking up The Protégée? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Erica Ridley, Author of ‘The Protégée’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover a few of our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be picking up any of them!

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
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Fake dating gets a magical twist in this enchanting queer romantic comedy where a witch worries that the real feelings brewing between her and her crush were sparked by an accidental love potion, and the only way out of the disastrous spell is a healthy dose of the truth–drink up, witches.

The Long Game by Elena Armas
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A disgraced soccer exec reluctantly enlists the help of a retired soccer star in coaching a children’s team in this smalltown love story in the vein of Ted Lasso and It Happened One Summer —from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception.

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
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It’s hard to escape your ex when you’re working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance.

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles
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Bridgerton goes Gothic in this sweeping Regency romance by celebrated author KJ Charles.

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
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A feelgood, sunshine-filled, friends-to-lovers romcom, Love Me Do is a dreamy summer love story, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.

Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez
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Gillian Armstead-Bancroft—Pride of the East Side and once-perfect bruja, wife, and mother—is going to spend her summer getting good at being bad.

A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee
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An emotionally powerful romance novel about two people finding love after struggling with addiction–ultimately discovering what it means to be completely and unapologetically themselves.

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
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A witchy rom-com from New York Times bestseller Meg Cabot about a plus size witch who must team up with a handsome stranger to help protect her village from an otherworldly force–but will she be able to protect her heart?

My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
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The riotous Wynchester family has taken on a new case to expose a forger, but the prime suspect isn’t at all what he seems in this captivating Regency romp from a New York Times bestselling author.

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
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Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher
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When a relationship therapist gets dumped right before her new dating handbook hits shelves, she fake dates to save face in this spicy romantic comedy.

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score returns to spicy-sweet Knockemout, Virginia with Lucian and Sloane’s story.

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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From Jennifer L. Armentrout, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Blood and Ash, comes the beginning of a searing fantasy romance series for adults, Fall of Ruin and Wrath.

The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy
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A delightful enemies-to-lovers holiday rom com set in the quaint mountain town of Maple Falls, Colorado, about a city girl and a small-town boy who compete in the town’s annual holiday games in order to win the right price for a charming, local Christmas shop, perfect for fans of The Hating Game and The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon
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Featuring family drama, a juicy romance subplot, and some publishing behind-the-scenes, Main Character Energy is ultimately like getting a pep talk from your best friends

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
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Juggling newfound witchy powers, a house full of ghosts, and verbal battles with the handsome local librarian is almost too much for a new witch to manage. A new witch with a coven, however, can get so much more done…

Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch
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Brain meets Beauty in this sparkling, fresh take on the classic Bringing Up Baby – if Jane Austen had written it! A romantic comedy with a dash of chaos featuring the most ill-behaved poodle in Regency London, by New York Times bestseller Suzanne Enoch.

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
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From bookfluencer and host of the BAD ON PAPER podcast, a riotous holiday rom-com about four friends in NYC who hold onto their unconventional Christmas tradition even when their paths diverge—but the changes they fear might be exactly what they need…

Along Came Holly by Codi Hall
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Holly Winters is not about to let her grumpy neighbor Declan steal her holiday joy…even if he does look rather handsome under the mistletoe.

Thank You For Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz
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A chemistry-filled childhood friends to enemies to lovers debut romance about two people forced to confront their pasts to save both their relationship and careers.

Fling by Joseph Murray
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At once heartfelt and hilarious, this story of a fateful—and faithful—affair reminds us that sometimes, what we’re looking for might just be closer than we think . . . 

Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
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In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas house were made famous by Sleighbells under Starlight, a romantic holiday movie. Fifty years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
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A commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic clash over and over again—until heartbreak and unexpected chemistry bring them together in this clever enemies-to-friends-to-lovers debut romance.

The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser
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An irresistible friends-to-lovers novel of resilience, hope, and new beginnings from the author of The Bookshop of Second Chances.

What September romance reads are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post September 2023 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you thought the first half of 2023 had some swoonworthy, unputdownable romances in store, you ain’t seen nothing yet. July to December is levelling up the romance game even more and we’ve got our eyes on all of them! Check out the hottest contenders for romance of the year below and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them!

Looking for our January to June releases? Check them out here.

JULY

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
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From New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center comes Hello, Stranger, a novel about finding love, confronting a haunting past, and figuring out what, and who, really matters…

Kiss Me, Mi Amor by Alana Quintana Albertson
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It turns out that a fake relationship is the perfect recipe for a love that sizzles hotter than Santa Barbara’s spiciest salsa—when it’s between enemies.…

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin
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Internationally bestselling author Sophie Irwin brings us another fresh, witty take on a romantic escape led by a deeply lovable heroine determined to start living on her own terms

You, With A View by Jessica Joyce
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Two high school enemies must reunite for a road trip inspired by their grandparents’ broken engagement in this electric debut romance.

To Have and To Heist by Sara Desai
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To exonerate her best friend, one woman must mastermind a jewelry heist during the wedding of the season in this hilarious romantic-comedy caper from the author of The Dating Plan.

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
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An ambitious wedding planner must work with her grumpy florist ex, whose heart she broke, on the most high-profile wedding of her career, in this spicy and emotional romance from popular fanfic author Julie Soto.

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
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From Cathy Yardley, author of Love, Comment, Subscribe, comes an emotional rom-com about two middle-aged gamers who grow their online connection into an IRL love story.

The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre
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From New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre comes the magical town of St. Claire, where anything is possible…

The Dane of My Existence by Jessica Martin
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When the history and character of her Shakespeare-obsessed hometown is threatened, a powerhouse lawyer goes toe to toe with a commercial developer in a hilarious rom-com from the author of For the Love of the Bard.

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy
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AUGUST

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
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Aphrodite has never flinched at getting her perfectly manicured hands dirty, and she’s not about to start now—even if that means marrying Olympus’s enemy number one, the new Hephaestus…leaving a trail of broken hearts in their cruel wake.

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
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In this charming romantic comedy, a hometown hero comes to the rescue of a chef unexpectedly left to care for three little girls—who may end up saving him too.

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
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In the hilarious follow-up to the breakout rom-com Dating Dr. Dil, Nisha Sharma adds shakkar and mirch to Shakespeare’s iconic comedy Much Ado About Nothing for one sweet and spicy love story.

The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
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Perfect for fans of Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19, The Roommate Pact follows Claire as she nurses her friend and firefighter Graham back from an injury – and their slippery slope from friends with a FWB pact to possibly something more.

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
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A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice, Kiss the Girl is the highly anticipated third installment in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection.

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
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Fans of Ali Hazelwood, Lana Harper, and Jessica Clare will devour this madcap paranormal romance, replete with fan-favorite tropes like roommates-to-lovers, force proximity, and the hilarious added bonus of a romance between a mortal from the 21^st century and a centuries-old vampire who knows nothing of the modern world.

New Adult by Timothy Janovsky
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Nolan Baker longs to be “thirty, flirty and thriving” in this charmingly quirky LGBTQIA+ romance that’s one part 13 Going on 30 and one part One Last Stop.

Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl
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Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Beth O’Leary, in this bright, laugh-out-loud rom-com, the grind of the millennial struggle is a lot more fun when you add falling in love to the mix.

Curves for Days by Laura Moher
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Readers of Olivia Dade and Lucy Score will love this sexy Southern curvy girl romance which follows Rose Barnes, a curvy heroine with an infectious spirit, as she crosses paths with Angus Drummond, a gruff yet undeniably charming contractor.

The Love Plot by Samantha Young
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There’s a magnetic attraction when a happy-go-lucky gig worker agrees to a fake relationship with a rich, uptight New Yorker in this steamy romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

The Witch Is Back by Sophie H. Morgan
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Love is a hex of a thing. Former childhood sweethearts fake a relationship in this charming, witchy romcom.

With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson
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She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn’t on it–yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.

SEPTEMBER

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
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Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles
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Bridgerton goes Gothic in this sweeping Regency romance by celebrated author KJ Charles.

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
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It’s hard to escape your ex when you’re working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance.

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
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A feelgood, sunshine-filled, friends-to-lovers romcom, Love Me Do is a dreamy summer love story, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
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A witchy rom-com from New York Times bestseller Meg Cabot about a plus size witch who must team up with a handsome stranger to help protect her village from an otherworldly force–but will she be able to protect her heart?

A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee
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An emotionally powerful romance novel about two people finding love after struggling with addiction–ultimately discovering what it means to be completely and unapologetically themselves.

Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez
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Gillian Armstead-Bancroft—Pride of the East Side and once-perfect bruja, wife, and mother—is going to spend her summer getting good at being bad.

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
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A sapphic rivals to lovers rom com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own, where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup.

My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
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The riotous Wynchester family has taken on a new case to expose a forger, but the prime suspect isn’t at all what he seems in this captivating Regency romp from a New York Times bestselling author.

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
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Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher
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When a relationship therapist gets dumped right before her new dating handbook hits shelves, she fake dates to save face in this spicy romantic comedy.

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score returns to spicy-sweet Knockemout, Virginia with Lucian and Sloane’s story.

OCTOBER

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
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Following the success of A Merry Little Meet Cute, a new holiday rom-com cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone–about an actress and a perpetually single former boy-band member reunited as costars on a steamy holiday film.

Better Hate than Never by Chloe Liese
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Childhood enemies discover the fine line between love and loathing in this heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Friends Don’t Fall in Love by Erin Hahn
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Erin Hahn’s Friends Don’t Fall in Love is about long-time friends, taking chances, and finding out that, sometimes, your perfect person was right there in your corner all along.

A Dish Best Served Hot: A Novel by Natalie Caña
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Santiago “Saint” Vega gets a second shot at love with Lola León, but when duty to his family forces him to do something she’ll never forgive, will everything he’s built come crumbling down?  

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore
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Love Interest is Clare Gilmore’s sparkling debut, a co-worker enemies-to-lovers rom-com that proves falling in love is the risk and the reward.

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg
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Filled with the romance and angst that defines the years you come to know yourself, with a shifting timeline covering two decades and ratcheting up the tension, Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is a novel of second chances and finding your own way.

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake
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A fake relationship after a horrible one-night stand is anything but an act in this witty and heartfelt new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake.

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey delivers a sexy, hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert…

Sweeten the Deal by Katie Shepard
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She’s lonely, rich, and ten years too young for him—but she’s also his “sugar daddy,” and they couldn’t have less in common. Opposites attract in this charming new romance by Katie Shepard.

The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin
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A talented genetic analyst and a detective who’s haunted by an elusive cold case team up in the new standalone romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella
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Sparks fly in this delightful novel about two burned out professionals who meet at a ramshackle resort on the British seaside—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Party Crasher.

The Takedown by Carlie Walker
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An undercover CIA agent is sent home to investigate her sister’s criminal fiancé but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with his bodyguard along the way in this sexy romantic comedy.

NOVEMBER

Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert
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Sail the magical high seas with this first book in a new sexy fantasy romance series from Katee Robert, the New York Times bestselling author of the TikTok smash-hit Neon Gods.

Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
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Sparks fly when an occult expert and a disgraced archeologist become enemies-with-benefits in this steamy romance from “go-to author” Rosie Danan (The New York Times Book Review).

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
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Perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a touch of whimsy, like 13 Going on 30 and Freaky Friday, and authors like Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle, this funny and heartfelt novel follows a downtrodden twenty-six-year-old as she magically wakes up to the life she’s always wanted, but is it really a dream come true?

Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath
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Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin
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Two rival candidates for a homeowner’s association presidency are about to find out how dirty suburbanites fight in this steamy new romantic comedy from Alexa Martin.

A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley
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Calladia Cunnington curses the day she met Astaroth the demon, but when he shows up memoryless, why does she find him so helpless . . . and sort of hot?

The Rom Con by Devon Daniels
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A modern battle of the sexes about a journalist who hatches an elaborate plan to take down her industry adversary, from the author of Meet You in the Middle.

Fancy Meeting You Here by Julie Tieu
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 Opposites attract when an always-the-bridesmaid florist and a grumpy caterer mix business with pleasure in this swoony romantic comedy in the vein of 27 Dresses from Julie Tieu, author of The Donut Trap and Circling Back to You.

Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa
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A hilarious and spicy romance about romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret going viral: she’s never been in love. Though her debut novel made readers swoon, Sophie’s having trouble getting her new characters to happily-ever-after. To overcome her writer’s block, she’ll reconnect with her exes to figure out what went wrong with the help of her best friend’s brother/reclusive landlord/teen heartthrob and his social media skills. 

Mom Com by Adriana Mather
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From New York Times bestselling author Adriana Mather comes a sweet new romcom about old friends and second chances.

For Never & Always by Helena Greer
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One surprise inheritance, two best friends (now bitter exes), and three months to prove he loves her, forever and always , in this swoony second-chance romance for fans of Alexandria Bellefleur and Ashley Herring Blake.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
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In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

DECEMBER

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
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Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.

Technically Yours by Denise Williams
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Seven years ago, he fell in love with a stranger he couldn’t have—today, she’s back in his life and the sparks between them threaten to set her career on fire.

This Spells Love by Kate Robb
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Reeling from a recent breakup, a young woman tries to heal heartbreak with a spell–only to wake up in an alternate reality where she’s lost more than she wished for–in this witty, whimsical friends-to-lovers debut rom-com.

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe
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What Not to Wear and Queer Eye meet All the Feels in this sparkling romantic comedy by Jenny L. Howe, in which the new guest on a popular plus-size makeover show has her style―and her love life―transformed.

Housebroke by Jaci Burton
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A millionaire and a woman who thinks he’s a house flipper are stuck living in a house together with a menagerie of rescue dogs as roommates, in this heartfelt romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.

Game On by Seressia Glass
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When an unexpected Player Two enters her life, a gamer must decide if their relationship is worth leveling up in this new romance from the author of The Love Con.

Gold by Raven Kennedy
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‘Find me in another life. Find me in all of them’ It all ends now. Discover the heart-stopping finale to the international and Amazon bestselling fantasy phenomenon.

The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore
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Bookish suffragist Catriona Campbell is busy: An ailing estate, academic writer’s block, a tense time for England’s women’s rights campaign—the last thing she needs is to be stuck playing host to her father’s distractingly attractive young colleague.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
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A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the “delectable” (Time) Chef’s Kiss.

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
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Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.

What July to December book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Enjoy These Swoonworthy July to December 2023 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.