Lauren Kung Jessen Archives | The Nerd Daily

8 Books Inspired by Lucky Chinese New Year Rituals

The Nerd Daily — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Guest post written by The Fortune Flip author Lauren Kung Jessen
Lauren Kung Jessen is a mixed-race Chinese American writer with a fondness for witty, flirtatious dialogue and making meals with too many steps but lots of flavor. She is fascinated by myths and superstitions and how ideas, beliefs, traditions, and stories evolve over time. From attending culinary school to working in the world of Big Tech to writing love stories, Lauren cares about creating experiences that make people feel something. When she’s not writing novels, she works as a content strategist and user experience writer. She also has a food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema, where she makes food inspired by movies and TV shows. She lives in Nashville with her husband (who she met thanks to fate—read: the algorithms of online dating), two cats, and dog.

About The Fortune Flip: This charming rom-com is filled with Chinese traditions, second chances, and a luck-changing love story that will appeal to readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Sarah Adams. Out March 17th 2026.

With Chinese New Year comes the celebration of a new cycle in the Chinese zodiac (this year, we’re entering the Year of the Horse), rituals to bring good fortune and prosperity, and traditions believed to attract good luck for the forthcoming year. Some of these traditions include eating lucky foods, such as dumplings and fish, wearing the auspicious color red, and sharing red envelopes filled with lucky money.

In my next novel, The Fortune Flip—releasing March 17, 2026—luck is a major theme throughout. When Hazel Yen and Logan Wells’ bad and good fortunes flip after a visit to a fortune teller, they have to work together to change back their luck. They try everything from lucky foods to luck consultants to feng shui, all while visiting different fortune tellers who can “temp check” their efforts. But is luck something we can attract more of, or is it something we make?

Luck is a word you’ll hear again and again during new year festivities. Many actions are taken in the lead up to, and during, the Chinese New Year two-week period that are centered on what you can do to increase good luck and eliminate the bad. It’s also a time for reuniting with family and friends and honoring those who have passed on. Because it’s believed that good things are better in pairs, I’ve matched books with lucky traditions and rituals for the new year ahead.

If you’re sending—or receiving—red envelopes: Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

When Lulu, Rina, and Jane find themselves needing to escape life as they know it, the best friends scheme to steal the cash gifts at Lulu’s upcoming high-society wedding. Add to your TBR if you love stories about female friendships and commentary on the pressure women face, all signed, sealed, and delivered with a red envelope heist.

If you’re counting your lucky numbers: 888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers by Abraham Chang

Everyone gets seven great loves in their life, according to Young Wang’s uncle. But when Young meets Erena—his sixth love—is she just the penultimate relationship for him, or is she his one true love? Layered with Western pop culture, Chinese numerology and superstition, and the experience of being a first-generation Chinese American.

If you’re gathering with family or honoring your ancestors: Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang

After Big Boss Sun’s death, the Sun family scrambles and schemes to produce a male heir who can take over the family business. According to the family’s fortune teller, if they don’t succeed, the family will become “hungry ghosts” in the afterlife. In the Sun family, there’s no shortage of drama, power plays, and scandalous secrets. If you’re looking for a juicy family saga loaded with twists, this is it.

If you’re resolving disagreements and mending relationships: The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A Chinese New Year family celebration goes terribly wrong when Meddy’s Second Aunt’s ex-beau shows up with gifts—and accidentally brings one not meant for the Chans. Instead, it was for a business rival to cement their alliance. Meddy and the Aunties decide to return the gift and find themselves in the middle of a decades-long war between rival crime lords. Packed with humorous hijinks, the entertaining kind of chaos, and good intentions, this novel takes you for a ride!

If you’re eating dumplings for good fortune: Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau

This time loop romance about Noelle, who’s stuck repeating the same Friday over and over again, will forever alter the way you view night market dumplings. Noelle thinks Cam, a handsome brewery owner, might be her way out of the time loop, yet when she “meet cutes” with him every (repeated) day, he never seems to remember her. This one is fast-paced, self-aware, and will make you hungry for dumplings (despite everything that happens because of them).

If you’re modernizing time-honored traditions: Chop Fry Watch Learn: Fu Pei-mei and the Making of Modern Chinese Food by Michelle T. King

A food-infused cultural history centered on the life of Fu Pei-mei, a celebrity television chef and cookbook author, who taught the world how to cook Chinese food—all while adapting as the times changed. This book provides a fascinating look into a food icon’s impressive and impactful career, offers insights on identity and the sociopolitical history of China and Taiwan, and illuminates the powerful role food plays through it all.

If you’re ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse: Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen

Two Chinese zodiac matchmakers go head-to-head in a competition to prove whose method works best—traditional matching vs. modern app dating. As Olivia takes on her rival, Bennett, who’s started a dating app that puts her family’s business at risk, she learns a hard, but much-needed, lesson that when it comes to love, the heart doesn’t always care about compatibility. For those who love matchmaking, characters who each other up on dates, sweet family interactions, and lots of food. It’s also a crash course in learning about the signs of the Chinese zodiac (perfect for welcoming the Year of the Horse)!

If you’re hanging lanterns, paper cuttings, and decorations to usher in good fortune and happiness: Double Happiness by Heather Eng

Mei must learn—and choose—what it is she really wants in work, life, and love in this novel about a woman with a carefully constructed life who’s caught between a relentless tech job, her fiancé, and an unexpected new relationship. This one comes out on May 19, 2026, so this is a peek at what’s on my TBR!

The post 8 Books Inspired by Lucky Chinese New Year Rituals appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Swoonworthy 2026 Romance Book Releases You Need

Elise Dumpleton — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:00:00 +0000

The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

If your romance-loving heart needs a good dose of swoon, then you’re in luck because 2026 holds many delightful new romance reads for you! Releasing between the months of January and June, you’ll see new releases from Julian Winters, Tessa Bailey, B.K. Borison, Ashley Herring Blake, Meghan Quinn, Falon Ballard, TJ Alexander, Abby Jimenez, Rainbow Rowell, Chloe Liese, Carley Fortune, Eloisa James, Katherine Center, Mazey Eddings, Ashley Poston, and many more, plus spectacular debuts too!

You’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other 2026 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Anticipated YA Books and Anticipated Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books lists!

JANUARY 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Sparks fly in this second chance m/m rom com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man-of-honor at the high profile wedding he’s planning is the same man who broke his heart.

Our Ex’s Wedding by Taleen Voskuni

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two people who can’t stand each other must come together to plan their mutual ex’s wedding in this new romantic comedy by Taleen Voskuni, author of Lavash at First Sight.

Definitely Maybe Not A Detective by Sarah Fox

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this delightfully charming rom-com mystery, a woman becomes accidentally entangled in a murder investigation (and with a handsome stranger) when her fake detective agency is enlisted to solve a real homicide.

Catch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new marriage of convenience, friends-to-lovers sports romance about a baseball catcher and the burlesque club owner he can’t get out of his head.

Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Miss Congeniality meets The Bachelor in this action-packed rom-com debut about an investigative journalist who sneaks onto reality TV only to fall for the wrong guy.

We’ve Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this swoony young adult rom-com, things get bumpy when a girl gets stuck on a cross-country flight with her ex—as if flying couldn’t get any worse. . . .

Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Sparks fly when an up-and-coming team principle and her new hot-shot driver—and former childhood crush—are forced to work together to save their careers and team in this deliciously winning Formula 1 romance.

A Killer Kind of Romance by Letizia Lorini

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this new romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Letizia Lorini, a crime podcast host must solve a chilling serial killer case while navigating an unexpected romance with her mysterious next-door neighbor.

Like In Love With You by Emma R. Alban

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Mean Girls meets Northanger Abbey in this brand new, sapphic, rivals-to-lovers Regency Romance by USA Today bestselling author Emma R. Alban!

Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A second chance at love sets sail when a couple on the verge of divorce pretends they’re still together for one last family trip, from the author of Wedding Dashers.

Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Stephanie Burgis delivers another irreverent, sparkling, and sexy installment in the Queens of Villainy series, where a seductive fae queen meets her unexpected match in the enemy empire’s valiant general.

For Our Next Song by Jessica James

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The decade-long friendship between two rock goddesses is thrust into the spotlight after their mutual desire strikes a perfect—and very public—chord.

FEBRUARY 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Still Into You by Erin Connor

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two exes reunite for a make-or-break interview that will either bring them back together … or drive them apart forever.

Game, Set, Match by Jennifer Iacopelli

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
She’s a tennis superstar on the rise. He’s the bad boy champ who broke her heart. When they meet on the court, their competition is hot—but their chemistry is even hotter.

Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An academic-rivals-to-lovers rom-com set at a New York conference about two neuroscientists who are forced to pretend they’re dating, leading to unexpected chemistry and a heartfelt journey of self-discovery.

And Now, Back to You by B. K. Borison

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.

Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A small-town, opposites-attract romance about two people who end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling.

Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A summer job at a lake-town resort brings together two women with an unlikely connection in this new contemporary romance by USA Today bestselling author Ashley Herring Blake.

Skate It Till You Make It by Rufaro Faith Mazarura

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The weather might be icy, but the tension is red-hot in this fake―dating hockey rom―com from the author of Let the Games Begin.

Just for the Cameras by Meghan Quinn

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a sizzling sports romance full of flamingo feathers, slow-burn heat, and one grump-meets-sunshine love story that’s anything but fake.

One & Only by Maurene Goo

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In Five Years meets a millennial The Joy Luck Club in the adult debut from the author of YA Reese Pick Throwback— a funny and fresh love story of a woman thrown a curveball by fate, and the family secret that will make her question everything.

Over and Over by Becky Hunter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A sweeping speculative romance following two soulmates who have met in past lives—but are still searching for their HEA—in this angsty novel, perfect for fans of Josie Silver and One Day.

Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A brand new spicy forced proximity action adventure romcom set on a desert island, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Jo Segura and Meghan Quinn.

How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying slasher rom-com in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the romance and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl.

MARCH 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The newest book from bestselling author and Kindle Unlimited sensation Catherine Walsh, in which an ambitious editor travels to Ireland to help the daughter of a fantasy author legend complete her father’s final book, only to fall in love with her in the process.

Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Cat Sebastian’s long-awaited foray into contemporary romance! A witty, emotional, and deliciously slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance between two costars on a popular sci-fi television series.

Toe to Toe by Falon Ballard

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Allegra Hart’s dream of becoming a principal ballerina is in doubt when a director doubts her allure. Seeking help from dancer Cord Donovan, she enters a dangerous partnership. As chemistry ignites and loyalties are tested, Allegra must choose between ambition, desire, and the life she’s built.

The Fortune Flip by Lauren Kung Jessen

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
This charming rom-com is filled with Chinese traditions, second chances, and a luck-changing love story that will appeal to readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Sarah Adams.

The Bridge Back To You by Riss M. Neilson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Exes discover they’ve both inherited the restaurant they love in this sparkling, emotional new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of A Love Like the Sun.

No Place Like You by Jillian Meadows

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Childhood friends turned high school rivals fall into a small-town fake dating scheme in this sweet, spicy, and utterly irresistible romance from the author of Give Me Butterflies.

To Cage A Wild Bird by Brooke Fast

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Enter the brutal world of Endlock, a prison where the wealthy hunt the inmates for sport. The first novel in an electrifying dystopian romance series, this high-octane debut about forbidden love, found family, and a fight for survival will leave you breathless.

A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss and A Gentleman’s Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.

Thirty Love by Tom Vellner

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Things heat up on and off the court for two tennis rivals in this steamy debut gay sports rom-com, perfect for fans of TJ Alexander and Casey McQuiston.

Anderson In Bloom by Jennifer Dugan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of Love at First Set, a hilariously sexy enemies-to-lovers, second-chance rom-com about a reclusive former child star turned florist whose quiet life is turned upside down when her annoyingly hot ex (and former costar) shows up in town, with plans to write a tell-all memoir.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1New York Times bestselling author of Say You’ll Remember Me comes a beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Reese Remington, baseball’s first female owner, battles scrutiny while proving her worth. Focused and guarded, she clashes with Emmett Montgomery, a former star turned manager. Forced together, rivalry ignites chemistry. With careers and the team at stake, they struggle to resist feelings that could jeopardise everything during a high-stakes season.

APRIL 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Unbound by Peyton Corinne

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A new “angsty, sexy, emotional” (Farrah Rochon, New York Times bestselling author) lyrical romance by Peyton Corinne that follows a college couple through first love, heartbreak, and the struggle to come together again.

Fast Lane by C.S. Quill

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Flatshare meets Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series in this opposites-attract campus romance where a brooding bad boy and a heartbroken girl become reluctant roommates amid fast cars and faster chemistry.

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Can fake dating lead to real love? In Kasie West’s next sexy adult romcom two people must decide where the lie ends and the chemistry begins.

How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bridgerton meets The Goldfinch in How to Fake It in Society, a stunning queer romance by rising genre star KJ Charles.

The Auction by Sadie Kincaid

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The queen of dark mafia romance, Sadie Kincaid, begins her new explosively sexy Wages of Sin series with The Auction. Beauty and the Beast meets organized crime in this tense slow-burn romance with scorching spice, thrilling suspense, and life-altering secrets.

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A man and a woman with the same name are looking for a fresh start only to discover they have landed the same job in this charming new romance by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
#1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell returns with a breathtakingly honest novel about a woman who lost everything — and isn’t sure she wants it back.

Happy Ending by Chloe Liese

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From USA TODAY bestselling author Chloe Liese, a clever and heartwarming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Annabel Monaghan about two best friends who must fake a relationship for their exes.

Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of Partners in Crime, comes a sparkling new adventure rom-com where a con woman and a lawman team up on an epic cross-country road trip to save their families…and each other.

We Become Darkness by Grace Morrow

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A human and a Vampyr forge an unsteady alliance in this marriage-of-convenience romantic fantasy, perfect for fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and One Dark Window.

Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
On the hunt for hidden treasure, two former best friends turned adversaries must put the past behind them if they hope to make it home. This childhood friends-to-lovers male/male romantic fantasy for fans of Tusk Love and Sara Raasch crackles with tension and heat.

Don’t Tell Me How It Ends by Adrienne Thurman

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A floundering twenty-something, who’s sworn off romance finds herself roped into her meddling sister’s matchmaking business—in this sparkling debut rom-com that asks: can we protect ourselves while falling in love?

MAY 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Broken Dove by Dani Francis

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In the heart-pounding sequel to the New York Times bestselling dystopian romance Silver Elite, lines will be crossed, loyalties will be tested, and the fight for the Continent is only just beginning as Wren Darlington finds herself caught in the middle of two wars: one for the fate of her home and another for the fate of her heart.

Soon by You by Dahlia Adler

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
27 Dresses meets The Intimacy Experiment in this sexy, emotional, opposites-attract rom-com set in New York City’s Modern Orthodox community.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

The Last Lady B by Eloisa James

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Lady B may have married Bluebeard; she may have fallen in love with a gorgeous, grumpy solicitor; she may have met a ghost and survived to tell the tale! New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Eloisa James delights with witty historical romance with a gothic twist.

Bromantasy by Máire Roche

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
BROMANTASY is a cozy, queer fantasy about the mortifying ordeal of being known by your totally platonic best friend and the epic quest that might force you to confront the truth.

By The Bootstraps by Alexa Martin

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A cowboy romance enthusiast discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in this swoony novel from beloved author Alexa Martin.

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship.

First and Forever by Lynn Painter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A football star and his team’s die-hard fan find themselves entangled in a PR stunt—that only one side knows is fake—but it might just be the right play…

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A hardworking single mom returns to her seaside hometown and stumbles into a fake dating situationship with a wealthy, workaholic scion, from the New York Times bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script.

It Happened One Murder by Liz Lawson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Only Murders in the Building gets a rom-com twist in a laugh-out-loud mystery-romance following one woman who will have to pair up with an unlikely ally to solve a murder in their quaint New Jersey beach town.

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In Take Me With You, Steven Rowley brings his resonant wit and emotional insight to an epic love story – an exploration of the forces that draw two people into the same orbit and the gravity that threatens to pull them apart.

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When two misfits discover they’ve inherited the same beach house, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways, in this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.

JUNE 2026 ROMANCE BOOK RELEASES

Nemesis Mine by Amy Archer

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A not-so-evil villain strikes a deal with a not-quite-perfect hero to fake a feud, boost their reputations . . . and try not to fall in love in the process—in this hilarious, tender, sexy, and outrageously fun romp that blends the humor of Assistant to the Villain with the unforgettable romance of Red, White, & Royal Blue and the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes.

White Lights by Lauren Kate

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate, whose Fallen series has over 10 million copies in print and has sold over 11 million copies of her novels around the world, is returning to the romantasy world of angels that’s perfect for Fallen fans and new audiences alike.

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Cubby Clark is spiralling—her band is broken, her ex is famous, and inspiration is gone. As tabloids spin a love triangle and a summer tour amplifies tensions, Cubby and her best friend Darcy must confront buried feelings or risk losing each other and the music they love.

The Very Definition of Love by Sophia Benoit

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bridgerton meets Emily Henry in this fresh take on regency romance about a wallflower writing a dictionary of bawdy slang who arranges her own marriage to the ultimate instructor: the town rake.

The Shrouded Queen by Ashley Tropea

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In the first book in this romantasy duology inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology, a slave and a princess switch places during an enemy attack, igniting parallel journeys of love and survival.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti.

Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brynne Weaver comes the second book in the devilishly steamy Seasons of Carnage trilogy where dark romantic comedy meets thrilling suspense—and where love is ripe for ruin.

Witch Season by Julia Bianco

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Exhilarating, dangerous, and seductive, Witch Season is an action-packed and fiercely romantic contemporary fantasy from debut author and screenwriter Julia Bianco.

The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip.

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams returns with an intensely romantic, deliciously sexy tale about a woman searching for her handsome seatmate on a European flight—and the unexpected places her hunt for love leads her.

The Open Era by Edward Schmit

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Austin Hardy’s Grand Slam debut makes history and headlines as the first openly gay competitor. With anxiety mounting and a complicated bond forming with rival Diego Cruz, Austin must fight pressure, expectations, and his own heart at the US Open.

Tropesick by Lauren Okie

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this lush, slow-burning romance, two childhood neighbors, connected by a shared tragedy, unexpectedly reunite to ghostwrite a love story for a reclusive author. Spending the summer at her secluded Hamptons estate, they soon discover that dozens of classic romance tropes, including the ones they’re crafting on page, are mysteriously playing out in real life.

Will you be picking up any of these romance reads? Are there any others you’re looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below! Plus be sure to check back later in the year for our July to December picks!

The post Swoonworthy 2026 Romance Book Releases You Need appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

28 New Romance Reads Hitting Bookshelves In January 2025

Elise Dumpleton — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 03:00:00 +0000

A new year brings new reads and you are going to swoon over the romance books that will be hitting bookshelves in January! The first month of 2025 sees new books from Chloe Liese, Sarah Adams, Jo Segura, Hannah Bonam-Young, Jenny Holiday, and so many more, along with delightful debuts!

Read on to discover our picks and let us know in the comments if you’ll be picking any!

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
In this charming rom-com filled with Chinese traditions and a family curse, an herbalist fake dates a star musician–perfect for fans of Helen Hoang and Jasmine Guillory.

Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Star-crossed lovers learn that practicing romance leads to the perfect happy ending in this steamy reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

A swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum—a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist—realize they are the perfect match.

The Lodge by Kayla Olson

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
From the author of The Reunion, a cozy rom-com about a writer who decamps to a Vermont lodge for work but finds herself distracted by the charming ski instructor next door.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

Single Player by Tara Tai

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Two video game creators go head-to-head in this delightful, queer enemies-to-lovers workplace romance debut, perfect for fans of TJ Alexander and Helen Hoang.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
With his funny, big-hearted adult rom com debut, bestselling, award-winning YA author Julian Winters shows sometimes fake dating your ex can turn into a second chance.

Work In Progress by Kat Mackenzie

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A warm, sexy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman who, desperate for a fresh start, books a literary bus tour across the UK that consists of a lively group of elderly ladies plus one infuriatingly handsome Scottish driver.

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

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In this Latinx adult romance debut from National Book Award Finalist Sonora Reyes, two friends enter into a marriage of convenience to save one from deportation—but everything changes when they unexpectedly fall in love.

Unromance by Erin Connor

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A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

For One Night Only by Jessica James

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When two former bandmates—and bedmates—are thrust back into each other’s lives in a fake dating scheme for publicity, they’ll be forced to face the music.

Let’s Call A Truce by Amy Buchanan

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Let’s Call A Truce is a sexy contemporary romance about second chances at life and love, bursting with humor and a touch of angst from debut author, Amy Buchanan.

Only In Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde

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A spicy small-town, brother’s best friend, sports romance “packed with sizzling tension, heat, and sweet, swoon-worthy moments” (Peyton Corinne, author of TikTok sensation Unsteady) between a college football coach and the one that got away that you’ll want to devour in one sitting.

Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee

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A struggling vineyard owner gets a second taste of her first crush in this romantic comedy that sparkles with humor and heat.

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura

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Archaeologist Miriam and journalist Rafael are destined to be rivals and must journey together to find the Lost City of the Moon. As they navigate treacherous paths and rival crews, their hearts become entangled in a thrilling adventure where love and duty collide in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel

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The game is on for two nerds who love to outplay each other . . . even when their hearts are on the line, in this charming and geeky romantic comedy perfect for fans of Olivia Dade and Jen DeLuca.

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

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USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti returns with another hot, hilarious Regency romp about a reclusive earl and the wallflower-turned-radical-pamphleteer who turns his life upside down.

Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen

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After a case of mistaken identity and an almost one-night stand, two stranded wedding guests have to find their way to their final destination together, in this riotously fun debut romance.

A Lady Would Know Better by Emma Theriault

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Get ready to swoon for this dreamy, forget-me-not romance that’s filled with the delightful tartness of Jane Austen and the sweeping, unputdownable drama of Bridgerton.

Flirting With Disaster by Naina Kumar

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She needs a divorce from her husband—but a hurricane threatens to dredge up their stormy, passionate past in this sizzling romance from the bestselling author of Say You’ll Be Mine.

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

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A married couple joins a week-long wilderness expedition to help them reconnect in this heartfelt companion novel to the viral TikTok sensation Out on a Limb.

Into the Woods by Jenny Holiday

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Summer camp heats up for a grumpy rockstar and a cynical dance instructor in this funny and heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke

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With a colorful cast of characters and a cellar full of wine, anything can happen―from murder to a second chance at love―in Jenny Elder Moke’s half mystery, half romance adult debut set at a lavish destination wedding.

The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee

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There’s more than one way to love and more than one place to call home in this rousing small-town romantic comedy that’s sure to charm fans of Hannah Bonam-Young’s Next to You and Ashley Herring Blake’s Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date

Book People by Jackie Ashenden

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When a fledgling bookseller opens a shop and café celebrating popular genre fiction across the street from a well-established upscale bookshop, she incurs the wrath and disdain of its highbrow owner, until a long-held family secret that connects their pasts comes to light during a literary festival . . .

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

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A stolen latte results in a meet-cute for the ages in this brand-new edition, with bonus content, of New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter’s rom-com Accidentally Amy.

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

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Sometimes the last thing you expect is exactly what you need, the final missing piece. And sometimes it comes in the form of a towering, broody sheriff, determined to get in your way at every step.

The Bad Bridesmaid by Rachael Johns

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A heart-warming friends-to-lovers romance about the magic and mayhem of weddings – and what happens when everything you thought you knew about love is turned upside down.

What January releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 28 New Romance Reads Hitting Bookshelves In January 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Swoonworthy 2025 Romance Book Releases You Need

Elise Dumpleton — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Prepare your romance-loving heart as there are some stellar romance books releasing in the first half of 2025! Between the months of January and June, you’ll see new releases from Emily Henry, Charlotte Stein, TJ Alexander, Jasmine Guillory, Ali Hazelwood, Meryl Wilsner, Abby Jimenez, Sarah Hogle, Katherine Center, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Ashley Poston, and many more, along with so many debuts too!

You’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, YA books, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, and Fiction books list.

JANUARY 2025

Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee

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A struggling vineyard owner gets a second taste of her first crush in this romantic comedy that sparkles with humor and heat.

Work In Progress by Kat Mackenzie

Unromance by Erin Connor

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

Yin Yang Love Song By Lauren Kung Jessen

The Lodge by Kayla Olson

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

For One Night Only by Jessica James

Let’s Call A Truce by Amy Buchanan

Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese

FEBRUARY 2025

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera

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Aurora Montalban, an ambitious doctor breaking societal norms to help women in 19^th century Paris, and Apollo Sinclair Robles, the reluctant Duke willing to risk everything for her.

Get Lost With You by Sophie Sullivan

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A second chance at love, small-town romance that’s all sweet with just a hint of heat from the “queen of sweet romance” (Falon Ballard) Sophie Sullivan.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

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A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

I Got Abducted By Aliens and Now I’m Trapped In A Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming

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A hilarious and sexy romance about a woman who gets dropped on a strange planet only to fall for not one, but two, aliens, from the author of I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf.

Never Planned On You by Lindsay Hameroff

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A glittering, laugh-out-loud second chance romance that reminds us true love is sometimes the one thing you never planned on.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

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A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged—in an all-new rom-com by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon

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In this “brilliant, poignant love story perfect for fans of Emily Henry,” a former sorority girl starts a prestigious poetry MFA program only to discover that one of her classmates is her high school crush-turned-nemesis—and he can’t stop writing about her.

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard

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From the beloved author of Right on Cue and Lease on Love comes a whimsical new rom-com about a workaholic forced to aim for a goal she never thought she’d love.

Love and Other Hollywood Endings by Susannah Erwin

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An upbeat production exec is tasked with reining in the cynical director who was her forbidden college heartbreak in this sparkling, sexy contemporary romance.

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator

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In this witty and fun rom-com debut from Annabelle Slator, rival coworkers become reluctant daters after they’re forced to work together on a brand-new dating app in hopes of winning a promotion—perfect for fans of Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game.

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

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A competitive diver and an ace swimmer jump into forbidden waters in this steamy college romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis.

The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest

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An R&B singer and a corporate executive find love that hits the right notes in this romance by Kristina Forest, USA Today bestselling author of The Partner Plot.

MARCH 2025

Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch

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It’s enemies to lovers in this sexy and delightful holiday mash up that pairs the spare prince of Christmas with the crown prince of St. Patrick’s Day!

Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker

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One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo

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The long-awaited follow-up to the Reese’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestselling global phenomenon The Light We Lost: a thrilling love story about the roles fate and choice play in shaping a life.

Something Cheeky by Thien-Kim Lam

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A steamy new rom-com from the popular author of Happy Endings and Full Exposure, where two friends get the opportunity to work together on their dream project—a Cinderella rock musical with an all-Asian cast—and discover that falling in love was the easy part…

My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein

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Perfect for fans of Ted Lasso, this delicious slow burn romance turns a pretend marriage into real love.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

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Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not.

Fan Service by Rosie Danan

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The truth is stranger than fan fiction in the next sexy paranormal rom-com from the beloved author of The Roommate.

Cover Story by Celia Laskey

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A hilarious, emotional love story about an extremely anxious publicist who’s tasked with keeping an extremely gay starlet in the closet—but who ends up falling for her instead.

The Lady Sparks a Flame by Elizabeth Everett

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A Lady with a past. A man with ambition. A romance far from London society that might bridge their divides.

Just Our Luck by Denise Williams

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A lottery ticket + donuts = love in this steamy new fake dating romance from beloved author Denise Williams.

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

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From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss, a groundbreaking trans Regency romance that’s both delightfully witty and refreshingly iconoclastic.

Love and Other Paradoxes by Catriona Silvey

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One of the greatest love stories in history gets derailed when a struggling poet at Cambridge runs into a time-traveler who agrees to help him find his muse—a thoughtful and uplifting romantic comedy for fans of About Time and The Midnight Library.

APRIL 2025

Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine

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A bestselling romance author flees to Alaska to reinvent herself and write her first murder mystery, but the rugged resort proprietor soon has her fearing she’s living in a rom-com plot instead in this earnestly spectacular debut by a stunning new voice.

The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton

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Geography professors in a failed marriage of convenience inconveniently reconnect for an emergency mission in this swoony historical-fantasy rom-com.

Anywhere You Go by Bridget Morrissey

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A small-town waitress and a big-city Broadway press agent swap homes to escape the messiness of their personal lives, only to find new purpose—and new love.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner

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Meryl Wilsner’s spicy romance, their first with a nonbinary lead, where two lifelong best friends go on a nonrefundable honeymoon together and discover sometimes to find a happily ever after, you just have to ask.

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary

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Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

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Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer comes a new playful yet deeply emotional contemporary romance.

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

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From the acclaimed author of Old Flames and New Fortunes comes a steamy enemies-to-lovers romantasy about a paranormal skeptic who is roped into a ghost hunting romp by the charming boy next door . . . who might just show her what real fantasies are made of.

Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage

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From the bestselling author of Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, the next book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, a small town romance in which past lovers get a second chance to rediscover what they lost.

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey

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A morbidly funny and emotionally resonant novel about the ways life—and love—can sneak up on us (no matter how much pepper spray we carry).

Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory

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The exciting new contemporary romance—and her first to feature a queer romance—by New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory.

The Matchmaker by Aisha Saeed

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A society matchmaker realizes she’s in danger when her clients’ weddings are sabotaged in increasingly disturbing ways—an utterly original mystery from the New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed.

MAY 2025

A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher

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A witch and a shifter get a second chance at love in this new paranormal romantic comedy from USA Today Bestselling author April Asher.

Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt

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Sparks fly in this summer romp for fans of Casey McQuiston when dancers at a Catskills resort try to pull off the perfect show, and find happiness and a place where they belong on the way.

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

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From the international bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adiós comes a steamy love story of a divorced schoolteacher who discovers that her perfect no-strings fling is anything but…

Not So Fast by Karen Booth

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It’s Formula One—getting revved up is all part of the fun in this sizzling, high-octane rom-com for fans of Rush and The Hating Game.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

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A radiant, new escape to the lake from #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

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Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ―along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

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A former adolescent TV punch line has left her awkwardness in the rearview mirror thanks to a fake-it-till-you-make-it mantra that has her on the cusp of success, until she tells a lie that sets her on a crash course with her past, spending a week on Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

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An emotional, irresistible second-chance romance filled with sparkling humor, big feelings, and “melt your face off intimacy” (Jessica Joyce).

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.

Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake

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A small-town waitress and a Hollywood star’s worlds collide in this new romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

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No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

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A hilarious, unputdownable second-chance-romance about the most unlikely, gay roommate mishap. Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.

JUNE 2025

Winging It With You by Chip Pons

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Popular bookstagrammer Chip Pons’s gay rom-com about two men who impulsively pose as a couple to compete in a reality show contest just minutes after meeting at an airport, and their run-in with the very real feelings that start to simmer between them.

The Ripple Effect by Maggie North

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A grumpy burnt out physician and a sunshine psychologist must fake an engagement to save his whitewater canoeing/ relationship therapy startup in Maggie North’s sparkling second novel about starting over.

If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You by Mae Marvel

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Ms. and Ms. Smith meets The Pairing in this heart-racing romance of secrets, spies, and steam.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston

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A hitmaking songwriter and a bitter musician share a startling and inexplicable connection that they’ll do anything to shake, in the next sparkling, magical book from Ashley Poston.

Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter

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Cleat Cute meets Friday Night Lights in this funny, spicy, emotional new sapphic romance from Jodie Slaughter.

Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler

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Two estranged best friends find that their long-abandoned treasure hunt might be the key to a fresh start—for both their futures and their feelings, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler.

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

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A band reunion may be enough to change two musicians’ tune on love in this electric romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan

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In this contemporary novel from the author of Counting Down with You, singer-songwriter Summer Ali shakes things up with a PR stunt “dating” actor Jules Moradi, but the lines between real and fake begin to blur.

When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa

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The USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man is back with a fun and flirty rom-com about a pact between friends that goes awry when one of them unexpectedly announces they’re getting married.

Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja

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In this charming, delightfully original rom-com, a struggling writer’s muse suddenly comes to life, but can they create their own happily-ever-after?

Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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Mulan is reimagined as a contemporary romance about family expectations, mistaken identity, and high stakes mergers—of both business and the heart.

Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle

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From the author of Just Some Stupid Love Story, an irresistible rom-com about what happens when a cruise ship romance goes…overboard

What 2025 romance books are you looking forward to reading? Any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Swoonworthy 2025 Romance Book Releases You Need appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Do You Believe in Magic (Books)?

The Nerd Daily — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Guest post written by Wish I Were Here author Melissa Wiesner
Melissa Wiesner’s mother didn’t allow her to watch much TV as a child and instead, made her play with paint, colorful pipe cleaners, random bits of fabric, and all manner of other crafty things. This set Melissa up for a lifetime of creative pursuits, and it was only a matter of time before things took a bookish turn.

A night-owl, Melissa began writing novels when her early-to-bed family retired for the evening. She is the award-winning author of contemporary romantic comedies and emotional women’s fiction. Her work has earned praise from Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly, and has been featured in Women’s World, The Knot, and Book of the Month. Melissa’s novels will soon be translated into a dozen languages.

About Wish I Were Here: In this witty and charming love story perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens, Ashley Poston, and Josie Silver, a buttoned-up math professor is forced to rely on her carefree doorman when her identity mysteriously disappears.

Are you the type of person who has ever wished you could go back in time for a do-over of the past? Or maybe you’ve wondered what it would be like to look into the future and change your fate. If you find yourself nodding your head, then chances are you’re a fan of magical and timeslip movies like Groundhog Day, 13 Going on 30, About Time, and Palm Springs. And you’ll probably love all the magical romance novels published recently!

There’s so much that draws us to magical tropes! They pull us out of ordinary life and show us what could have been if we’d made different choices. They let us imagine taking charge of our futures. They reassure us that love can be destined. If you’re in the magical romance mood, consider checking out these books that are perfect for fans of wishes, time travel, and fate!

Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner

I love magical tropes so much that I even wrote a couple of books about them myself! My upcoming novel, Wish I Were Here is the story of Catherine, a Type-A math professor who carefully calculates everything from her daily to-dos to her afternoon snacks. But one day, she wakes up and discovers her entire identity has mysteriously disappeared. There’s no evidence Catherine ever existed.

With no other options, Catherine reluctantly accepts help from her exasperatingly laidback—and infuriatingly attractive—doorman, Luca Morelli. Before long, by-the-books Catherine finds herself bending all the rules with the charismatic Luca…and in the process, discovering that losing herself might just be the key to finding where she truly belongs.

The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa

The Backtrack is the story of Sam, a pilot who returns to her childhood home after more than a decade away in order to help her grandmother move. In the process, Sam finds an old mix CD that her childhood best friend and “the one that got away” made for her in high school. To her astonishment, Sam plays the CD and discovers she can revisit her past and experience how her life might been if only she’d stayed instead of left all those years ago.

This book is the pitch-perfect mix of heartwarming second-chance romance, nostalgic music, and a hint of magic. It will appeal to anyone who has ever looked back on their first love and wondered “what if?”

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

Speaking of nostalgia… dreamy, early-aughts actors like Adam Brody and Joshua Jackson are having big moments in the spotlight this year, and their fans won’t want to miss Prime Time Romance! This book has all atmosphere and charm of a small town early-2000’s teen drama, but with a sexy, magical twist.

Brynn, a 30-year-old recent divorcee finds herself suddenly plummeted into the world of her favorite teen TV drama along with her sexy new roommate, Josh. To get back to their real lives, Brynn and Josh have to fulfill the happy ending that never happened on the show. But when they begin falling for one another, they deliver a plot twist that jeopardizes the show’s perfect ending. Any reader who has ever rooted for the bad boy to get the girl, or for the girl to get her long deserved happily-ever-after will fall for this book.

Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin

Witchful Thinking is another perfect choice for anyone who loves the charm of a small-town romance about “the one that got away.” Think of it like a Hallmark movie with magical beings and a whole heap of chemistry between a witch and a very sexy merman!

Lucy lives a pretty ordinary witchy life until Alex unexpectedly comes back to town. All of a sudden, his presence—and her impeding high school reunion—has Lucy wishing for more out of life. When her wish turns to a spell, Lucy finds herself magically opening herself up to all sorts of new experiences…and a romance with her old love. Witchful Thinking is the first of three books in the Elemental Love universe, all of which are out now…just in time to binge for Halloween season!

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

Happy Medium is a fresh, original, and entertaining story about a fake spirit medium named Gretchen who is hired by one of her elderly clients to “cleanse” the property of an old friend. It turns out that the friend is a 30-something smokeshow named Charlie, and the property is populated by a real ghost.

The moment I encountered the back cover copy of this book, I knew I had to read it, and it did not let me down! This book puts the “com” in romcom, and it genuinely had me laughing out loud!

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

Red String Theory is the dreamy, romantic story of Rooney, an artist whose whole life has been guided by fate, and in particular, the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by an invisible red string. When Rooney meets Jack—her perfect match—on an idyllic New York night, she’s sure she found The One…until she learns he’s a skeptic who doesn’t believe in destiny.

Rooney is hired as an artist-in-residence at Jack’s workplace…which if you believe in fate, you’ll know is no coincidence! And even more enchanting, Red String Theory is set at NASA so there are literal planets aligning and stars shining down on the couple. Readers will feel the magic on every page!

The post Do You Believe in Magic (Books)? appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Q&A: Lauren Kung Jessen, Author of ‘Red String Theory’

Elise Dumpleton — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:00:47 +0000

We chat with author Lauren Kung Jessen about Red String Theory, which is a charming rom-com about two star-crossed lovers, a woman whose life is guided by her belief in the red-string of fate finds her perfect match—but his skepticism about true love puts a knot in their chances.

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

Hi! I’m Lauren Kung Jessen, a romance author living in Nashville with my husband, two cats, and dog. My first book, Lunar Love, involves a matchmaking competition between two Chinese zodiac matchmakers, and my latest novel, Red String Theory, merges fate, art, science, and the Chinese legend, the Red Thread of Fate.

I’ve attended culinary school and worked in Big Tech, and when I have the time (which is rare these days) I cook and watch movies for my food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema. My love for food trickles into all of my books, so I always recommend having snacks on hand.

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

I discovered my love for writing and dreaming and following the thread of my imagination when I spent time at my parents’ office writing stories in empty conference rooms on my gifted, beloved typewriter. I would write and illustrate my own “books,” producing enough stories that could fill a small bookstore.

When I wasn’t making up stories, I read. Constantly. I adored book series like Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew, loving getting lost in worlds other than my own. But I didn’t have books or movies that featured characters who looked like me or my family, which is so important for people of all ages to have and experience. When I jumped back into fiction after writing nonfiction for a while, I knew I wanted to showcase people like me whose worlds aren’t often shown in books and movies.

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: Difficult to pinpoint just one because so many authors and stories have shaped me!
The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I recently finished reading Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital by Elise Hu, which was fascinating, insightful, and complex. I learned so much.

**Your latest novel, Red String Theory, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?**

Fate. Art. Science. Funny. Swoony.

What can readers expect?

Red String Theory is an opposites attract, forced proximity romantic comedy featuring fate, art, science, and dumplings at midnight. Readers can expect to be caught up in a whirlwind evening in New York City filled with fateitious moments, and then thrown into the world of NASA via suit-ups and behind-the-scenes that give glimpses into the world of systems engineers and scientists. BookPage called Red String Theory a “brainy, kisses-only love story,” which I think captures this book so well.

**Where did the inspiration for Red String Theory come from?**

I learned about the Red Thread of Fate on the night of the Lantern Festival a couple of years ago, which felt very fateitious in and of itself. As the myth goes in Chinese culture, two people who are destined to be together are connected by an invisible red thread tied around their ankles. This thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. I thought this was so beautiful, and because I love rooting myths, belief systems, and elements of Chinese culture in reality, I wanted to figure out how to tell a love story around it.

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

Writing this entire book was such a joyous experience. I loved every minute of it. Rooney, in particular, was so much fun to write. She’s someone who says what she’s thinking at any given moment. She’ll literally run around New York City in freezing temps chasing a lantern around with a stranger. She’s silly and quirky and as an artist, she’s thoughtful and observant of life and those around her. She’s also super loving and ambitious, which made her a multi-dimensional and entertaining character to get into the mind of.

This is your second novel! What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned between writing the two?

I’ve learned how different the process is from book to book. As someone who loves a plan and knowing what to expect, none of my books were written in the same way, which has presented new challenges. The plus side is that this helps differentiate the books between each other, since they all have their own needs and ways of being developed, written, and edited. Ultimately, I love that each book so far has been their own unique experience.

Did I mention I’m a planner? I’ve learned to live in a lot more discomfort and ambiguity, especially around where the story might go. I can make the most detailed outline in the world, but once I’m in the draft writing and spending time with the characters, no plan in the world could prepare me for everything they want. The characters will often guide me in directions I can’t predict in the development stages. Writing is continuously chipping away at a giant marble slab to eventually create some semblance of a sculpture, which takes time! With every draft—and more chipping away with each one—the story, plot, and characters become clearer.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on my third book! I can’t say much about it yet, but I’ll be sharing more details very soon.

Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?

So many! To spare an endless scroll of titles, I’ll go with what’s coming out soon. I can’t wait to dive into Wild Life by Ruby Lang, Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao, and How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly.

Will you be picking up Red String Theory? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Lauren Kung Jessen, Author of ‘Red String Theory’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From Sweet To Spicy: New Romance Books To Read In January 2024

Elise Dumpleton — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 17:00:48 +0000

The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Need a little romance to kick start the new year? Well, look no further than these incredible January 2024 romance book releases! With new releases from Katee Robert, Jenny Holiday, Jayne Ann Krentz, and many more, along with some exciting debuts, read on to discover some new books!

The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A rising-star musician has a second chance at love with an old flame she remembers all too well in this swoony romance from the acclaimed authors of The Roughest Draft.

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert

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Orpheus lost everything when he lost Eurydice’s love…but now he’s ready to brave the Underworld to take her back, even if that means going toe-to-toe (and heart-to-heart) with the right-hand man of Hades himself.

Last Call At The Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

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Opposites attract when a free-spirited American singer-songwriter with ADHD teams up with a charming Irishman to revitalize his family’s pub in the next heartfelt romance from the author of Luck and Last Resorts.

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

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In this charming rom-com about two star-crossed lovers, a woman whose life is guided by her belief in the red-string of fate finds her perfect match—but his skepticism about true love puts a knot in their chances.

Hedging Your Bets by Jayne Denker

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Opposites attract in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy of feuding neighbors and dueling hearts from Jayne Denker, the author of The Rom-Com Agenda.

Not Bad for a Girl by Anastasia Ryan

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From hilariously awkward lunch breaks to cringe-worthy Zoom calls, this workplace comedy of errors is sure to put a smile on your face.

Never Blow a Kiss by Lindsay Lovise

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In this delightfully witty Victorian romance, a governess spy running away from her past falls for an ex-soldier turned railroad magnate—perfect for fans of Manda Collins and Bridgerton!

Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

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In this utterly charming debut romance, a teacher with big dreams joins forces with a no-nonsense engineer to survive an ex’s wedding and escape matchmaking pressure from their Indian families. Their plan? Faking an engagement, of course.

Love, Me by Jessica Saunders

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Reminiscent of novels by Sophie Kinsella and Rebecca Serle, Love, Me is a sweet, honest foray into love, marriage, and the fantasy of a second-chance romance with the one that got away. Readers will find this lively debut romance book easy to devour and hard to put down.

Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Review
A swoon-worthy debut queer Victorian romance in which two debutantes distract themselves from having to seek husbands by setting up their widowed parents, and instead find their perfect match in each other—the lesbian Bridgerton/Parent Trap you never knew you needed!

Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden

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After a day of unrivaled disappointments, a promising young chef finds every bite of food suddenly tastes bitter. To save her career, she travels to the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with her estranged mom, and discovers a family legacy she never suspected in this delicious novel from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday

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Fate brings together a ballet teacher and a hockey player in this big-hearted novel about second chances and taking risks by the bestselling author Entertainment Weekly calls the “master of witty banter.”

Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan

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A charming opposites-attract romance, Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan is for anyone who ever stepped outside their comfort zone and found that all the best things can happen when you take a chance.

The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

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The disappearance of a mysterious informant leads two people desperate for answers to an island of deadly deception in this new novel in the Lost Night Files trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.

The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews

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Fortune favors the bold—but is a confirmed spinster daring enough to loosen the reins and accept a favor from the wicked gentleman who haunts her dreams?

Principles of (E)motion by Sara Read

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Lessons in Chemistry meets advanced mathematics in Sara Read’s heartwarming, STEMinist novel, PRINCIPLES OF (E)MOTION follows a female genius who solves a famously elusive math problem only to struggle with anxiety and prejudice when challenged to prove that the work is her own.

What January romance books are you looking forward to reading? Tell us in the comments below!

The post From Sweet To Spicy: New Romance Books To Read In January 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Book Releases To Check Out In January 2024

Elise Dumpleton — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 22:00:00 +0000

January is starting off with a bang thanks to the incredible books hitting shelves this month! From new releases from authors such as Sarah J, Maas, Heather Fawcett, Alex Michaelides, and many more, so read on to discover just a few of the books releasing that you should keep an eye out for!

Want to see even more books releasing this year? Check out our Most Anticipated list!

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt’s world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.

The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

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From the author of New York Times bestseller House of Hollow comes a darkly seductive witchy thriller where, though both men and demons lurk in shadows, girls refuse to go quietly into the night.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late, in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

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In this romantic fantasy of manners from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft, a magical dressmaker commissioned for a royal wedding finds herself embroiled in scandal when a gossip columnist draws attention to her undeniable chemistry with the groom.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

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A masterfully paced thriller about a reclusive ex–movie star and her famous friends whose spontaneous trip to a private Greek island is upended by a murder ― from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient.

The Longest Autumn by Amy Avery

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For fans of Ariadne, a spellbinding debut fantasy about a human who gets trapped with the god of Autumn, who brings with him life-threatening danger and a forbidden romance.

Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty

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Gourav Mohanty’s Sons of Darkness is The House of the Dragon meets Succession in an epic reimagining of The Mahabharata.

Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

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From the celebrated New York Times bestselling author of Such a Fun Age comes a fresh and provocative story about a residential assistant and her messy entanglement with a professor and three unruly students.

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

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Whip-smart and immersive, this Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows a gods-blessed heroine who’s forced to choose between saving her sister or protecting her homeland.

Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

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New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins returns with a twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind.

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

Picasso’s Lovers by Jeanne Mackin

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A tangled and vivid portrait of the women caught in Picasso’s charismatic orbit through the affairs, the scandals, and the art—only this time, they hold the brush.

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

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Inescapably romantic and brimming with New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

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A dazzling magical realism western in the vein of Cormac McCarthy meets Gabriel García Márquez, The Bullet Swallower follows a Mexican bandido as he sets off for Texas to save his family, only to encounter a mysterious figure who has come, finally, to collect a cosmic debt generations in the making.

What January 2024 book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Book Releases To Check Out In January 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Most Anticipated 2024 Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:00:05 +0000

The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Well, 2024 is almost here so it’s time to start thinking about all of the books which will be heading your way! In this round up, we take a look at an array of highly anticipated books releasing between the months of January and June! You can expect new releases from the likes of Sarah J. Maas, Jay Kristoff, Ali Hazelwood, Kristin Hannah, Stephen King, Tana French, Sally Hepworth, Leigh Bardugo, and many more, plus some dazzling debuts.

You’ll find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other January to June 2024 lists, which we’ll be releasing over the next couple of weeks! This article will also get updated with those links so you can easily find them… Your poor TBR!

You can find our Swoonworthy Romance Releases here, Anticipated YA Releases here, and our SFF releases here.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’ll be picking up any!

JANUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

The Longest Autumn by Amy Avery

Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

FEBRUARY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from the Edgar-winning, multiple Hugo-nominated Robert Jackson Bennett

The Women by Kristin Hannah

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From master storyteller Kristin Hannah comes the story of a turbulent, transformative era in America: the 1960s. The Women is that rarest of novels—at once an intimate portrait of a woman coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided by war and broken by politics, of a generation both fueled by dreams and lost on the battlefield.

Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

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A stunning Romantasy debut about an enchanted library, two handsome Fae, and one human who brings them all together.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is an epic love story one hundred years in the making…

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury

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After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey launches a super sexy sports romance duology with a rom-com about a bad boy professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan…

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

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A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa

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Set in 19th century Sri Lanka and inspired by local folklore, the daughter of a traditional demon-priest—relentlessly bullied by peers and accused of witchcraft herself—tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been terrorizing her coastal village.

My Throat An Open Grave by Tori Bovalino

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Labyrinth meets folk horror in this darkly romantic tale of a girl who wishes her baby brother away to the Lord of the Wood.

How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly

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Chemistry sizzles in this workplace rom-com set in the world of high school basketball as the author of Love & Other Disasters delivers a sapphic romance full of humour and heart.

MARCH 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Murder Road by Simone St. James

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A young couple find themselves haunted by a string of gruesome murders committed along an old deserted road in this terrifying new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Cold Cases.

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

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In a country divided between humans and witchers, Venus Stoneheart hustles as a brewer making illegal love potions to support her family.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

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For fans of Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club, an enormously fun mystery about a woman who spends her entire life trying to prevent her foretold murder only to be proven right sixty years later, when she is found dead in her sprawling country estate…. Now it’s up to her great-niece to catch the killer.

The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black

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An imprisoned prince. A vengeful queen. And a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes the stunning blood-soaked conclusion to the Stolen Heir duology.

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

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New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a mesmerizing novel about a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death

The Hunter by Tana French

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From the writer who is “in a class by herself,” (The New York Times), a nuanced, atmospheric tale that explores what we’ll do for our loved ones, what we’ll do for revenge, and what we sacrifice when the two collide.

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison

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Luck is its own kind of magic, in this first book in an electrifying new contemporary fantasy series from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows novels.

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter

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A humorous and unique rom-com that sees two wedding crashers fall for each other. This intriguing premise delivers on its promise with so much feeling and so much fun.

In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati-Alexander

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The author of Love Buzz follows her acclaimed first novel with a delightful Caribbean-set romp about an ambitious designer of apocalyptic video games with a strategy for (almost) everything who discovers what happens when her best-laid plans go off course . . .

The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and The Lioness, a Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder in this twisting tale of organized crime, cryptocurrency, and family secrets on the Las Vegas strip.

The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist by Sophie Gonzales

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A fanfic writer brings her favourite TV character to life in this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers novel full of humour and heart.

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff

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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes the much-anticipated sequel to the #1 international bestselling sensation Empire of the Vampire.

APRIL 2024 BOOK RELEASES

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age.

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

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In this magical epic fantasy, a young woman cursed with the power of death must decide if saving her family is worth betraying her country—the first installation of a gripping new series.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

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A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

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A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass

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The Paris Apartment meets The Wrong Family, this thrilling tale of crime, passion and murder is set in a run-down apartment complex packed with shady characters willing to go to deadly lengths to keep their darkest secrets from the stranger in their midst.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

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From the author of the multimillion bestselling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and Five Survive comes a new true-crime fueled mystery thriller about a girl determined to uncover the shocking truth about her missing mother while filming a documentary on the unsolved case.

She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

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An ICU nurse accidentally uncovers a patient’s frightening past in this chilling thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing and Just the Nicest Couple.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

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The author of Kiss Her Once for Me returns with a new queer rom-com following once childhood best friends forced together to drive their former teacher across the country.

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

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When a Mariachi star transfers schools, he expects to be handed his new group’s lead vocalist spot—what he gets instead is a tenacious current lead with a very familiar, very kissable face.

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

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Zetian must balance dangerous politics with a new quest for vengeance in the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Iron Widow, a blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

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A sexy, sapphic, opposites-attract romance with Mazey Eddings’ signature sparkling voice!

Knife by Salman Rushdie

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From internationally renowned writer and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring—and surviving—an attempt on his life thirty years after the fatwa that was ordered against him

MAY 2024 BOOK RELEASES

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

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Step into a city where monsters feast on human emotions, knights split their souls to make their weapons, and witches always take more than they give.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

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Christina Lauren, the instant New York Times bestselling and “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar), returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance.

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants comes the much-anticipated sequel to the Thurber Prize-Winning novel The Guncle, in which Patrick O’Hara is called back to his guncle duties… this time for a big family wedding in Italy.

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

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June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

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Harkening to Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None, this high-tension and ingenious thriller follows five couples trapped on a storm-swept island as a killer stalks among them.

The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood

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A romantic historical fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood, set in the American Civil War with vampires and people with demigod-like abilities.

It Waits in the Forest by Sarah Dass

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The very first thriller from Rick Riordan Presents! Drawing from the darkest corners of Caribbean mythology, acclaimed author Sarah Dass crafts a chilling tale of magic, murder, and how far we’ll go to protect what’s ours—perfect for fans of Angeline Boulley and Tiffany D. Jackson.

Evocation by S.T. Gibson

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When a family curse threatens David’s life, he will turn to the only person he’s ever trusted, his ex-boyfriend, Rhys—which means he will have to open his heart to Moira, Rhys’s wife. Dark academia and urban fantasy combine in this richly imagined novel set in a fictitious, magic-riddled Boston.

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

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The Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. That is her curse to bear. But when a young woman who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet debut novel of magic, hope, and love overcoming all.

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

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From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary new collection of twelve short stories, many never-before-published, and some of his best EVER.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

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An achingly nostalgic love story about two friends-with-benefits who can’t be together but can’t seem to stay apart. This Summer Will Be Different offers an idyllic coastal setting, enticing vacation descriptions, and a story that is equal parts sexy romance and female friendship. It has all the ingredients for another book of the summer!

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

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In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told by several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The novel cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

JUNE 2024 BOOK RELEASES

Enlightenment by Sarah Perry

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A dazzling new work of literary fiction from the author of The Essex Serpent, a story of love and astronomy told over the course of twenty years through the lives of two improbable best friends.

Daydream by Hannah Grace

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The third in the New York Times bestselling Maple Hills series follows fan-favourite Henry and a bookish fellow student who come up with a plan to help them both overcome their respective challenges in a difficult year.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

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In the latest jaw-dropping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager, a man must contend with the long-ago disappearance of his childhood best friend—and the dark secrets lurking just beyond the safe confines of his picture-perfect neighbourhood.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

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New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center’s latest laugh out loud, feel good rom-com about writing your own story, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Christina Lauren.

Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse

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The interwoven destinies of the people of Meridian will finally be determined in this stunning conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky trilogy.

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu

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Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter, the dazzling sequel to #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu’s Stars and Smoke, is “a brilliant, breathtaking ride” – Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally bestselling author.

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

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In her breathtaking debut – part space odyssey, part Sapphic rom-com – Emily Hamilton weaves a suspenseful, charmingly irreverent, and ultimately joyous tale of galaxy-spanning friendship, improbable love, and found family.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

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The heart-tugging and hilarious story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past, by the bestselling author of Same Time Next Summer and Nora Goes Off Script.

The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

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For fans of Piranesi and The Midnight Library, a stunning historical fantasy novel set on a grand express train, about a group of passengers on a dangerous journey across a magical landscape

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

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New York Times bestselling author and TikTok sensation Kalynn Bayron returns to fairytales with a lush, thrilling and original YA Snow White retelling that brings a new and exciting voice to this familiar tale. Perfect for fans of Cinderella Is Dead.

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

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A struggling writer is forced to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating in this fresh romantic comedy from Laura Hankin.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

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Horror Movie is an obsessive, psychologically chilling, and suspenseful feat of storytelling genius that builds inexorably to an unforgettable, mind-bending conclusion.

What 2024 book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Most Anticipated 2024 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

January 2023 Romance Book Releases

Elise Dumpleton — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:00:12 +0000

Get ready to swoon as there are so many delightful romance book releases heading your way this January! From new releases from Helena Hunting, Lana Harper, and Ali Hazelwood, to exciting debuts from Lauren Kung Jessen and Taleen Voskuni, there’s something for each romance fan to love!

The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Vibrantly funny, endearingly sweet, and a love letter to all things rom com, Jayne Denker’s The Rom Com Agenda is a story of two people finding love right when they least expect it.

The Reunion by Kayla Olson
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When two former teen stars reconnect at the reunion for their hit TV show, they discover their feelings for one another were not merely scripted in this charming and heartwarming novel perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.

A Love by Design by Elizabeth Everett
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You couldn’t design a better hero than the very eligible and extremely charming Earl Grantham. Unless, of course, you are Margaret Gault, who wants nothing to do with the man who broke her youthful heart.

You Should Smile More by Anastasia Ryan
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When Vanessa Blair is fired because of her “resting bitch face,” her friends help her launch a revenge plan that’ll bring down the whole company.

One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
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When his sister’s betrothed vanishes the night before her politically arranged marriage, Raff Barden must track and return the elusive groom to restore his family’s honour.

A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase
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The journey of a thousand miles begins with sequins and a beehive wig in this sharply funny and achingly tender debut novel about mothers, daughters, and the surprising power of Elvis.

Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
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A romance novel–obsessed social media influencer revisits her exes on her hunt for true love in this romantic comedy from the author of Set On You.

Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters
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Fans of Abby Jimenez and Meryl Wilsner will fall in love with this hilarious and refreshingly authentic novel about second chances, pugs, and finding the perfect muse . . .

Make a Wish by Helena Hunting
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With her signature charm, Hunting completes the Spark sisters’ trilogy in Make a Wish, a second chance-romance sure to leave you reeling.

Midnight Duet by Jen Comfort
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From The Astronaut and the Star author Jen Comfort comes a wildly electric romance about two musicians who collide on the stage of a Nevada opera house.

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper
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An awkward first date leads to a sparkling romance between one of the most powerful witches in town and a magical newbie in this rom-com.

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
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This sweet, enemies-to-lovers debut rom-com filled with Chinese astrology will undoubtedly prove to be a perfect match with readers of Helen Hoang, Jasmine Guillory, and Helena Hunting.

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
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An Armenian-American woman rediscovers her roots and embraces who she really is in this vibrant and heartfelt queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni.

Do I Know You? By Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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When a couple starts to feel like they’re married to a stranger, a flirtatious game of pretend becomes the spark they need to reignite their relationship.

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
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With writing Jasmine Guillory has described as “emotional and real,” the acclaimed author of Love Lettering and Love at First weaves stories both transporting and relatable – modern love stories that readers immediately identify with and take to heart. Wise and witty, threaded through with a complex, emotionally fulfilling romance, Kate Clayborn’s unforgettable new novel echoes with timely questions about love, career, reconciling with the past, and finding your way.

Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a collection of steamy, STEMinist novellas featuring a trio of engineers and their loves in loathing—with a special bonus chapter!

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

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