I’ve always been in love with stories. My earliest memories are begging adults to read to me.  Once I learned how to arrange letters into words and sentences, I carried a book wherever I went in case a minute or two of downtime presented itself and I could lose myself in a story. But while my allegiance will always be to the written word, in high school I started a passionate affair with stories told with pictures, from comic books to television series to films. I went to film school – although unlike Sutton in Love and Other Hollywood Endings, no crush on a professor – and worked in the entertainment industry for many years after. And when you work in Hollywood, you soon learn the seasons: summer box office, fall TV, and, perhaps the most festive of all, award season – which is happening right now!

To celebrate award season, which comes to its peak in March with the upcoming Oscars, here are some recommended romances set in the glamorous (but not always!), competitive, frustrating but rewarding and always highly entertaining world of show biz – with love stories that deserve all the gold statues.

Act Like It by Lucy Parker

The first book in Parker’s London Celebrities series sets the stage – literally – in London’s West End, as the two stars of a theatrical production agree to fake date to save falling ticket sales, but maybe they aren’t just acting…. The banter is delightful and the chemistry smokes. Perfect for readers who feel the real award season happens in June when the Tonys are handed out.

Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren

Carter and Evie are both high powered agents who hit it off at a Halloween party – only to discover when their agencies merge, there’s room for only one of them. Cue the flying sparks as the war to see who will come out on top commences in this sparkling romcom battle of the wills. If you’ve ever wondered why actors thank their agents in their award acceptance speeches, look no further.

The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky

For some, the best entertainment begins and ends with reality shows – especially game shows. Holden James, the main character of The (Fake) Dating Game, would agree. Appearing on Madcap Market would be culmination of a lifelong dream, but Holden’s partner just dumped him and the show requires contestants to be in couples. Can he and the oh so sexy concierge at his LA hotel he just met convince the show’s casting directors they are indeed the real thing so they can win the big cash prize? For anyone who’s ever been tempted to audition for their favorite reality show!

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

Ship Wrecked takes readers behind the scenes of the cultural phenomenon Gods of the Gates – think Game of Thrones – for a lovers to friends to lovers tale that gives all the feels (also the title of the previous book in Dade’s Spoiler Alert series). Readers curious about what happens when the cameras stop rolling on their favorite big budget television series will very much enjoy watching co-stars Peter and Maria learn how to mutually find their way to their happily ever after ever, with the found family camaraderie of the production crew as they film on a remote island an added bonus.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

The deliciously soapy world of telenovelas takes the spotlight in You Had Me at Hola. Jasmine and Ashton are smart, ambitious actors who must make their on-screen pairing convincing if they want to reach their career goals – but when rehearsing in private leads to explosive personal chemistry, the resulting media attention might tear down dreams and expose secrets. Daria includes scenes from the telenovela, comparing and contrasting reel and real life, making this fun, passionate romance the number one choice for readers interested in the boundary between creating fantasy in front of the camera and the reality when the cameras are off.

Reel by Kennedy Ryan

Neevah Saint is an actress looking for her big break. Canon Holt is the director who gives her that break, casting her as the lead in his biopic about a 1930s Harlem Renaissance singer. It’s a tale as old as Hollywood – but Kennedy Ryan breathes fiery, captivating new life into her story of two talented individuals who follow their passions, creative and otherwise, even as the world is arranged against them.  Reel is an award-worthy romance for all seasons.

It Happened One Fight by Maureen Lee Lenker

If your favorite part of watching award shows on television is seeing clip montages from timeless Hollywood films, then It Happened One Fight is for you!  Set in Tinseltown during the 1930s, Joan Davis and Dash Howard are America’s Favorite Sweethearts on the screen – but off screen, Joan is through with Dash’s needling and attempts to get a rise out of her. She thinks she’s found her perfect escape from his orbit – only to learn one of his pranks was all too real and they are, in fact, legally married. The romance novel version of a classic screwball comedy, It Happened One Fight is an ode to Hollywood of yore — and a great choice to cap off your award season reading!

The post Seven Showstopping Romance Recs From Author Susannah Erwin appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Now available from bookstores, Codename Charming is a delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior.

Managed by Kristen Callihan

Kristen Callihan’s Managed became an instant grumpy/sunshine classic from the day it released—and for good reason. On her way to London for a job interview, the incredibly likeable Sophie ends up sitting next to Gabriel “Scottie” Scott, the tightly-buttoned, grouchy manager of one of the world’s most popular rock bands. They’re oil and water, but the reluctant sparks are there from the beginning, and when they end up working and touring together, and chronic insomniac Gabriel discovers that he can relax and sleep for the first time…as long as it’s cuddled up next to Sophie, the path is laid for one of my all-time favourite pairings.

The War Priest by Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre excels at opposites-attract pairings (for anyone who enjoys sci-fi romance, I also highly recommend Renegade Love, in which an abducted human heroine is taken yet again, this time by the universe’s most feared bounty hunter, Toth Krag, who’s been trained as the ultimate weapon of destruction and vengeance, taught to follow orders without question—and who falls like a ton of bricks for the strange “Tiny Nightmare” who’s having none of it.)

In her paranormal series “Ars Numina”, however, The War Priest is one of my favourite romances of the past few years; it sees another unlikely pairing in a soul-singing, soft-hearted lynx shifter and the bear-shifter warrior monk she adores. He’s taken vows of celibacy, there’s a war knocking on the door, and every chance that neither of them will survive the coming weeks—and the bond between them is so heartfelt it just resonates off the page.

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

I have a long list of beloved tropes, but grumpy/sunshine and fake dating will always be top-tier for me, and Alexandria Bellefleur’s totally delightful rom-com Written in the Stars hits on both counts—and in every other way. After a terrible blind date, straight-laced, practical Darcy and starry-eyed astrologer Elle are in no doubt whatsoever that they haven’t met their perfect match. However, when Darcy skews the truth to avoid any further family matchmaking, the pair find themselves embroiled in deception, having to pull off the image of romantic bliss until New Year’s Eve. Naturally, sparks begin to fly, and their journey from “absolutely not” to soulmates is witty, sexy, and an instant comfort-read.

Coldest Fire by Juliette Cross

Taking a turn into urban fantasy, an icy archangel set on vengeance is forced to call on a human witch for help, a woman he remembers with bitterness from one of the worst moments of his existence—but as they fight against a common enemy, they both realise that the other isn’t what they assumed. Coldest Fire is another excellent romance from Cross and the epitome of love and light triumphing over evil.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Talia Hibbert’s writing is just a pure joy to read—even when it’s packing an absolute emotional punch, it remains a comfort read, because she infuses every paragraph with such warmth and love, for her characters, for their world, and for the story, in a way that draws the reader in and makes them immediately part of the experience. The first in the Brown Sisters trilogy was one of my first Talia Hibbert books, so holds a place in my heart—but I think Eve’s story is my favourite of the trilogy. 

On the surface, Eve is the epitome of the sunshine character, but she’s worked to have that positive attitude despite her earlier dreams not turning out as she’d hoped—and when she meets Jacob, the grumpy B&B owner (…and then accidentally runs him over), she can let her guard down for the first time, and the two find strength in each other. Through what they become together, they can more clearly see themselves for who they are as individuals. It’s a beautiful book and an amazing love story.

Hunt the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

Part of Alexandra Ivy’s paranormal “Guardians of Eternity” series, Hunt the Darkness is the happy-ever-after of vampire clan leader Roke—notorious for his icy, practical nature—and the unintentionally chaotic (and lonely) witch Sally. After Sally accidentally casts a spell that triggers Roke’s “true mate” instinct, the pair find themselves seemingly irrevocably tied together—to their equal horror. It’s a road-trip romance as Sally takes off to find a way to break this seeming curse, with Roke in hot pursuit, as like it or not, she’s his mate and in potential danger. As they transition from enemies to reluctant allies and then lovers—with the well-intentioned but disastrous assistance of a tiny gargoyle named Levet—it’s an excellent mix of adventure and romance. 

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau

It’s a Jackie Lau romance called “Grumpy Fake Boyfriend”; it couldn’t have been more obvious this would land on my keeper shelf if there were neon signs pointing at it. I adore Lau’s writing—it’s warm and heartfelt, but it’s also frequently laugh-out-loud funny. I loved the banter between sci-fi writer Will and event-planner Naomi, as the introvert and the extrovert pretend to be dating, in order to help Naomi save face in front of an ex. A relatively low-angst, warm hug of a story, like all of Lau’s novels, in which two very different people find common ground and accept and love each other for who they are.

The post Lucy Parker’s Grumpy-Sunshine Romance Book Recommendations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover just a few of our August romance picks and tell us in the comments below which ones you’re looking forward to!

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Curves for Days by Laura Moher
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

The Love Plot by Samantha Young
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

New Adult by Timothy Janovsky
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

The Witch Is Back by Sophie H. Morgan
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Love is a hex of a thing. Former childhood sweethearts fake a relationship in this charming, witchy romcom.

Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A smart, modern Rom-Com about a witch banished from her coven who seeks help from the only person who can prove she’s not a threat to witchkind: her annoyingly immortal childhood crush.

Codename Charming by Lucy Parker
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Following Battle Royal, beloved author Lucy Parker pens another delicious romantic comedy about a fake relationship between a grumpy royal bodyguard and the charming, sunny assistant who melts his cold, hard exterior.

The Déjà Glitch by Holly James
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

To break out of a 24-hour time loop, all Jack needs is for Gemma to fall in love with him in a single day. All Gemma needs is to remember him first . . .

In Charm’s Way by Lana Harper
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A witch struggling to regain what she has lost casts a forbidden spell—only to discover much more than she expected, in this enchanting new rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Lana Harper.

Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the author of THE MATZAH BALL and MR. PERFECT ON PAPER comes this hilarious and emotional rivals-to-lovers romance.

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

What August 2023 romance reads are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

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

As far as my favorite activities go, reading romance books and eating tasty food are both way up there. So when I can combine them by reading a swoony romance featuring mouthwatering descriptions of food, I am fully here for it. In all of the books featured here, falling in love is delicious both literally and figuratively.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

In this absolutely delightful confection by Lucy Parker, two bakers must fight it out to see which one will earn the chance to bake the royal wedding cake. Sylvie is known for her colorful hair, glittery baked goods, and fanciful candy animals. Dominic is known for stately monochrome perfection and the lollipop stick up his ass. They might start off enemies, but as they’re forced to spend more time together in competition, the heat they begin to generate might melt all that sugar into caramel.

I literally laughed out loud the whole way through this hilarious romp. Sylvie and Dominic captured my heart as they slowly broke each other’s walls down to find the soft gooey vulnerabilities beneath. I finished the book feeling not just sad that it was over, but that I couldn’t actually visit their bakeries in real life. It’s a good thing I’m already married, because if I was wedding planning right now, I’d be disappointed by any cake that didn’t come from Sugar Fair.

So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

A main character who runs a Korean cooking YouTube channel and meal prep service? I’m so in. Jessie Kim’s had enough of the racism and sexism in investment banking, and has to move home to figure out the next step in her career. Which involves not just the YouTube channel and meal prep service mentioned before, but a sweet love story with her main childhood enemy, Daniel.

I couldn’t get enough of the mouthwatering descriptions of Korean food depicted in Jessie’s channel, or the hilarious antics Jessie’s mother gets into as she does her best to “help” with it. This book was also a really fun look at the business side of the food world, as Jessie grows into herself and gets her food out to an audience eager for it.

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

As you might guess from the plot of my own book, I have a thing for books set on cooking reality shows. In this book, the titular Rosaline Palmer must battle her way through a British baking show, which might also involve falling for not just one but two men.

While this book leans heavier on Rosaline’s journey and her food than the romance, it is a joy to devour. Reading through each of Rosaline’s bakes and the creations of her competitors will make you crave cupcakes and crumpets. I’m already salivating for the next book in this series!

Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Watching a fake-dating relationship turn into a real-dating relationship is the second-best thing ever—the first is, of course, when that transformation involves a lot of cooking and food descriptions. Which this book does. Reena, the main character, wants to enter the biggest food competition show around, except they’re only casting couples. Why not team up with the hot guy across the hall? Even if there are some complicated family dynamics intertwined with their budding friendship? And even if Reena still has some personal journeys to go on herself?

I loved Reena as soon as I read that she named her sourdough starters. Reading about all the different kinds of bread she bakes made me want to go buy out a bakery. (Special shout-out to the challah—my heroine Sadie approves!) And I loved learning more about East African Indian food and the discourse about not dumbing her family’s cuisine down for a Western palate. I can’t wait to make the Zanzibar egg curry recipe included in the back of the book!

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Albertson

Spoiler alert: this Romeo and Juliet retelling fortunately has a much happier ending than that of its inspiration. While their families are bitter enemies thanks to a stolen taco recipe many years ago, celebrity chef Julieta is forced to work for fast food magnate Ramón. There’s all sorts of tensions between them of both the literal variety and the sexual variety. Will the two of them overcome their families’ history to find a new start together?

Make sure you’ve got all the ingredients ready, because this book is going to make you crave tacos and all sorts of delicious Mexican food. But the world of Barrio Logan that the author builds is just as rich and vibrant, as are the important issues of gentrification and identity that the plot explores.

Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander

Sorry in advance, because this queer romance isn’t out until May, but trust me: it’s worth the wait. Pastry chef Simone has her dream job developing recipes at a food magazine, and she doesn’t need the super-friendly, super-hot nonbinary kitchen manager Ray getting their messy feelings all over her tidy, well-ordered life. But when Simone and Ray are tasked with creating a new video series together, and transphobia from some of their coworkers threatens Ray’s job and their health, Simone starts to realize that maybe she does have feelings for Ray after all.

This book presented a major dilemma: how could I bake the winter squash galette and chocolate-on-chocolate trifle that it made me crave without having to put the book down? Simone’s voice was both relatable and hilarious as she learned to loosen up, and her slow burn romance with Ray was tender, sweet, and hot. I desperately want to go to their dinner party (with Simone cooking and Ray hosting, of course).

Sadie on a Plate by Amanda Elliot

I couldn’t leave my own book off a list like this! Having just been fired by her ex-boyfriend/boss (yes, bad decision), Sadie is ecstatic to receive an invitation to compete on her favorite reality TV show, Chef Supreme. Surely that will revive her flailing career, right? And it’s a bonus when she has a meet-cute and a whirlwind date with the hot guy sitting next to her on the plane there. But when she turns up to set the next day and realizes that he’s the new judge, she’s going to have to keep the heat between them tamped down so that the pot doesn’t boil over and get her kicked off the show.

My book is less a romance with food than a romance about food. Because the main characters aren’t able to vocalize their feelings without consequences for most of the story, they use food as a substitute to tell the other person who they are and how they feel and what they want. I hope it makes you laugh, makes you feel happy, and above all, makes you crave the food!

The post 7 Foodie Romances to Fall in Love With (and Make You Hungry) appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Everyone loves a good Netflix binge, but sometimes it’s nice to put down the popcorn and snuggle up with a good book. Actually, you can keep the popcorn, because it pairs just as well with these amazing reads as it does with your flatscreen.

If you can’t figure out what to read next, here’s a handy dandy guide to books you might like based on your viewing favorites:

If you like Cinderella, you should read IF THE SHOE FITS by Julie Murphy
Everyone is talking about Cinderella these days, thanks to Amazon Studios’s new adaption of this classic fairytale, starring Camila Cabelo in the title role. Whether Camila is your new fave fairytale princess or you still live for Lily James and her pretty glass butterfly shoes, you will enjoy THE SHOE FITS by Julie Murphy. Murphy, author of Dumplin’ (also a fab Netflix movie), brings us a modern, body-positive Cinderella who competes on a Bachelor-style reality show. This book is the first in a new series of adult Disney Princess romcoms from Disney Hyperion, so there’s even more fairy tale magic to come.

If you like Never Have I Ever, you should read DIAL A FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Who isn’t completely charmed by the creative brain of Mindy Kaling? Based somewhat on Kaling’s own upbringing, this coming-of-age story of an Indian-American teenager dealing with the death of her father will make you laugh one minute and get all teary-eyed the next. One of the best things about the show is its emphasis on family. If you love this Netflix treat, DIAL A FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the read for you. When the main character accidentally kills her blind date (oops!), her mom and an entire squad of meddlesome-but-well-meaning aunties comes to her rescue. Things only get more complicated (and more hilarious) from there.

If you like You’ve Got Mail, you should read TO SIR, WITH LOVE by Lauren Layne

You’ve Got Mail is an oldie but a goody, and since its release in 1988, this Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks treasure has inspired loads of romcom novels. One of the very best is this summer’s TO SIR WITH LOVE by Lauren Layne. It’s like You’ve Got Mail with a heaping dose of champagne. Yes, please.

If you like Ted Lasso, you should read THE BROMANCE BOOK CLUB by Lyssa Kay Adams

Ted Lasso has made kindness cool again, just when we needed it most. If you want to feel those same warm fuzzies, complete with sports team vibes (baseball instead of soccer, but still…) and men supporting one another in a healthy way while uplifting the romance literary genre at the same time, head to your nearest online bookstore and one-click THE BROMANCE BOOK CLUB by Lyssa Kay Adams immediately.

If you like Grace and Frankie, you should read MOM JEANS AND OTHER MISTAKES, by Alexa Martin

Alexa Martin’s MOM JEANS AND OTHER MISTAKES is a great read for anyone drawn to the strong female friendship storyline in Grace and Frankie. The main characters are a bit younger, but just like in the Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin Netflix favorite, they become unexpected roommates and the supporting cast of family members provide lots of drama and laughs.

If you like The Great British Baking Show, you should read BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker

Soggy bottom, anyone? If you’ve ever dreamed of whipping up a batch of cupcakes worthy of that ever-elusive Paul Hollywood handshake, BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker is definitely your jam. It’s like a royal wedding meets THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW, and fair warning: you will definitely want to have some cake on hand while reading it. Trust me on this.

If you like Fleabag, you should read HOT UNDER THE COLLAR by Andie J. Christopher

Let’s be real. When I say Fleabag, I’m specifically talking about season two and the Hot Priest (which absolutely deserves to be capitalized). If you’re still longing for those episodes or even just rocking your fabulous black Fleabag jumpsuit, HOT UNDER THE COLLAR by Andie J. Christopher will fill that aching void in your heart.

If you like Emily in Paris, you should read THE PARIS CONNECTION by Lorraine Brown

Emily in Paris has left hordes of us crying into our croissants and wondering why we never moved to France and accidentally fell in love with charming chef downstairs. If you enjoyed Netflix’s romp through the City of Lights starring Lily Collins and her amazing wardrobe, you will adore THE PARIS CONNECTION by Lorraine Brown. This delightful new book has the same magical armchair tourist quality and plenty of will-they-ever-get-together angst. Fantastique!

If you like Cruella, you should read A SPOT OF TROUBLE by Teri Wilson

If Cruella has you seeing spots (the good, furry Dalmatian kind), I’ve got you covered. A SPOT OF TROUBLE was written by yours truly, and it’s a whimsical romantic comedy for anyone who loves Emma Stone in Cruella or Disney’s other 101 Dalmatians movies. Bonus: no one wants to make a coat out of the sweet dogs. I promise.

Will you be picking up Teri’s new release? Tell us in the comments below!

The post What To Read Next: Popular Movies & TV Shows Paired With Rom-Com Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

As far as first sentences go, Battle Royal did not come to play. Meet Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere, two bakers who couldn’t be more different. Dominic is a revered baking show judge who is known for his stoic demeanour, minimalistic cakes, and rules the baking world with an iron fist. Sylvie, meanwhile, has never met a baked good she couldn’t improve with a dash of colourful glitter and is sunshine personified. Years after a very traumatic encounter on the baking show Operation Cake that ended with Dominic nearly getting decapitated by a unicorn cake prop and Sylvie being eliminated from the competition, the two of them find themselves next to each other on the judging panel and the tension is high. The rivalry between the two only grows stronger when it’s announced they’re competing to bake the cake for an upcoming royal wedding. But while cake batter, glitter and witty jabs may fill the air whenever Dominic and Sylvie are in the same room, the one thing that’s going in for the kill may just be the sparks neither of them expected.

Battle Royal joins the ranks of the new boom of baking-show related romcoms, a trend I am here for wholeheartedly. Sylvie and Dominic’s rivalry made for a great recipe. From their baking styles to their personality, the amount of times the two butted heads and competed in unofficial snark battles was fun to witness. Granted, Dominic took me quite a while to get used to—some of the things he says and thinks made for some cringey moments and I don’t think the way he initially treats Sylvie is quite redeemed in the novel—but once he opened up and showed more of his vulnerable side, like having trouble expressing himself on an emotional level when he likes someone, he got more intriguing as a character.  Sylvie, meanwhile, had all of my heart because she’s the kind of woman who takes charge, won’t let her standards and beliefs be compromised and certainly won’t stop being colourful just to please someone else. If you’re looking for a fierce romance heroine, you’ve got one in Sylvie.

Parker also knows how to make secondary characters feel real,from the royal couple to the people in Sylvie’s and Domnic’s lives—staff, family members, friends—everyone felt like they could jump right off the pages. There were quite a few mini-stories on top of Sylvie’s and Dominic’s romance and while that was great because it added a lot of depth to the protagonists, it also means that at times a lot is going on in this book and that pulls the focus in a few different directions and inadvertently muddles the pacing. With all the storylines going on, the last third of the book has a lot to resolve and deal with and even set up for the next book in the series and that was a lot to handle. But with characters this eccentric and interesting, you can’t really blame Parker for wanting to spend more time with them—I certainly didn’t. I can’t wait for the second installment in the Palace Insiders series (which follows two characters from this book and promises to be a wild ride!)

While this is for the most part a lighthearted story, there are some topics that are a bit darker and definitely pack an emotional punch. Without spoiling too much, there is talk of grief and child neglect and I think Parker handled that very well, balancing it with the sweetness of the story.

All in all, if you’re a fan of baking shows and a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, Battle Royal needs to be on your beach read TBR!

Battle Royal is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of August 17th 2021.

Will you be picking up Battle Royal? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Ready…

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.

Set…

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match…

When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

The post Review: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

JULY

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

Too Good to be Real by Melonie Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

To save her job as a writer for a popular website, Julia plans to prove there’s a dozen reasons why life isn’t like a romantic comedy, only to discover the one reason it is…

How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims—the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Two people realize that it’s no longer an act when they veer off-script in this sizzling romantic comedy featuring Ben Stephens, Theo’s brother from The Wedding Party, and a famous actress as they struggle to keep things purely professional while working together.

AUGUST

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
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An ordinary summer goes royally awry when a prince and princess move next door, bringing their handsome bodyguard with them.

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
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If the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own. Best-selling author Julie Murphy’s reimaging of a beloved fairy tale is an enchanting story of self-love and believing in the happy ending each and every one of us deserves.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
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Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits. Perfect for fans of baking shows and royal love – with Parker’s signature romance kryptonite sprinkled on top!

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
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A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this heartfelt new romance by USA Today bestselling author Helen Hoang.

SEPTEMBER

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
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When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting
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Helena Hunting makes sparks fly with the best-friends-to-lovers trope! When an unexpected car accident renders event planner Avery immobile, her best friend offers to become her caretaker, and the lines between the two friends start to blur.

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria
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The national bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola returns with a seductive second-chance romance about a commitment-phobic Latina and her childhood best friend who has finally returned home.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

OCTOBER

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
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Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond
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From New York Times bestselling author Gwenda Bond, Not Your Average Hot Guy is a hilarious romantic comedy about two people falling in love, while the fate of the world rests on their shoulders.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
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New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox  
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A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas–perfect for fans of Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze and Josie Silver’s One Day in December.

NOVEMBER

A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King
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A sparkling contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in the tantalizing world of New York City burlesque, perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Roommate.

I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore
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The Hating Game meets Best in Show in this delightfully quirky romcom by beloved author Lucy Gilmore. A former pageant queen, Ruby Taylor, trades in her high heels and joins the dog show circuit, only to fall in love with one of the judges on the panel.

The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
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Julie Tieu sparkles in this debut romantic comedy, which is charmingly reminiscent of the TV show Kim’s Convenience and Frankly in Love by David Yoon, about a young woman who feels caught in the life her parents have made for her until she falls in love and finds a way out of the donut trap.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
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The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

DECEMBER

Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
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From award-winning author Rachel Lacey comes a playful romance about a Manhattan bookstore owner and a reclusive author who love to hate—and hate to love—each other.

The Love Con by Seressia Glass
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He’s cosplaying as her boyfriend but their feelings for each other are real in this romantic comedy from Seressia Glass.

Fools In Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales
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Join fifteen bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming authors as they reimagine some of the most popular tropes in the romance genre.

Hidden Treasures by Michelle Adams
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A reunited couple search for a valuable treasure, a precious jewelry box, stolen from the Nazis and hidden away since World War II, in this powerfully emotional and romantic novel of rekindled love – perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Josie Silver and Jill Santopolo.

What romance books are you looking forward to picking up between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Enjoy These Swoonworthy July to December 2021 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

With half of 2021 almost behind us, it’s now time to start looking towards the next six months, and more importantly, the new books releasing between July and December 2021! Your to-buy lists are about to become even longer as it’s packed with books you’ll want to have your hands on ASAP from debut authors, as well as releases from some favourites, including Elizabeth Lim, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Samantha Downing, Anthony Ryan, TJ Klune, and so many more!

Read on to discover a few of our picks and be sure to tell us in the comments if you are looking forward to any of them too, plus stay tuned for our genre specific round-ups!

JULY 2021

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
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A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
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Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
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Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan’s She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
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A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse… Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
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The New York Times bestselling author of the The Book of Lost Names returns with an evocative coming-of-age World War II story about a young woman who uses her knowledge of the wilderness to help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis—until a secret from her past threatens everything.

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
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From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan, Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
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In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers’s delightful new Monk & Robot series gives us hope for the future.

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
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USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson…

AUGUST 2021

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
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Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier
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A sweet, queer teen romance perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Check, Please!

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan
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The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
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From the author of the beloved national bestseller Migrations, a #1 IndieNext pick, a gorgeous and pulse-pounding new novel set in the wild Scottish Highlands.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
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Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic comes a “delicious, twisted treat for lovers of noir” about a daydreaming secretary, a lonesome enforcer, and the mystery of a missing woman they’re both desperate to find.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
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The Hating Game meets I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter in this irresistible romance starring a Mexican American teen who discovers love and profound truths about the universe when she spends her summer on a road trip across the country.

The Desert Prince by Peter V. Brett
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A brand-new epic fantasy adventure set in the beloved world of the Demon Cycle, following a new generation of heroes, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett

SEPTEMBER 2021

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling new YA fantasy about a teen girl with mythic abilities who must defend her world against restless spirits of the dead.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
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Beautiful World, Where Are You is a new novel by Sally Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People and Conversations With Friends.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
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A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
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Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.

Nice Girls by Catherine Dang
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A pulse-pounding and deviously dark debut, written with the psychological acuity and emotional punch of Luckiest Girl Alive and All the Missing Girls, that explores the hungry, angry, dark side of girlhood and dares to ask what is most dangerous to a woman: showing the world what it wants to see, or who she really is?

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
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From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, a gloriously entertaining novel of heists, shakedowns, and rip-offs set in Harlem in the 1960s.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes Empire of the Vampire, the first illustrated volume of an astonishing new dark fantasy saga.

OCTOBER 2021

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
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The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi.

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
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Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
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USA Today bestselling author Alix E. Harrow’s A Spindle Splintered brings her patented charm to a new version of a classic story.

The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski
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From award-winning author Tara Laskowski, The Mother Next Door is an atmospheric novel of domestic suspense in which the strive for perfection ends in murder…

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
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Cassandra Khaw’s Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists.

City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn
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As darkness closes in on the city of shattered light, an heiress and an outlaw must decide whether to fend for themselves or fight for each other.

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest
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A psychic travel agent and a Seattle PD detective solve a murder in this quirky mystery in the vein of Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files and Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series.

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling rom-com by Lana Harper.

NOVEMBER 2021

Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe
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A smash debut novel from rising star Yasmin Angoe, Her Name Is Knight features an elite assassin heroine on a mission to topple a human trafficking ring and avenge her family.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
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From africanfuturist luminary Okorafor comes a new science fiction novel of intense action and thoughtful rumination on biotechnology, destiny, and humanity in a near-future Nigeria.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
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Red White & Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light, featuring an Edwardian England full of magic, contracts, and conspiracies.

All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman
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The blockbuster co-writing debut of Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, All of Us Villains begins a dark tale of ambition and magick…

You Can Go Your Own Way by Eric Smith
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When a huge snowstorm hits, Adam and Whitney suddenly find themselves trapped inside the arcade. Cut off from their families, their worlds, and their responsibilities, the tension between them seems to melt away, leaving something else in its place. But what happens when the storm stops?

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
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The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

Blue-Skinned Gods by S.J. Sindu
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From the award-winning author of Marriage of a Thousand Lies comes a brilliantly written, globe-spanning novel about identity, faith, family, and sexuality.

Everything We Didn’t Say by Nicole Baart
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From the author of Little Broken Things, a “race-to-the-finish family drama” (People) following a mother who must confront the dark summer that changed her life forever in order to reclaim the daughter she left behind.

DECEMBER 2021

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich
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Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich’s “If This Gets Out is an absolute showstopper! Equal parts edgy and adorable, this bright, joyful book has everything I look for in a queer YA romance.” ―Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
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The New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep weaves a richly atmospheric adult debut following three residents of a secluded, seemingly peaceful commune as they investigate the disappearances of two outsiders.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
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The Wicked Deep meets House of Salt and Sorrows in this new standalone YA fantasy set in a snow-cloaked kingdom where witches are burned, and two enchantresses secretly compete for the heart of a prince, only to discover that they might be falling for each other.

Absynthe by Brendan Bellecourt
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In his sci-fi debut, Bellecourt explores an alternate roaring 20s where a shell-shocked soldier must uncover latent telepathic abilities to save himself and the people around him.

Safecracker by Ryan Wick
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In this wicked debut, safecracker Michael Maven must pull off the most dangerous theft of his long career–or his friends and family will be killed.

Here’s to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera reunite to continue the story of Arthur and Ben, the boys readers first fell for in the New York Times bestselling rom-com What If It’s Us.

Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino
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A whip-smart, piercing debut novel, Smile and Look Pretty follows four assistants who band together to take on their toxic office environments in the ultimate comeuppance.

I Know Your Secret by Daphne Benedis-Grab
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One of Us is Lying meets Pretty Little Liars for middle-grade readers.

What 2021 releases are you looking forward to releasing between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.