Mistakes Were Made is a spicy opposites attract, forced proximity, smalltown romance and it is the second book in Lucy Score’s Story Lake series of interconnected standalones. I would highly recommend reading Story of My Life first as it introduces readers to the smalltown of Story Lake and it nicely sets up Zoey and Gage’s story.

Mistakes Were Made features themes and topics like ADHD and neurodiversity, adoption, abuse, strained relationships with parents, self worth, perfectionism, fear of failure, loss and grief, divorce, disability, and infertility. I also want to mention that a past car accident resulting in death and permanent disability, as well as the sentencing of the driver, is mentioned quite a bit in this novel and could be triggering for some readers. 

“‘Why do you wear a disco ball around your neck?’ ‘Because I like broken, sparkly things.’”

First off, I enjoyed the imagery of the disco ball that is used throughout the novel and on the cover art. The book talks a lot about mistakes, and I love how the disco ball almost symbolises how mistakes (or broken things) can sometimes be beautiful and not always a negative thing. Furthermore, not only is the word “disco” used as a way for the main characters to be honest with each other, but physical disco balls are also used by Gage to woo Zoey, which I thought was super cute. As with book 1, I loved reading about the hilarious laugh-out-loud shenanigans that go on in the quirky yet closeknit smalltown of Story Lake; it definitely reminded me of Pawnee from Parks and Recreation so if you love that show, you’ll probably also love Story Lake! I especially loved the smalltown shenanigans involving the cute yet mischievous animals in town (like how Gage’s dog Nana puts her paws on the horn when she is left alone in a vehicle for too long). Also, as a reader, the Reader Weekend that the town puts on to celebrate the release of Zoey’s best friend Hazel’s romance book (which is based on her own love story in Story Lake) was so fun.

On the downside, the court case regarding the driver who killed Gage’s brother-in-law and permanently injured Gage’s sister was definitely more emotional and not as enjoyable to read about. Additionally, it was hard to read about Zoey constantly putting herself down (and being put down by others at times) throughout the book, usually in regard to her tendencies to make mistakes. But I appreciated that Zoey sought a diagnosis to understand herself better and I felt like her self worth was improving by the end of the novel.

I’m definitely excited to see what (and who) the next book in the Story Lake series will be about! If you enjoy spicy romances with forced proximity, opposites attract, and quaint small towns, then I highly recommend picking up a copy of Mistakes Were Made (and book 1 in the series, Story of My Life). This book is perfect fans of spicy smalltown romances like If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia, In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams, Freeing the Wild by Paisley Hope, Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver, and Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws.

Mistakes Were Made is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 10th 2026.

Will you be picking up Mistakes Were Made? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score, whose smash hit Things We Never Got Over captured millions of hearts, invites you back to Story Lake for a swoon-worthy new small town romantic comedy.

He’s looking for the perfect wife. She’s looking for the perfect one-night stand.

Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn’t like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan’s publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She’s totally broke.

All she needs is for Hazel’s next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He’s smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he’s ready to settle down.

Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it’s clear they’re all wrong for each other. She’s allergic to commitment and can’t work a calendar app; he’s looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She’s afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage’s world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.

Perfect for fans of the heart, humor, and hope found in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Left Behind, Mistakes Were Made is a steamy escape to small town romance―full of emotional twists, slow-burn tension, and Lucy Score’s trademark charm.

The post Review: Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

About She Doesn’t Have A Clue: 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 trees have been dragged to the curb, traces of tinsel glint forlornly in the corner, and the cheery scent of cinnamon and butter no longer permeate the house. It’s official – we’ve hit the winter doldrums. But we’ve got the perfect cure for those early sunsets and chilly evenings – a list of eight cozy mysteries to keep the blood pumping, with a strong twist of romance to bring the spice and melt your heart.

She Doesn’t Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke

A locked room murder mystery on a remote island at a lavish society wedding during a raging storm that features a second-chance romance? Say less! When best-selling mystery writer, Kate Valentine, shows up at her ex-fiancé/current editor’s wedding weekend, she’s hoping to find some quiet time to finish her (extremely overdue) latest novel. What she stumbles across instead is the bride’s lifeless body, staged to look like a scene out of one of Kate’s mystery novels. Now, instead of toasting the bride and groom, Kate is roasting on the hot seat as the prime suspect, and the only person on her side is Jake Hawkins – aka the Hotstralian, aka Kate’s biggest romantic regret. Will Kate catch a killer before the bouquet toss, or end up locked up before the last dance?

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Christmas may have come and gone, but Carter knows how to write a fun, sexy mystery that will keep you warm year-round. When cozy mystery queen Maggie Chase gets invited to a mysterious Christmas house party at an English estate, she can’t say no. At least until she learns that her biggest rival, Ethan Wyatt of John Grisham-style thrillers fame is also in attendance. But she’s willing to ignore his presence when she learns who their host is – the biggest mystery writer in the world, Eleanor Ashley. When Eleanor disappears from a locked room overnight, Maggie and Ethan have to work together to figure out what is fact and what is fiction as they search for the missing Duchess of Death. As the snow starts piling up, so do the clues, and the heat is on (in more ways than one). These rivals-to-lovers will have to get on the same page if they want to rescue Eleanor.

 

The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score

The latest in romance queen Score’s Riley Thorn series finds the psychic detective and her PI boyfriend taking on the last case either of them wishes to handle – Riley’s ex-husband. Someone is out to get him, and he needs Riley’s help. With a quirky cast of characters, a satisfying level of spice, and an ending you never see coming, The Body in the Backyard is an excellent addition to the series.

 

In Want of a Suspect by Tirzah Price

A spin off of her massively popular Jane Austin Murder Mystery series, In Want of a Suspect follows Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy as they investigate a warehouse fire that leaves someone dead and lands a figure from Mr. Darcy’s past at the top of the suspects list. Fans of Price’s Pride and Premeditation will love to see more of Lizzie and Darcy, and fans of Jane Austen will delight at all the in-world callbacks (hello, Dashwoods!) If the historical cozy mystery vibes and fresh perspective on a timeless classic don’t hook you on this one, the adorable cross-stitch cover design will. 

 

Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

Another delightful genre mash-up, this time bringing together paranormal and romance to tell a steamy, spooky story that will be sure to haunt you long after you’re done reading (see what we did there?). Another entry in the “enemies-to-lovers stuck in a remote mansion” category, this time we see occult specialist Riley Rhodes paired with by-the-book archaeologist Clark Edgeware as the two vie for control of an infamous Scottish castle. Danan is no stranger to flirty banter and well-executed spicy scenes, and the chemistry between Riley and Clark is no different. We’re booking our tickets to the Scottish Highlands asap.

 

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

It’s hard to imagine “is my hot neighbor possibly a serial killer?” as the perfect meet-cute, but Thompson pulls it off in this ode to the women who love true crime, and the men who (attempt) to love them. Phoebe Walsh is a true crime obsessed PhD candidate dragged home to clear out the childhood home of her estranged father, when she runs into a mysterious barefoot man outside her house late at night offering to help her move some furniture (as if she’d fall for such an obvious gambit). But when Phoebe learns the man is her father’s neighbor, Sam Dennings, she assumes the nice guy act is a cover for something far more sinister. As Phoebe investigates what she is sure will be the true crime discovery of the century, she finds something far more potentially dangerous – a nice guy who might just capture her heart.

 

‘Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai

For those readers looking for an Ocean’s Eight meets Bonnie and Clyde vibe, this spicy heist series is the ticket! Simi Chopra leads the most motley crew beside her partner in crime, Jack Danger, and after pulling off the diamond heist of the century, they’re broke and looking for work again. But when the mafia boss they stole the necklace from comes calling to demand the return of his jewels, they have to partner with Jack’s arch-nemesis to save their hides. With plenty of action, whip-smart banter, and enough tension to keep you tearing through the pages, this series is perfect to fill those long, dull winter nights.

 

Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall

Millennial cozies are on a Scottish Highlands kick, and we are here for it! When true crime podcaster Liza takes a trip with her wife, Hanna, to a remote Scottish castle, they’re both just looking for a weekend to repair their strained marriage. What they find, instead, is an Agatha Christie-level murder scene. Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Clue, with the outlandish side characters you expect to see in such a loving entry to the zany cozy category. But Hall infuses her humorous story with real heart in the complicated portrait of a marriage in serious need of work. Watching these two characters find their way back to each other while the bodies pile up will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after you finish reading.

 

The post Eight Romantic Mysteries To Keep You Cosy This Winter appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

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

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bridgerton goes Gothic in this sweeping Regency romance by celebrated author KJ Charles.

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Gillian Armstead-Bancroft—Pride of the East Side and once-perfect bruja, wife, and mother—is going to spend her summer getting good at being bad.

A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

An emotionally powerful romance novel about two people finding love after struggling with addiction–ultimately discovering what it means to be completely and unapologetically themselves.

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Things We Left Behind is the third and final installment in the Knockemout series, and whilst each book focuses on a different couple, the books should be read in order as the main action continues throughout the trilogy. Things We Left Behind is a spicy contemporary romance with dark and suspenseful elements featuring the grumpy and sunshine, enemies with benefits, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity tropes. This would be perfect for fans of books like Dark Succession by Katee Robert or Twisted Love by Ana Huang and themes include secrets and lies, self worth, love and sacrifice, life and death, good versus evil or light versus dark, family, justice and injustice, and crime. Potential trigger warnings include wrongful incarceration, physical abuse, violence, cancer, death of a parent, and arson.

Firstly, the plot reminded me of one of my current favourite songs, “Electric Touch (Taylor’s Version)”. It was great to jump right into the story without a lot of preamble because Lucian and Sloane were already introduced in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Hide from the Light, plus all my favourite main characters from the Knockemout universe still played key roles! Lucian’s morally grey personality  was enjoyable, whilst Sloane has some serious book loving energy, which I think a lot of readers will connect with. Lucian and Sloane’s soulmate-like connection was stunning and  reminiscent of the popular paranormal romance novels like A Court of Thorns and Roses and From Blood and Ash. There are also some totally swoonworthy moments involving a cherry blossom tree!

Things We Left Behind had a fair number of flashbacks sprinkled throughout the novel outlining teenage Lucian and Sloane’s history. Even though they were needed, I’m personally not a big fan of flashbacks and felt like they were a little drawn out, but I do think that readers will enjoy finally figuring out Sloane and Lucian’s secret, yet alluded to history. Lastly,  some of the smaller plot twists were a little obvious, which was disappointing, but there was also a big twist that I didn’t see coming!

Even though it wasn’t my favourite in the series, Sloane and Lucian’s enemies to lovers romance definitely did not disappoint. Things We Left Behind is perfect for fans of morally grey love interests, suspense, and spicy “enemies to lovers” romances.

Things We Left Behind is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 5th.

Will you be picking up Things We Left Behind? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.

Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…

Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.

It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.

The post Review: Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

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

JULY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy
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AUGUST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEPTEMBER

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

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bridgerton goes Gothic in this sweeping Regency romance by celebrated author KJ Charles.

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

An emotionally powerful romance novel about two people finding love after struggling with addiction–ultimately discovering what it means to be completely and unapologetically themselves.

Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Gillian Armstead-Bancroft—Pride of the East Side and once-perfect bruja, wife, and mother—is going to spend her summer getting good at being bad.

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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

OCTOBER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DECEMBER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Firstly, you need to read Things We Never Got Over before picking up this as the main action continues on into this book. Things We Hide from the Light is a contemporary, forced proximity romance with mystery and thriller elements told from a dual point of view. I would recommend this to fans of the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver, Something Wilder by Christina Lauren, Scandalized by Ivy Owens, the Dreamland Billionaires series by Lauren Asher, the Twisted series by Ana Huang, My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey, and, of course, Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score. This deals with themes and topics such as mental health and PTSD, identity, right versus wrong, appearance versus reality, family and parenthood, memory, trust, secrecy and lies, loneliness and isolation, companionship, and darkness versus light. Trigger warnings include kidnapping, addiction, gun violence, and heart conditions. In my opinion, the moral of TWHFTL is that it’s better to seek help and live in the light than it is to suffer in silence and hide in the darkness; “I just wish I woulda kept trying to look to the light instead of sinking into the dark…A man can learn to live in that dark, but it’s no life”.

Firstly, I love the gorgeous cover art, especially the significance of the lily of the valley flowers. Even though this book focuses on Nash and Lina, the main characters from book one , including Knox, Naomi, and Waylay, are still very much present throughout. Since I was already familiar with the conflict, setting, and characters in Knockemout, this ended up being a real page turner for me and I was hooked from the very beginning! Additionally, I definitely had trouble putting down this book towards the end as the last few chapters were suspenseful and action-packed. I thought that this was very unique; not only did it have a spicy, slow burn romance, it also had a suspenseful mystery storyline that kept me guessing. I loved how Nash and Lina initially bonded over rescuing and caring for a sweet pup named Piper as I thought that these moments were very cute and swoon worthy. For those, like me, who are patiently waiting for Lucian’s book, you’ll be pleased to know that Score teases Lucian’s story in TWHFTL (perhaps Lucian’s story will be the focus of book 3, Things We Left Behind, which is expected in September 2023)!

There really wasn’t much that I didn’t like about this book. The only real downside for me was that the book was on the thicker side, so it was a tad daunting to start.

Overall, I can honestly say that I enjoyed Things We Hide from the Light just as much as I enjoyed Things We Never Got Over! If you like suspense, mystery, and spicy romances, then you should definitely check-out the Knockemout series.

Things We Hide from the Light is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Things We Hide from the Light? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

The post Review: Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score appeared first on The Nerd Daily.