About A Mannequin for Christmas: The unlucky in love Henry, does not want to face another Christmas alone, so he makes a wish for “The Perfect Man.” The next morning, he finds one of the male display mannequins at the vintage shop he manages has sprung to life and entirely wrecked the place. The gorgeous, magicked man comes with a Cinderella-style caveat: If he doesn’t experience true, human love before the midnight chime on New Year’s Eve, he will turn back into a mannequin for good. Henry has one month to teach Aidan how to be a functioning person in the modern world and a swoony boyfriend that will win over his family.

Growing up as a child of the late 90s/early 2000s, I shopped in the version of Toys R Us that was bisected by paint jobs. The blue section was for boys, and the pink section was for girls (as if colors have genders, and gender isn’t just a construct!). I always held a lot of shame for being more attracted to the toys in the pink section—dress up sets, stuffed animals, and dolls, specifically Barbies. My Barbies wore the hottest clothes, vacationed often, and lived on-going dramas in the wild, sweeping storylines I weaved for them every day.

If adulthood is all about tending to your inner child, it’s no surprise that I chose to be an author. Writing romance novels is a bit like playing Barbies all day long, so naturally when the Barbie movie took over the world in summer 2023, all those childhood feelings came flooding back to me. I missed the fun and delight of shoving shoes on those anatomically incorrect doll feet and having them strut around the dream house. Right away, I knew I had the perfect inspiration for my next Christmas romance!

A Mannequin for Christmas tells the story of Henry Aster, a struggling vintage shop owner who doesn’t want to face another family Christmas alone, so he makes a wish for “the perfect man” and one of his store mannequins magically springs to life. I wanted to write this story in dual point of view so we got to experience the wonders and trials of spontaneously coming to life. To make my fictional mannequin-turned-man, Aidan Smith, feel real, I looked to many pieces of pop culture from my youth.

Disney Movies

I grew up with a large collection of Disney VHS tapes on constant rotation. Two Disney characters have stuck with me more than others: Pinocchio and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. When developing Aidan, I summoned the childish curiosity of these characters who desperately want to be part of the human population for differing reasons. Pinocchio wants to cut his strings and become a real boy so he can have autonomy. Ariel wants to shed her tail so she can claim her prince and experience true love. Both learn the hard way that being human isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. “Part of Your World” and “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” both were songs in heavy rotation while drafting the Aidan chapters of this book because Aidan has an idealized version of what being a person is like which gets challenged by his experiences with Henry.

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz was a movie we watched every year around Thanksgiving when it aired on TV. Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz meets three characters on her trip down the yellow brick road—the brainless Scarecrow, the heartless Tin Man, and the courage-less Lion. Aidan Smith, confounded by his new state of being and the ways of the world, is a quick learner but almost everything scares him, and love confuses him, which is frustrating because if he doesn’t experience true, human love before the midnight chime on New Year’s Eve, he goes back to being a mannequin for good. Talk about a terrifying fate! I wanted to underline the universal feeling of lacking something in yourself only to learn the power was within you all along. In that way, Aidan possesses the same wacky physicality as these characters mixed with their existential conundrums. This leads to both comedy and pathos throughout the book.

Cult Classics

The plot of A Mannequin for Christmas bares resemblance to classics like Mannequin and Life-Size, two movies that live rent-free in my imagination. I love the fish-out-of-water tales with healthy sprinklings of magic in them. Whenever I approach a source of inspiration, I always ask myself two questions: 1. How can I modernize this? 2. How can I make it gay?

 I loved the idea of bringing this story of an inanimate object coming to life into 2025 and addressing queerness as normalcy. Aidan as this newly formed man develops feelings for Henry and this isn’t ever seen as odd or different because Aidan hasn’t been forced into heteronormativity like most of us are at birth. The world is an accepting, beautiful place to Aidan. I had fun delving into what that meant and how it could shift Henry’s perspective. These movies felt like great springboards for expansion and exploration of new themes.

Pygmalion Myth

The Greek myth about a sculptor who falls in love with one of his statues inspired the George Bernard Shaw play of the same name, which inspired me not only in giving my main character the name Henry—after the character Henry Higgins—but also in the idea that just because you create something, doesn’t mean it’s yours. Henry teaches Aidan how to be human in the modern world and the swoony Christmas date that will win over his family, but as Aidan grows, he develops his own wants and values. This was such a juicy dynamic to write, especially since Henry might have as much to learn as Aidan does about what it means to be a good person.

A Mannequin for Christmas is both an homage to classic movies and an ode to my childhood self. I’ve infused it with as much joy, hijinks, and romance as I possibly could. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Have a very happy holigays!

The post Myths, Movies, and Mannequins, Oh My! How Pop Culture Inspired ‘A Mannequin for Christmas’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide comes a dark fantasy about a girl who will risk everything—posing as a maid, confronting powerful enemies, and unraveling deadly secrets—all to save her missing sister from the enigmatic House of Quiet.

It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram

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Heartstopper meets Eat Pray Love in this swoony, spicy, second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Adib Khorram about two former classmates unexpectedly reuniting in Italy.

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

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New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of body horror, family secrets, grief and loss and love.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett

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Janice Hallett, “the new queen of crime” (Electric Literature), returns with a fresh, edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages, and email correspondence.

Night & Day edited by Ellen Datlow

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A horror anthology edited by the genre’s greatest, Ellen Datlow, with one side featuring stories about what haunts the night while the other side showcases the terrors that can exist in the light of day in this new addition to the Saga Doubles series.

Soul Searching by Lyla Sage

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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns with a brand-new story, featuring a small-town upholsterer in need of a fresh start, a photographer whose life has come to a screeching halt . . . and the supernatural forces that bring them together.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

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The unmissable new mystery in the Thursday Murder Club series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Osman, now streaming on Netflix.

The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino

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The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig and Alix E. Harrow.

House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt

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Solving her best friend’s murder means infiltrating a secret society, resisting a forbidden love, and running from a vengeful ghost in this sophomore novel by the author of Together We Rot.

You Are The Detective by Maureen Johnson

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November 1933. London. Seven people receive mysterious letters. Someone knows their terrible secrets. They are summoned to a posh townhouse where one is stabbed right in front of the others, but somehow no one saw a thing. Can you help Scotland Yard solve the mystery?

A Blood as Bright as the Moon by Andrea Morstabilini

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A vampire, desperately torn between worlds, is hunted down by a secret society bent on his destruction, in this timeless and unsettling queer gothic horror, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon

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A story of human resilience in the face of dire circumstances, Among the Burning Flowers leads readers through the gripping and tragic events that pave the way for the opening of the million-copy bestseller The Priory of The Orange Tree.

Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee

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Two women set their sights on marrying the same duke, but instead of becoming enemies, they find themselves falling in love—though not with him.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

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A simmering psychological thriller about a dead teacher at an elite boarding school, the students who had every reason to want her gone, and the tangled web of rivalry and romance concealing the truth—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places.

The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

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From award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Kosoko Jackson comes his adult speculative debut, a stand-alone novel blending time travel and globe-hopping adventure, art history, and dark fantasy about magical paintings and the lengths people will go to collect them, destroy them…or be destroyed.

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White

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Alien meets Midsommar in this chilling debut adult novel from award-winning author Andrew Joseph White about identity, survival, and transformation amidst an alien invasion in rural West Virginia.

Hopelessly Teavoted by Audrey Goldberg Ruoff

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After the deaths of his parents, a witch returns to his spooky family manor and joins forces with his former crush when his parents’ spirits warn them of a sinister threat in this witty and lyrically unique rom-com in the vein of The Crescent Moon Tearoom andThe Ex Hex.

Seven Reasons To Murder Your Dinner Guests by KJ Whittle

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Told from the perspectives of each of the seven guests, Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests is a spellbinding and mysterious exploration of mortality, begging the question: how would you live your life if you knew your number was up?

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace

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Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.

What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

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#1 New York Times-bestselling author Tricia Levenseller makes her adult debut in What Fury Brings, a sexy, empowering romantasy featuring a warrior general who must kidnap and train a husband in order to take her rightful place as queen.

Old Money by Kelsey Miller

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On the Fourth of July, a teenager dies at an exclusive country club. Twenty years later, her cousin returns to her hometown, seeking answers behind closed gates in this rich, atmospheric thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, Liz Moore and Ruth Ware.

A Mannequin for Christmas by Timothy Janovsky

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A Christmas romance for Barbie fans who wished Ken and Allan got their own love story.

Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei

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From the acclaimed author of The Stardust Grail comes the epic tale of two sisters who sail across oceans to find their missing third sister―and Earth’s environmental salvation.

The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala

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Stephen King meets Holly Jackson by way of We Were Liars in this action-packed story of queer horror from the acclaimed author of The Honeys!

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

The post 24 Anticipated Books Releasing In September 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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.

Erin lives in the PNW with her spouse, two large dogs, two lazy cats, and more houseplants than she can count. When not exploring fictional worlds, she enjoys hiking, cooking, emo nostalgia, and slowly but surely actualizing her lifelong goal of becoming a forest witch.

About Unromance (out Jan 14, 2025): A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

My upcoming debut novel, Unromance, is a love letter to rom-coms, celebrating all the tropes and cliches that readers have come to know, love, and expect. Each chapter of Unromance begins with a trope definition, and I wanted to pay my respects to some of the authors that inspired me, as well as books that excelled at making these tropes their own, making the familiar feel both fun and fresh. Here are a few of my favorite rom-coms that live rent free:

The Meet Cute
The love interests meet. It’s cute. It upends their entire lives.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

Our heroes meet by getting stuck in an elevator together, and over a shared meal of purse cheese, our heroine agrees to be our hero’s fake date to his ex’s wedding. Guillory understands that couch time and pizza is a love language, and I really respect that about her books.

Love In The Time Of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

If a strange man shows up in the middle of the night to help you move the massive desk off your car, it’s completely reasonable to assume he might be a serial killer and not just a cute neighbor who has a totally legitimate reason to have a garage covered in tarps. Thompson writes my favorite female protagonists.

Savor It by Tarah Dewitt

Our main character saves her hot new neighbor from a dangerous midnight intruder—the rental house’s Roomba. This is a small-town romance, so of course the local officials who answer the 911 call are her brothers. This meet cute is equal parts bonkers and endearing, a masterclass in situational humor.

The One-Night Stand
Romance math dictates that the less likely a character is to have a one-night stand, the more likely they are to run into said one-night stand again.

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I respect Solomon for writing a one-night stand that’s bad, actually. I respect her even more for writing the sex lessons trope where the female main character is the expert, with a male main character that is very eager to learn. This book contains one of the hottest first kisses I’ve ever read and should be studied.

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

Sometimes you have a one-night stand with a hot MILF only to realize it’s your best friend’s mom. Wilsner said “MILF”, and I said “Add to cart.”

Scandalized by Ivy Owens

What, your flight gets cancelled and you run into your childhood crush at the airport hotel and you’re not going to have a one-night stand with him? This book reads like fanfiction and a daydream all rolled into one, and I can’t think of a higher compliment than that.

The Contract
When two characters make a pact, replete with rules, which they are totally going to follow.

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

It’s completely reasonable to fake date the girl you had a disaster blind date with to get your brother to stop setting you up. And if she needs you to be her fake girlfriend for the holidays, it’s a win-win. This sapphic rom-com is equally swoony and steamy, as is everything Bellefleur writes.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

If you’re concerned about your bedroom prowess, hiring a professional sex worker and creating lesson plans with him is the logical solution. I dare you not to become completely enamored by this couple as their sex lessons become dating lessons, and eventually, dating for real. This book will always be one of my first recommendations to any reader looking to get into the genre.

Winging It With You by Chip Pons

If you get dumped at the airport right before embarking on an adventure reality show, the only solution is to enlist the hot, grounded pilot to be your fake boyfriend for the duration of the competition. If you like the only one bed trope, you’re really going to love having it over.. and over.. and over… all across the globe as these fake boyfriends compete on national TV, learning and growing together in this tender yet steamy romance. (*Out 06.10.25)

Holiday Hallmark Movie
Equal parts twinkling lights and patterned scarves, three dashes of hot-as-cocoa lingering looks, sprinkle in a tree-lighting ceremony, and serve up, at an ice skating rink in the town square.

In The Event Of Love by Courtney Kae

Okay, so what if you crashed into your childhood crush’s tree farm sign and fell into her hot, lumberjane arms and are now roped into a scheme to save your small town from the big, evil corporation. It doesn’t mean you’re going to fall in love with her… Right? This rom-com intentionally leans heavy into Hallmark cliches, but makes them feel fresh and new whilst still as cozy and endearing as you would expect.

Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun

This book is an absolute dream of a tropefest. It’s like the lyrics of Last Christmas had a baby with a Hallmark movie. Our protagonist agrees to a marriage of convenience with her landlord, and goes home with him for Christmas to keep up their fauxmance ruse, only to realize his sister is the woman she fell in love with last Christmas Eve—and was betrayed by the very next day. This book has all the mess and hijinks you could ever want from a holiday romp.

You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky

Pitched as Schitt’s Creek meets Red, White, & Royal Blue, what else could you need to know? Our grinchy protagonist gets shipped off to a small, winter wonderland town where he discovers a found family, the miracle of forced proximity, and—of course—the true meaning of Christmas. This book is so warm and charming that even the grinchiest of readers will find their hearts growing three sizes.

The Quirky Best Friend
They’re weird, know how to push all your buttons, and you love them for it. No notes.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

This sassy best friend was such a fan favorite that she ended up getting her own book, The True Love Experiment. Start with TSE to meet her as we all did and fall in love with her, then read TTLE and watch her fall in love on a trope-based reality dating show.

The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

Sometimes the snarky best friend is an eighty-year-old woman. Not enough books feature older characters, much less ones that get to be as feisty and spirited as this one, full of wisdom dispensed as hilarious anecdotes. I would read an entire book of just these two talking about everything and nothing.

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee

The entire supporting cast of characters in this book is an absolute riot. Situational humor is difficult to pull off in text, but this book has it in spades. As a queer person from the south, this book set in the mountains of Georgia is the hug I didn’t know I needed.

Everyone Can See It But Them
No explanation necessary.

You, With A View by Jessica Joyce

In the wake of her grandmother’s passing, our protagonist uncovers photos of her grandmother’s first love—and the honeymoon road trip she never went on. With the help of the internet, she finds her grandmother’s former love. Lo and behold, he’s her high school nemesis’s grandfather. The three of them set out to complete the road trip, and no spoilers, but the way this sweet grandpa sees what’s coming before our protagonists do… Get your tissues ready. This rivals-to-lovers romcom is one of the sweetest, most heart-warming books, whilst also being sexy and witty. A true masterpiece.

Love & Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

A conspiracy theory skeptic and a true believer team up to make a web show hunting cryptids, and their back-and-forth chemistry leaves viewers wondering if there’s more to the duo than just co-hosts. There’s nothing better than reading a book where you can tell how much fun the author had writing about their niche interest, and even if you’re a skeptic like our main character, you’ll believe in this couple.

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore

Our protagonists agree to be filmed as part of an online series following Gen Z in the workplace, and viewers instantly ship the two of them, not knowing our love interest stole the promotion our protagonist was gunning for. But when they have to work on a project together, they realize the internet might have been onto something. This debut is a knockout.

Secrets, Secrets
Romance statistics calculate that if you have a secret, the odds of it coming out at the absolute worst possible moment are 100 percent.

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

With both their acting careers on the line, our protagonists take rehearsing their scripts very seriously, and if that means practice-kissing your incredibly hot costar, it’s all in service of the craft. Until it’s not, and their behind-the-scenes romance could risk exposing our hero’s closely guarded secret.

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

Perfect for fans of a You’ve Got Mail premise. Our two writer protagonists fall for each other via email correspondence—not knowing they’re actually neighbors. There’s something so delicious about watching people fall for each other online and then in person, knowing they’re the same and waiting for them to realize—especially when one of them realizes it first and knowing the secret will have to come to light—? Chef’s kiss.

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart

In this Love Island-esque premise, our protagonist agrees to go on the dating show and make it to the finale in exchange for a promotion at work—one of the show’s partners. Her connection to the show has to remain secret, but that becomes harder and harder as her connection to one of the contestants grows genuine—and puts her winning strategy at risk.

Just Once, To Get It Out Of Our Systems
The heroes are convinced their feelings are purely physical and the only solution is to act on them. Once. Just once. The heroes are also probably really bad at math.

You Between The Lines by Katie Naymon

I love a meta moment, so when this trope gets referenced by the swoony poet love interest saying, “So did you get it out of your system?” and “That’s not going to be the only time.” To quote Paris Hilton, “That’s hot.” (* Out 02.18.25)

Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

She’s a romance cynic. He’s a hopeless romantic. They can totally fake date and casually sleep together, right? Talia Hibbert is romcom gold and a true smut queen. This entire series is required reading for any romance aficionado. 

What Is Love? by Jen Comfort

In this Jeopardy-inspired rom-com, two rivals team up to beat the show’s top ranked competitor in an All Star round. While the two couldn’t be more different, as they study together, they find an unlikely connection, and that maps can be quite sexy, actually.

One Night Stand To Strangers To Friends To Lovers To Idiots To Lovers
Invented by Mason Álvarez-West and Sawyer Greene, probably.

Unromance by Erin Connor

When a jaded romance author gets stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger, she recognizes it for what it is: not a meet cute, but an opportunity for a one-night stand and a little inspo for her next book. But when they run into each other again, they realize they can help each other: she can cure him of the hopeless romanticism that keeps landing him in the tabloids, and in return, he can use it to help her with her writer’s block. Surely, acting out romance tropes together won’t have them hurtling towards a happily ever after neither of them saw coming.

The post 25 Rom-Com Book Recommendations From Author Erin Connor appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Timothy! Welcome back! How has the past year been since we last spoke?

Hello! Thanks for having me back. It’s been a whirlwind since we last spoke. This past January I helped launch Harlequin’s new, inclusive, spicy romance line Afterglow books with my game-show set rom-com The Fake Dating Game and my summer, grumpy/sunshine followup You Had Me at Happy Hour. I visited the west coast for the first time and attended my first romance convention as an author this summer. Lots of reading, writing, and iced coffee in between!

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

The North Pole gets gay!

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a campy, queer joyride. There’s a plucky elf sidekick, an enchanted chalet, and plenty of Santa-based dirty talk. It’s a marriage-in-crisis story that reminds us love is magic, and magic is love. Come for the hijinks, stay for the underlying themes of reconnection!

Where did the inspiration for The Merriest Misters come from?

This might come as a surprise, but I was inspired by the 2020 United States Presidential Election. Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, grew up in Matawan, New Jersey where I’m from, so I felt this immediate connection to him. I’d see photos of him as the first Second Gentleman and wonder, “What must it be like to inhabit a role that has been historically held by a person of a different gender?”

After You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince, I knew I wanted to write another queer, Christmas romance but this time with a dash of magic. I went down the rabbit hole of Santa mythology, and I was shocked to see how much similarity it had to world leaders and politics. In all the mythology, Santa always has or needs to find a Mrs. Claus. I got excited by the prospect of writing a story from the perspective of the first gay male “Mrs. Claus.” What if he walks into his new closet for the first time and finds a wardrobe of stodgy red velvet dresses and bonnets tailored for a picture-book Grandma-type? That thought made me laugh. Thus, The Merriest Misters was born!

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

Since the idea originated with the idea of exploring the first “Merriest Mister,” I had a lot of fun exploring Quinn’s character and how he brushes up against tradition. He’s a burnt-out second-grade teacher who feels stifled by the administration at his school, and that frustration is bleeding into his marriage which is starting to feel “very 1950s” to him. Moving to the North Pole allows him to explore his gender-expression through fashion. He starts shucking domestic roles and seeing masculine and feminine as less of a binary and more of a spectrum. That growth arc was new for me and very healing in a way.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing The Merriest Misters?

The Merriest Misters is my first dual point-of-view and dual timeline book. Since this is a marriage-in-crisis romance, it was important to me that readers see Quinn and Patrick now and also Quinn and Patrick when they were first falling in love. We meet them as undergrads in college and follow them up through the purchase of their first house. Striking the right balance between emotional flashbacks and present-timeline hijinks was a big part of the writing process.

What do you hope readers take away from Patrick and Quinn’s story?

My main hope for readers is that they come away from Patrick and Quinn’s story with this: Happily ever after looks and feels different for everyone. As a queer author, I strive to put out stories that feel authentic to the queer experience, and queer relationships don’t always chart the same course that the relationships of our straight peers do. At the beginning, Patrick and Quinn are struggling against the heteronormative mold they’ve built around themselves. By the end, they find a new paradigm to live and love within.

Since this is a marriage-in-crisis story, I also hope readers are reminded that falling in love is not a one-and-done experience. Love is active, and we have to choose it everyday with our partners.

With the holiday season drawing near, what are your top three holiday movies?

This is such a tough question since I have a ton of seasonal rewatches on rotation starting around Thanksgiving, but I’ll try my best to be judicious!

First and foremost, no holiday season is complete without The Muppet Christmas Carol. If you’ve read You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince then you know it’s the greatest A Christmas Carol adaptation out there. Joyous songs, Muppet humor, and Fozziwig forever!

Next, you can’t go wrong with Christmas in Connecticut. It’s an old, black-and-white screwball comedy about a food writer who has fabricated a farmstead and a husband for her readers. When her boss wants a war hero to come and spend Christmas with her on this imagined, idyllic farm, she has to fake-it-til-she-makes-it, while fighting against falling for her hunky house guest. The scene where they accidentally steal a sleigh always makes me laugh!

I have a deep-seated love of made-for-TV Christmas movies. My favorite among the bunch is Holiday in Handcuffs starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez. I’m a sucker for a zany premise, and this movie might just have the zaniest one of all! A down-on-her-luck diner waitress kidnaps a hot patron and forces him to come to her family’s Christmas celebration and pretend to be her boyfriend. It’s a ridiculously good time!

What’s next for you?

My next book is titled Once Upon You & Me. It a spicy, age-gap romance about an east-coast single dad, Ethan, and a west-coast surfer twink, Taylor, who fall for one another despite their shared connection: Taylor’s boss is Ethan’s ex-wife. It takes place at a fairytale-themed resort in the Catskills. I lovingly refer to this as my “sexy archery” book. It’ll be published by Afterglow Books by Harlequin in April 2025.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

I adored Adib Khorram’s adult debut I’ll Have What He’s Having which is a decadent romance between a sommelier and a new bistro owner. It has some of the most authentic male-male sex scenes I’ve read in a while! Fans of my You Had Me at Happy Hour should pick it up.

Two books that were superbly fun were Sara Raasch’s The Nightmare Before Kissmas, which is a romantasy between Santa’s son and the Halloween prince, and Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca, which takes the traditional small-town romance beats and adds a goofy supporting cast of literal ghosts.

There’s a ton on my TBR right now but two books I’m really looking forward to getting to are Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz, which is a sapphic former-friends-to-lovers romanace, and If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens, because I love a haunted castle setting.

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

The post Q&A: Timothy Janovsky, Author of ‘The Merriest Misters’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It might be controversial to say having grown up near the Jersey Shore (*fist pumps into infinity*) but I’m not much of a beach person. Don’t worry, I’ll hold for the huge gasp you just let out after reading that!

You good? All right. Let me explain.

When the weather heats up, while everyone is talking about “beach reads” and “books to throw in your beach bag this summer” I’m often thinking, “Hey! What about me? Someone who burns easily and doesn’t like sand everywhere!”

As a romance author, I write fun, breezy books that are perfect for a little escape while you’re on a vacation. None of my titles more so than my latest, You Had Me at Happy Hour, which is a grumpy/sunshine, sommelier/mixologist workplace romance brimming with snarky banter and plenty of laughs along the way. Seriously, nothing will steam up your sunglasses more than two co-workers entering a sex pact with some inspired uses of sex toys. Everyone is going to think you’re sunburned from how hard you’ll blush!

While I approve of you taking Julien, Greg, and the entire gang at Martin’s Place (the bar and restaurant where the story takes place) with you to whatever beach your heart desires, my preferred summer activity is sitting poolside with a queer novel. Give a me a lounge chair, some shade, and a sweet drink, and I’m a happy, relaxed guy!

Greg Harlow, one of the heroes in You Had Me at Happy Hour, is a hot, popular TikTok cocktail-maker who has fallen from social grace but is still deeply passionate about his craft. To support my fellow poolside sippers, I’ve put together a list of queer books perfect for outdoor reading paired with Greg Harlow-approved cocktails to enjoy.

We Could Be Heroes by Philip Ellis

This male-male Marvel-inspired romance sees a drag artist falling for the hunky actor starring as Captain Kismet, the fictional comic-book superhero, in a flashy movie filming in his town. Greg Harlow would pair this out-of-this-world tale with Rocket Fuel. This is a traditional Pina Colada with a twist! Drink-makers will add Amaretto and 151-proof rum to pineapple juice, coconut, and (oh, yeah) more dark rum. It was invented on Fire Island, New York, so you know drinks don’t get gayer!

Find the recipe here.

The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee

This slow-burn sapphic romance is about two bowling nerds and former friends, Ava and Grace, who are now teaching at the same high school. When tasked with spearheading the new bowling team together, sparks start to fly. Greg Harlow would take inspiration from Peach Blossom, Georgia, the name of the charming, fictional small town where the book is set. He’d recommend a Peach Whiskey Refresher. This is a rare frozen whiskey drink with fruity notes that is perfect for beating the cruel summer heat!

Find the recipe here.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

This is another sapphic former-friends-to-lovers romance, except this one takes place on a long, trying road trip from Washington state to coastal Maine with a dying former-English teacher and a lovable dog along for the ride. Because one of the heroines Rosemary, a binder-wielding, buttoned-up teacher, is a bit sharp at the offset and because margaritas get drank by the characters in the story, Greg would recommend you drink-along with a Prickly Pear Margarita. This cold drink for a hot day mixes tequila with triple sec, lime juice, and prickly pear syrup. The flavors won’t be the only pleasing thing about this drink! The prickly pear syrup turns the concoction a beautiful shade of pink perfect for racking up likes on social media.

Find the recipe here.

You Had Me at Happy Hour, by…Me!

If Greg had to choose a drink to represent his own love story with the enigmatic, scowling sommelier Julien Boire, he’d have to go with Julien’s own creation, the I Really Like You Red Sangria. It’s apples, oranges, brown sugar, orange juice, brandy, and a full-bodied fruity red wine of your choosing (though Julien, a certified sommelier, will have many, many suggestions for you, including some of the best non-alcoholic reds on the market for our sober friends).

If you’re looking to wet your whistle alongside more queer, drink-themed romances, grab yourself copies of these additionally delicious books: Triple Sec by TJ Alexander, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston, and I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram. They’re guaranteed to quench your summer thirst!

Please read and drink responsibly. Cheers! 

The post What Drink Should You Pair With Your Queer Summer Reading? appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In need of a good swoon? Well get ready for all of the exciting romance books hitting shelves in the second half of 2024! With new releases from Emma Lord, Tessa Bailey, Jessica Joyce, Hannah Grace, Andie Burke, Carissa Broadbent, Lyla Sage, Nora Roberts, Sangu Mandanna, Lana Ferguson, and many more, along with those making their sweet debuts!

With just about every trope explored to historical romances and fantasy romances, you’ll be sure to find something for your romance-loving heart!

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and also be sure to check out our Most Anticipated list.

JULY 2024

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

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In this steamy Regency romp, Lady Selina is determined to find the Duke of Stanhope the perfect wife―the only problem is she’s starting to think that might be her.

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia

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A small-town bartender juggles motherhood and a sexual awakening in this heartwarming queer friends-to-lovers romance from the author of Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review.

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton

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Rival ornithologists hunt through England for a rare magical bird in this historical-fantasy rom-com reminiscent of Indiana Jones but with manners, tea, and helicopter parasols.

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with an all-new sports rom-com about a burly, surly, single dad who falls head-over-hockey-stick for his quirky live-in nanny…

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

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A fake engagement, second chances, and newfound family members come together in this new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the “swoon-worthy” (Business Insider) The Spanish Love Deception.

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

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A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up…

Take Me Home by Melanie Sweeney

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A spicy, swoony frenemies-to-lovers romance, whilst full of heart, humour, and heft – and offers a moving ode to the people and places we call home.

What’s in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate

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From # 1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate comes an enemies-to-lovers “what if” romance about a prom kiss that never was, and one woman’s magical chance to live what might have been.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

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The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura

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Set against a sizzling-hot Greek summer filled with sunshine and souvlaki, Rufaro Faith Mazarura’s Let the Games Begin is a page-turning debut rom-com about two strangers at the top of their game.

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

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Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance from the USA Today bestselling author of You, with a View.

The Scenic Route by Katie Ruggle

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The Rocky Mountains get unBEARably hot in Katie Ruggle’s brand-new series packed with adventure, action, tall dark & scruffy heroes, and a sense of quirky humor that will be your next perfect escape.

AUGUST 2024

Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne

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After getting passed over for tenure and having her life upended in the process, a physics professor decides to throw caution to the wind and live by her horoscope predictions for a year in this effervescent rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Made in Manhattan.

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

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The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

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Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel.

Heavy Hitter by Katie Cotugno

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The beloved New York Times bestselling author of Birds of California hits it out of the park with this smart, sexy, thrilling take on the celebrity-athlete story—a funny, sizzling, ripped-from-the-headlines romance between an international pop star and a major league baseball player who thought his best days were behind him.

I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram

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A smart, tender, vivacious romantic comedy about mistaken identities, the line between love and sex, and the way one night—and one person—can change your life forever.

Daydream by Hannah Grace

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

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

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A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author Danica Nava.

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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From the creator of the viral TikTok videos about the sunshine assistant to the evil villain and their unexpected romance comes the second book in the hotly-anticipated fantasy romance series.

You’re the Problem, It’s You by Emma R. Alban

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The enemies-to-lovers queer Victorian romance follow-up to Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, in which a young lord and a second son clash, but find themselves thrust together again and again by their meddling cousins.

Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai

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Diamond necklaces, billionaires, Mafia bosses, and student loans—it’s all in a day’s work for Simi Chopra and her ragtag heist crew in the next romantic-comedy caper from Sara Desai.

Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller

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In this sparkling romance, two professors with a complicated past get a second chance to prove history won’t repeat itself.

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca

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It’s love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits in this new series from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

SEPTEMBER 2024

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

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Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz

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After reconnecting on a road trip, two friends must decide if love is the ultimate risk worth taking in this funny, emotional sapphic romance.

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain

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Business or Pleasure meets Evvie Drake Starts Over in this delicious opposites-attract romance from debut author Sarah Chamberlain.

All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard

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Two rival authors—and ex’s—are thrown together just in time for the holidays in this delightful new romantic comedy from beloved author Falon Ballard.

Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen

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A rollicking, unforgettable romance about two strangers finding love despite their best efforts as they embark on a sweeping matchmaking tour through Việt Nam, perfect for readers of Carley Fortune and Abby Jimenez.

Fall For Him by Andie Burke

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In Fall for Him by Andie Burke, seven-hundred-fifty square feet isn’t enough for the home-renovation-fueled hatred and the building sexual tension.

The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean by Ann Rose

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Equal parts heartwarming and bittersweet, The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean expertly weaves the wonder and terror of falling in love into a beautifully crafted story about the joy that can be found when you’re willing to dust yourself off and try again.

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

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A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Caraval in this seductive fantasy adventure. With steamy romance, a sexy morally gray love interest, OCD rep and jaw-dropping twists, Phantasma is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli and Carissa Broadbent.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

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From the acclaimed author of The Longest Ride and The Notebook comes an emotional, powerful novel about wondering if we can change—or even make our peace with—the path we’ve taken.

My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine

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Nothing sucks more than fake dating a vampire in this paranormal romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate Is a Vampire.

Can’t Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan

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A struggling waitress and the heir to a major Seattle company stumble into a high-profile fake engagement while simultaneously trying to keep up with their own love lives in this flirty fall rom-com!

One On One by Jamie Harrow

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For readers of The Hating Game and The Ex Talk, a workplace, enemies-to-lovers debut for anyone yearning for a courtside romance, perfect for anyone who can’t get enough sports rom-coms.

OCTOBER 2024

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore

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A hilarious and heartfelt rom-com about having it all, slowing down to see the big picture, and finding out that the person you least expect could be your perfect fit

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy

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From the author of The Christmas Wager comes a charming holiday rom-com about a young, recently heartbroken woman who is tasked by her sister to complete Advent calendar challenges in the lead up to Christmas to reignite her belief in herself, the holidays, and love again.

The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky

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The Santa Clause meets Husband Material in this delightful holiday novel!

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay

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When doppelgänger best friends trade one’s cabin Christmas vacation for the other’s Hawaiian would’ve-been-honeymoon, both might just find love they weren’t expecting.

Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll

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A big-hearted small-town romance from bestselling, award-winning author Elle McNicoll, Some Like it Cold is perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Talia Hibbert and Gilmore Girls.

I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War

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In this smart and swoony adventure rom-com, a journalist and a movie star find themselves teaming up to cover up a murder…and falling for each other in the process.

The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling

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Erin Sterling brightens up the Winter Solstice with another delightfully spooky novel following Bowen Penhallow and the girl he feels strangely drawn to—especially when she becomes his only hope of salvation after a strong spell sends them to a Yuletide celebration… more than 50 years in the past.

Sleeping with the Frenemy by Natalie Caña

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The third book in the riotously funny Vega Family Love Stories finds self-assured firefighter Leo Vega trying to reignite a flame that’s gone cold and finally bring his secret love affair into the open.

Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner

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Opposites attract when a buttoned-up professor and carefree doorman must restore a magically missing identity in this sparkling romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens and Ashley Poston.

Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts

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A dashing ghost hunter and the bookseller who made up the ghosts he’s chasing wind up entangled in more ways than one in this steamy contemporary romance from the author of Text Appeal, perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Chloe Liese.

Much Ado About Margaret by Madeleine Roux

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Madeleine Roux’s next season in Regency England follows a rebellious writer and the man who risks everything to publish her.

The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison

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Planning a wedding is so romantic . . . except when it’s not yours, and you’re planning it with the guy you’re secretly crushing on.

NOVEMBER 2024

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley

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After accidentally going viral on social media, a cupcake-baking football player gets assistance from a social media maven—and his best friend’s little sister—to help promote his new bakery.

Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens

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From the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year, a hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.

The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt

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Filled with crackling tension, The Co-op is a steamy second chance romance about restoration and renovation, and uncovering all the things that build character within ourselves. It’s about the never-ending construction project that partnership is, and finding enjoyment at every stage.

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent

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New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, Songbird and the Heart of Stone, where A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Dante’s Inferno, in an epic fantasy romance of love and treachery between mortals and gods.

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

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She thrives in chaos. He prefers routine. The only thing they have in common? How much they hate each other. From the author of Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, the highly anticipated next book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, a small town romance featuring enemies to lovers and forced proximity.

Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan

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When her student goes missing, an independent bluestocking must seek the help of the arrogant duke who spurned her in this sizzling tale of romance and intrigue, perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton series

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith

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When a pyrotechnic engineer discovers her biological father is an international criminal, she must work with a sexy CIA agent to take him down in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea

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Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel in this dazzling new adventure rom-com by Kerry Rea, author of Lucy on the Wild Side.

Love in Bloom by Lucy Eden

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In this hilarious and steamy rom-com, a hardworking city woman unexpectedly inherits her grandparents’ farm that comes equipped with a handsome horticulturist.

Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane

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A sapphic romance in which two former hockey teammates turned rivals with unresolved feelings for one another are paired to host a popular morning show’s Olympic coverage and must remain professional amid a nation of fans closely scrutinizing their incredible chemistry.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy with book two, The Mirror.

Pickleballers by Ilana Long

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A pickleball newbie looking to recover from life’s swings and misses crosses paddles with love in this debut romantic comedy.

DECEMBER 2024

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

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An enchanting novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track, from the national bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

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A woman discovers that not all monsters are her enemy—the opposite, in fact—in this new paranormal romance by Lana Ferguson, author of The Fake Mate.

Not in My Book by Katie Holt

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The Hating Game meets Beach Read in this sexy and hilarious enemies-to-lovers romance from a debut Peruvian-Tennessean voice.

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain

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When a young woman trades places with her noble cousin, their innocent ruse leads to true love in this new Regency-era romantic comedy of manners from the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List.

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates by Jenny L. Howe

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In this charming new rom-com from Jenny L. Howe, a young woman who’s fed up with dating challenges her family and friends to set her up on ten dates, but gets more than she bargained for when her best friend adds himself to the roster.

PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

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In this splendidly bittersweet romantic comedy, enemies forced together by a mutual loss are led on a cross-country journey toward a second chance.

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

The post Enjoy These Swoonworthy July to December 2024 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Releasing on February 13th 2024, her hilarious debut adult rom-com Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair is all about starting over that sparkles with intelligence, wit, and compassion—think Bridget Jones meets Steel Magnolias!

As a devoted romance reader, viewer, and now author, I’ve had a long time to hone my ideal love interest. Sure, I like the occasional dark, brooding, dangerous type that’ll help you with your dragon or whatever, but what really makes me tick, in real life and in fiction, is a hot, lovable goofball. I’m not alone, either. Matt Berry’s Lazlo in What We Do in the Shadows, Jessica Williams’ Gaby from Shrinking, every single character in New Girl—TV is full of lovable goofballs, and the good news is, so are romance novels.

What is it that makes a goofball so incredibly attractive? If the adage that we fall in love with how a person makes us feel is true, it makes perfect sense. Goofballs are fundamentally positive people. They look at life through a fun, playful lens, which makes them great flirts and someone you want around when life gets hard. Also, it takes confidence to be so unabashedly silly and positive. While sarcasm screams I make fun of others because I’m terrified of looking uncool, a goofball doesn’t care what others think of them—they just want everyone to have a good time. That kind of confidence is so mmmm.

My debut adult rom-com Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair was the first romance novel I’d ever written, and I knew as I set out to write this book, the love interest needed to be a goofball. Someone who is warm, loving, attentive, and playful, who can alternate between making you laugh and making you blush. There is simply nothing hotter to me! And once Hannah meets River, the handsome carpenter with a man bun and a cat named “Battle Cat” who lives in the tricked-out treehouse next door, she definitely agrees.

So, if you’re like me and you’d rather laugh and snuggle than manage some wicked fiend out of his cloak, grab one of these lovely novels featuring goofballs of the highest quality:

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

This is a Christmas rom-com, but Hall is so incredibly lovable, darling, goofy, and perfect, I suggest you break out your hot chocolate, put your coziest socks on, and curl up with the perfect man holiday spirit come to life and bask in the joy this novel evokes in every single page.

The Roommate by Rosie Danaan

You know who could really use a hot goofball porn actor for a roommate? Other than *checks notes* all of us? Clara Wheaton, the prim east coast socialite who stars in this laugh-out-loud, swoony, STEAMY rom-com. The couch scene is simply iconic. You’re welcome.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Talia Hibbert writes some of the funniest, most adorable swoon-fest romances in the business, and she really knocked it out of the park with this installment of the Brown Sisters series. Don’t be fooled—Zaf has a gruff, grumpy exterior, but he is made of pure adorable, loving goofball energy.

With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson

I love Alicia Thompson’s work (and also her newsletters, sign up if you haven’t yet), and this is my favorite of her romances so far. Asa is the best kind of playful, an amazing flirt, and would have my heart pounding if he were my co-worker at my run-down wintery amusement park in humid Florida. Two thumbs up, would definitely goof around with this guy.

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain

Now, I’m gonna be a bit mean here and share some of my favorites that are publishing later in 2024, but you’re going to forgive me once you read them! Kieran O’Neill is the best kind of goofball—one who can also cook. If you love chaotic, handsome chefs with a heart of gold, pick this one up! Out September 2024.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

In this sapphic, opposites-attract romance by the voicy Mazey Eddings, our lovable goofball is Opal who, after winning the lottery, decides to go off the grid and buy a flower farm because that’s how adorable she is. This one isn’t out yet, but keep your eyes peeled! Out April 2024.

Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

Okay, maybe you like your goofballs to be of the Duke variety? Alexandra Vasti is my absolute favorite historical romance author because she gets every bit of it right—the voice, the period, the HEAT (OMG), and also the cheeky humor that makes me reach for historicals in the first place! I absolutely adored her Halifax Hellions novella series, and this is her debut full-length novel and y’all, it does not disappoint! Pick this up when you’re ready to blush, swoon, and pull the drapes closed for an evening. Out July 2024.

A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare

Cited by many as the ultimate goofball love interest, Colin from A Week to be Wicked is everything we love in a hot goofball. Amazing flirt, confirmed rake, and an all-around good time.

Grab this classic if you’re ready to jump into the best aspects of historical romance.

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

Another classic, Jeremy Wentworth is primo goofball love interest—mischievous, sexy, loving, hilarious—and also the owner of the whole village. Being serious isn’t generally how he rolls, but he’s serious as sin when it counts. Whew!

Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey

In this delightful novel, we get to watch two soft, sweet goofballs fall in love! Teddy works in a vintage toy store (adorable) and has a crush on the host of the local children’s television show, Everett (extremely adorable). Kerry Winfrey has a knack for writing sweet, heartfelt, funny romance, so try this one out next!

New Adult by Timothy Janovsky

I loooove me a time loop/travel story, and if you add in a goofball, I’m there. New Adult is everything I love most about romance—laughter, learning how to live the life you want, and falling in tender, beautiful love. Add this one to your TBR!

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by me, Laura Piper Lee!

In case you haven’t noticed, I know *a lot* about being goofy. If you’re interested in a messy millennial new mom letting go of the life she thinks she should live and grabbing hold of the happy life she truly deserves, which happens to include a handsome goofball who’s an impeccable flirt, a loving and supportive partner, and a beam of sexy sunshine, then please support this goofball today and pick up a copy of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair!

Happy laughing/reading/falling-in-love!

The post These Goofs Can Get It—Sexy, Funny Goofball Love Interests that Have It All appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

Hi, everyone! My name is Timothy Janovsky. I’m a multidisciplinary storyteller based in Washington, DC. I’m the author of the Boy Meets Boy series, which includes Never Been Kisesed, You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince, and New Adult.  I’m a rom-com connoisseur, a lover of cotton candy ice cream, and a die-hard Swiftie.

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

I discovered my passion for writing in elementary school. It was around the time I got my first laptop and was chosen for a creative writing “challenge” program. We’d steal away to the library for an hour every Wednesday and workshop story ideas and read fun books. At the end of the fall term, we’d have a tea party where our parents would come to school and we’d read our work aloud while having snacks. One of my stories in the fifth grade (a very depressing tale of a despondant orphan!) made all the parents cry. At first I was concerned that I’d done something wrong, but then I reconsidered and thought, “Wow, stories can make people feel such big emotions.” I knew I wanted to continue doing that for a long, long time, and here I am!

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

Diary of a Worm by Doreeen Cronin. I remember picking up this picture book in one of my elementary school classrooms during story time and actually laughing out loud! It was the first moment I consciously thought, “Huh…books can be funny?!”

Simon Vs. the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. I knew as soon as I read this book that I wanted to become an author because it was the first time, as a queer teen, I saw my own lived experience reflected truthfully within the pages of a book. It brought me so much comfort and joy. I wanted to be able to do that for someone else.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun. Dev and Charlie live forever and ever in my heart!

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

Whimsical. Heartwarming. Sweeping. Joyful. Honest.

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a friends-to-lovers romance, a New York City setting, and a corgi named Milkshake. They can also expect time-travel via a set of magical healing crystals gifted to our protagonist by a sketchy wellness company. Kissing and shenanigans ensue!

Where did the inspiration for New Adult come from?

New Adult was inspired by the 2004 rom-com classic 13 Going on 30. I wanted to take the tropes of that charming, time travel story (which I’ve personally seen a million times!), modernize them and make them queer! It’s also inspired by celebrity “wellness” brands and how their products rarely do the miracle work they claim to do in their marketing campaigns. My mind ran off with the question, “But, wait! What if they actually did…?”

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

There’s a scene early on in the book in the present-day timeline between Nolan, our main character, and Drew, his best friend and love interest. Nolan has suffered an Uptown Girls “swinging door” moment at work, leaving him with a fractured nose. Drew has taken it upon himself to “play nurse” for Nolan, going so far as to burst into his room wearing a skimpy nurse costume, holding a tray of aspirin. He’s got Drake’s “Take Care” playing loudly from his phone. It’s goofy and over-the-top and reminiscent of their favorite show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s the scene in the book where I honestly felt like at any moment these two characters could be kissing their faces off or confessing their love or jumping each other’s bones by the end of it and yet as the author, I knew they both had too many reasons not to.

When editing, I had to turn off my reader brain that was screaming, “Kiss, you fools!” It was the scene that solidified Nolan and Drew’s chemistry for me. I knew I had to carry that energy throughout the whole book.

Also, any scene with Milkshake, Nolan’s corgi in the future timeline was fun to write! Who doesn’t love a corgi?!

This is your third published novel! What are some of the key lessons you have learned when it comes to writing and the publishing world?

I’ve learned that writing is equal parts discipline and chaos. You can’t have one without the other. Some days, try as you might, you sit down at your blank document, and the words don’t come. Those days are just as important in the process of crafting a book as the days that you bang out 3,000 words in a couple hours and you feel invincible. I’ve learned to (mostly) embrace both!

As far as publishing, I’ve learned that books are such positive tools for connection. I never imagined when I was writing my debut novel, Never Been Kissed, that I would become friends with the owner of the drive-in movie theater that inspired it or go to a concert with two lovely, kind bookstagramers who came to one of my book signings! Publishing a book is like putting out the world’s most vulnerable Craigslist ad (am I showing my age here? LOL) and then attracting such a wonderful community of like-minded people because of it.

What’s next for you?

2024 is going to be a busy one! I’m helping to launch a brand new line at Harlequin called Afterglow Books. My first book out of the gate will be a fake-dating romance that takes places on the set of a Supermarket Sweep-style game show. It’s high heat and high stakes. It’s called The (Fake) Dating Game and it hits shelves January 23, 2024. It will be a followed up by a grumpy/sunshine, sommelier/mixologist romance titled You Had Me at Happy Hour. Check that one out sometime in the summer!

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

A couple of books that I read and loved recently that you can grab now are: The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith which is a contemporary fiction novel about a daughter and father on an Alaskan cruise; Boyslut by Zachary Zane which is a spicy memoir and manifesto; and Pas de Don’t by Chloe Angyal which is a romance that takes place in the world of professional ballet. A pair of romance books that I read early and you NEED to preorder right away are Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander and For Never and Always by Helena Greer.

Will you be picking up New Adult? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Timothy Janovsky, Author of ‘New Adult’ 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.