It’s that time again! Hide your wallet because we’re discussing May’s awesome upcoming books. The ones listed below are the ones we’re most excited about, but here are a few others you may be anticipating:
- Many readers are excited about Sarah J. Maas’ new novella, A Court of Frost and Starlight ( A | BN | K | G | AB ).
- Sylvain Neuvel’s Themis Files continues with Only Human ( A | BN | K | G | AB ).
- The Death of Mrs. Westaway ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) is the latest thriller by Ruth Ware.
- From Twinkle, with Love ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) is the latest adorable YA romance from Sandhya Menon.
- New Nora Roberts this month, titled Shelter in Place ( A | BN | K | G | AB ).
- Roxane Gay’s Not That Bad ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) is a collection of essays on rape culture.
- Sarah Beth Durst returns to her fantasy series with Queen of Sorrow ( A | BN | K | G | AB ).
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Bookish Boyfriends: A Date with Mr. Darcy
Author: Tiffany Schmidt
Released: May 1, 2018 by Amulet Books
Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Series: Bookish Boyfriends #1Boys are so much better in books. At least according to Merrilee Campbell, fifteen, who thinks real-life chivalry is dead and there’d be nothing more romantic than having a guy woo her like the heroes in classic stories. Then she, her best friend, Eliza, and her younger sister, Rory, transfer to Reginald R. Hero Prep—where all the boys look like they’ve stepped off the pages of a romance novel. Merri can hardly walk across the quad without running into someone who reminds her of Romeo.
When the brooding and complicated Monroe Stratford scales Merri’s trellis in an effort to make her his, she thinks she might be Juliet incarnate. But as she works her way through her literature curriculum under the guidance of an enigmatic teacher, Merri’s tale begins to unfold in ways she couldn’t have imagined. Merri soon realizes that only she is in charge of her story. And it is a truth universally acknowledged that first impressions can be deceiving . . .
Elyse says: Combine the words bookish + boyfriend + Darcy and you can just take my money.
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ISAN
Author: Mary Ting
Released: May 1, 2018 by Vesuvian Books
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: International Sensory Assassin Network #1THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.
SCIENTISTS WARNED IT WOULD HAPPEN.
Meteors devastated the Earth. World Governments developed plans to help surviving citizens. The United States disbanded and salvageable land was divided into our quadrants—North, South, East, and West—governed by The Remnant Council.
Struggling to survive, seventeen-year-old Ava ends up in juvenile detention, until she is selected for a new life—with a catch. She must be injected with an experimental serum. The results will be life changing. The serum will make her better. To receive the serum, Ava agrees to join a program controlled by ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network.
While on a mission, she is abducted by a rebel group led by Rhett and told that not only does she have a history with him, but her entire past is a lie perpetuated by ISAN to ensure her compliance. Unsure of who to trust, Ava must decide if her strangely familiar and handsome captor is her enemy or her savior—and time is running out.
Amanda says: Assassins and a scheming government agency! Yes, please!
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The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Released: May 1, 2018 by Harper Voyager
Genre: Science Fiction/FantasyWhen Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
Amanda says: This is one of my most anticipated titles of 2018.
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Prince Charming
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Released: May 1, 2018 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Series: Royals #1Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.
While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.
Sarah says: The heroine’s sister is about to marry Scottish royalty. There are shenanigans. I’m in.
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Song of Blood & Stone
Author: L. Penelope
Released: May 1, 2018 by St. Martin's Press
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Earthsinger Chronicles #1Between love and duty lies destiny
Orphaned and alone, Jasminda is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where she is feared for both the shade of her skin and her magical abilities. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive – an injured spy who steals her heart.
Jack’s mission behind enemy lines nearly cost him his life but he is saved by the healing power of a mysterious young woman. Together they embark on a perilous journey straight into the heart of a centuries-old conflict.
Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation.
The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.
Sarah says: Technically this book was released, but it’s not re-released in hardcover by Macmillan, so I say it counts. And it’s about a young woman who lives on the fringes of her world with a secret power called Earthsong. I read the sample and went back to read the book but it had been taken down with the NY deal and now it is BACK!
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Cinnamon Blade
Author: Shira Glassman
Released: May 7, 2018
Genre: LGBTQIA, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyEvery time Cinnamon Blade, crime fighter making up for a bad past, rescues the sweet and nerdy Soledad Castillo from bad guys, the two women’s chemistry grows stronger. Now that she’s finally asked Soledad out, sparks fly — but is a normal date even possible in a city threatened by aliens and vampires on a regular basis?
High-heat f/f romance starring a bi Jewish superheroine, coming soon!
Elyse says: First of all, the name Cinnamon Blade is amazing. This is a f/f superhero romance and I’m here for it!
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The Other Lady Vanishes
Author: Amanda Quick
Released: May 8, 2018 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: American, Mystery/Thriller, Romance
Series: Burning Cove #2The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Knew Too Much sweeps readers back to 1930s California–where the most dazzling of illusions can’t hide the darkest secrets…
After escaping from a private sanitarium, Adelaide Blake arrives in Burning Cove, California, desperate to start over.
Working at an herbal tea shop puts her on the radar of those who frequent the seaside resort town: Hollywood movers and shakers always in need of hangover cures and tonics. One such customer is Jake Truett, a recently widowed businessman in town for a therapeutic rest. But unbeknownst to Adelaide, his exhaustion is just a cover.
In Burning Cove, no one is who they seem. Behind facades of glamour and power hide drug dealers, gangsters, and grifters. Into this make-believe world comes psychic to the stars Madame Zolanda. Adelaide and Jake know better than to fall for her kind of con. But when the medium becomes a victim of her own dire prediction and is killed, they’ll be drawn into a murky world of duplicity and misdirection.
Neither Adelaide or Jake can predict that in the shadowy underground they’ll find connections to the woman Adelaide used to be–and uncover the specter of a killer who’s been real all along…
Elyse says: I really liked the first book in the series.
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Undead Girl Gang
Author: Lily Anderson
Released: May 8, 2018 by Razorbill
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young AdultMila Flores and her best friend Riley have always been inseparable. There’s not much excitement in their small town of Cross Creek, so Mila and Riley make their own fun, devoting most of their time to Riley’s favorite activity: amateur witchcraft.
So when Riley and two Fairmont Academy mean girls die under suspicious circumstances, Mila refuses to believe everyone’s explanation that her BFF was involved in a suicide pact. Instead, armed with a tube of lip gloss and an ancient grimoire, Mila does the unthinkable to uncover the truth: she brings the girls back to life.
Unfortunately, Riley, June, and Dayton have no recollection of their murders, but they do have unfinished business to attend to. Now, with only seven days until the spell wears off and the girls return to their graves, Mila must wrangle the distracted group of undead teens and work fast to discover their murderer…before the killer strikes again.
Amanda says: To solve her friend’s murder, a young woman gets into necromancy!
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The Way You Make Me Feel
Author: Maurene Goo
Released: May 8, 2018 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Genre: Romance, Young AdultFrom the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck.
Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn’t so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind? With Maurene Goo’s signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look.
Elyse says: This YA summer romance looks delightful!
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Pas De Deux: A Dance for Two
Author: Lynn Turner
Released: May 11, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomanceIt’s said the artist is born of a damaged soul…
Wilhelmina Allende is a prima ballerina. When tragedy turns her beloved Paris into a gilded cage, she jumps at the chance to work with one of the most prolific choreographers she’s ever seen. But Zack’s style is way out of her comfort zone. So is his teaching method. And his humor. And his everything. He’s a charming little connard. It’s hard not to like him. Merde. What has she gotten herself into?
Zachary Coen’s first musical is opening on Broadway. Much like his life, it’s anything but conventional, so hiring Mina is simply out of the question. She’s too…classical. Too perfect. She’s all wrong for the role. Then he meets her in person and sees her cracks. Her broken pieces. How unique and beautiful each one is. And he can’t help but notice how her edges seem to fit his…perfectly.
Just when teaming up seems to be working, the monsters they’ve kept hidden threaten to rip it all apart.
Elyse says: I’m a sucker for a ballerina heroine.
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My So-Called Bollywood Life
Author: Nisha Sharma
Released: May 15, 2018 by Crown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Romance, Young AdultThe romance of Stephanie Perkins meets the quirk of Maureen Johnson, then gets a Bollywood twist in this fate-filled debut that takes the future into its own hands.
Winnie Mehta was never really convinced that Raj was her soul mate, but their love was written in the stars. Literally, a pandit predicted Winnie would find the love of her life before her eighteenth birthday, and Raj meets all the qualifications. Which is why Winnie is shocked when she returns from her summer at film camp to find her boyfriend of three years hooking up with Jenny Dickens. As a self-proclaimed Bollywood expert, Winnie knows this is not how her perfect ending is scripted.
Then there’s Dev, a fellow film geek and one of the few people Winnie can count on. Dev is smart and charming, and he challenges Winnie to look beyond her horoscope and find someone she’d pick for herself. But does falling for Dev mean giving up on her prophecy and her chance to live happily ever after? To find her perfect ending, Winnie will need a little bit of help from fate, family, and of course, a Bollywood movie star.
Amanda says: We talked about this book in a previous Cover Awe and I need to have it.
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Nothing Happened
Author: Molly Booth
Released: May 15, 2018 by Disney Hyperion
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance, Young AdultIT’S MUCH ADO . . . ABOUT EVERYTHING.
This modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing takes place at the idyllic Camp Dogberry, where sisters Bee and Hana Leonato have lived their whole lives. Their parents own the place, and every summer they look forward to leading little campers in crafts, swimming in the lake, playing capture the flag and sproutball, and of course, throwing legendary counselor parties.
This year, the camp drama isn’t just on the improv stage. Bee and longtime counselor Ben have a will-they-or-won’t-they romance that’s complicated by events that happened—or didn’t happen—last summer. Meanwhile, Hana is falling hard for the kind but insecure Claudia, putting them both in the crosshairs of resident troublemaker John, who spreads a vicious rumor that could tear them apart.
As the counselors juggle their camp responsibilities with simmering drama that comes to a head at the Fourth of July sparkler party, they’ll have to swallow their pride and find the courage to untangle the truth, whether it leads to heartbreak or happily ever after
Sarah says: A queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing set at a summer camp. If that isn’t a most pleasant assemblage of words, I don’t know what to tell you.
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The Plastic Magician
Author: Charlie Holmberg
Released: May 15, 2018 by 47North
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: A Paper Magician Novel #4Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician.
Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery.
Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is.
Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.
To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair…
Sarah says: I read the first one in this series and this is the fourth, but do I let such things stop me? Ha! Not a bit! I know some of you are cringing – I’m sorry. The heroine of this story is a young American Polymaker, a magician of plastic, which is a new field in that world, and I’m very curious.
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Grumpy Fake Boyfriend
Author: Jackie Lau
Released: May 22, 2018 by Jackie Lau Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Kwan Sisters #1I’m a pretty simple guy. When I’m not writing a science fiction novel, I’m watching a good movie or reading a book. Alone. I like my reclusive life. That is, until my only friend asks for a favor—pretend to be his baby sister’s boyfriend on a couples’ getaway. Her ex is going to be there and she needs me as a buffer.
I should have said no, but Naomi is bubbly, energetic, and beautiful. She also means everything to her brother. But now, our fake romance is starting to feel all too real, and I find myself stuck between the promise I made to my friend and risking my heart to the one woman who might actually get me…
Amanda says: Pretty much everything I need is said in title: a grumpy hero & a fake relationship.
Sarah says: I read the sample and I was so in. Grumpy hero and very confident adorable heroine!
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Hot Asset
Author: Lauren Layne
Released: May 22, 2018 by Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: 21 Wall Street #1A sexy agent hounds Wall Street’s hottest new wolf in an exhilarating novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.
Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive off the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he’s met his match in Lara McKenzie—a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.
An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case—the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading—could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one. Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger.
She’ll do anything to prove he’s guilty. He’ll do anything to prove he’s not. But it’s only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now, taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It’s become a pleasure—and there’s more at risk than she ever dreamed.
Amanda says: Layne writes some great dialogue. Definitely a favorite author of mine!
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Making Up
Author: Lucy Parker
Released: May 28, 2018 by Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: London Celebrities #3Author of Act Like It and Pretty Face Lucy Parker returns readers to the West End, where it’s fireworks onstage and off in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown.
Once upon a time, circus artist Trix Lane was the best around. Her spark vanished with her confidence, though, and reclaiming either has proved…difficult. So when the star of The Festival of Masks is nixed and Trix is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, it’s exactly the push she needs. But the joy over her sudden elevation in status is cut short by a new hire on the makeup team.
Leo Magasiva: disgraced wizard of special effects. He of the beautiful voice and impressive beard. Complete dickhead and—in an unexpected twist—an enragingly good kisser.
To Leo, something about Trix is…different. Lovely. Beautiful, even though the pint-size, pink-haired former bane of his existence still spends most of her waking hours working to annoy him. They’ve barely been able to spend two minutes together for years, and now he can’t get enough of her. On stage. At home. In his bed.
When it comes to commitment, Trix has been there, done that, never wants to do it again. Leo’s this close to the job of a lifetime, which would take him away from London—and from Trix. Their past is a constant barrier between them.
It seems hopeless.
Utterly impossible.
And yet…
Sarah says: There’s the word “Lucy” and then the word “Parker,” and it comes out on my anniversary so it’s like it is a GIFT JUST FOR ME (I’m so freaking excited I am unable to can or can-can at this time).
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Monday’s Not Coming
Author: Tiffany Jackson
Released: May 22, 2018 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Young AdultA gripping, relentless, and timely new novel from critically acclaimed author of Allegedly, Tiffany D. Jackson, about the complex mystery of one teenage girl’s disappearance and the traumatic effects of the truth.
Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried. When she doesn’t show for the second day, or second week, Claudia knows that something is wrong. Monday wouldn’t just leave her to endure tests and bullies alone. Not after last year’s rumors and not with her grades on the line. Now Claudia needs her best—and only—friend more than ever. But Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.
As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. How can a teenage girl just vanish without anyone noticing that she’s gone?
Elyse says: A YA mystery about a missing teenage girl.
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Yessss! I am so excited for the new Lucy Parker! I am also excited for…*deep breath*….
– AFTERWAR by Lilith Saintcrow (May 8) – America in the aftermath of a second Civil War
– HOW TO MARRY A WEREWOLF by Gail Carriger (May 13)
– ARMISTICE by Lara Elena Donnelly (May 15) – omggggg, I can’t wait
– THE HENCHMEN OF ZENDA by KJ Charles (May 15)
– BY FIRE ABOVE by Robyn Bennis (May 15) – second in the Signal Airship series
I raced through Callie Hart’s DIRTY over the weekend and it was fantastic (also my nominee for sexiest cover of the year, so far) until I got to the last few pages and wondered how she was going to pull together all the plot lines so rapidly. I got to the last page and….NOOOOO!—cliffhanger ending!! The afterword says the second book is due in May, but I haven’t seen any reference to it on Hart’s site or other places. I’m looking forward to that book—whenever it might make an appearance.
YAAAS! The Court books by Maas are insanely good. The heroine is fierce and loyal and slightly misanthropic. The guy, whew…it’s hot in here.
Tantor Media is busily releasing audio editions of Jayne Anne Krentz’s contemporary backlist. (Seriously, these books are 25 years old. Her “romance classics backlist”?) I’m excited for FAMILY MAN (available May 8) and WILDEST HEARTS (available May 29). Family Man is one of my favorite JAK romances, and I really enjoyed the narrator’s (Amy McFadden) performance of Camille Monk’s Spotless series. Fave book + talented narrator = win!
The second Murderbot book! FINALLY. That’s Artificial Condition by Martha Wells.
The fifth book in the True North series by Sarina Bowen will be out on the 29th. It’s called Speakeasy and it’s (fittingly) May’s book. I was really hoping for f/f for her but what can you do…
@Frida. Yes for Murderbot 2 – can’t wait!
Also, can I just comment that these type of lists here at SB seem to be more heavily weighted to YA lately? Is this a conscious change in direction? I recognize that publishers and others are pushing YA hard, but as someone who has been reading romance and other genres for a very (not sayin’ how long but a loong time) I look for interesting adult books and I feel like they are being edged out in a lot of places by YA. Just wondering?
Latest book from Mariah Stewart has got me excited 🙂
@Joanna: It’s not a conscious change. It’s purely coincidental that there are times when some of us have more YA releases we’re excited about than romances.
For me personally, a lot of the YA books I’m looking forward to have romance subplots. And I adore fantasy, paranormal, and scifi, but finding a new romance that falls into those subgenres is tough for me.
I like romance in my scifi or fantasy books, so technically YA should tick a lot of boxes, except for the YA part. I feel romance novels often already have too young protagonists, and YA skews by definition even younger. But I have pretty much no interest in reading about the romantic problems in that age group and/or love triangles and protagonists often come across as rather simplistic. To me YA books seem often generated by mad-lib worldbuilding and lack substance.
As a chemist am really intrigued by the plastic wizard one – chemistry is the closest we have to magic after all – how heavy are those books on the actual magic-science and internal logic?
Amanda – thanks for the explanation re: @Joanna’s question about the seeming skew towards YA this month. What I noticed along with that is that there’s none of the usual end-of-month historicals. At first I thought that was because of Memorial Day, but the 29th is a Tuesday, so that doesn’t work (for me). Do Avon, Forever, Zebra, Sourcebooks, etc. take the month off from historicals? Or is this related to the big Reno-fest in May? What gives? Thanks.
Looking forward to the books from long time favorites, NR & JAK, but also Graeme Simsion’s Two Steps Forward and the third book in Lauren Dane’s Whiskey Sharp trilogy, Torn.
@Mona Yes, exactly!! I feel like publishers slap a really pretty cover on a book (seriously, why do some of the YA’s have the prettiest covers?) and call it YA and figure it will sell even if it’s as thin as cardboard. And yes, I have no time for some of the romantic silliness of much of what is published for that genre. It’s not that the protagonists are young, it’s that the reader is written down to.
I am so excited for Court of release (which I might read tonight as I pre-ordered so I know it is on my kindle) and From Twinkle with Love since When Dimple Met Rishi was pretty much my favorite palate cleanser in the past 6 months – I read it after The Female of the Species which was OUT-F*&#ing- STANDING but so intense (both reviewed somewhere on this site I think). But I am also looking forward to the third in Kristen Ashley’s Honey series after reading Scandalicious review of it this morning. I keep telling myself I should hate KA heroes but I just can’t seem to do so.
Finally Grumpy Fake Boyfriend is beyond catnip for me – my heart started fluttering when I saw the title because hello?? all my favorite things. Grumpy hero – check, fake boyfriend trope – check. Yippee
Was checking my Amazon preorders and I have 4 books arriving on May 28/29, including the Lucy parker one. Cant wait!!!
@ BetsyDub – My Duke book wish list is sparse for this month, so maybe something is going on.
I am looking forward to No Dukes Allowed which comes out May 15, but I think I’ll save it for Memorial Day weekend reading. Novellas by Grace Burrowes, Kelly Bowen, and Anna Harrington around three young ladies who rent a seaside residence to get away from matchmaking and gossip. We all know how that will work out!
I’ve read Monday’s Not Coming and it was amazing, heart wrenching, ovary kicking awesome.
Lots to look forward to this month! New Faith Hunter/Jane Yellowrock came out today (Dark Queen). And did I miss Mary Balogh’s new Westcott series, Someone to Care – it’s coming out this month, right?
Dark Queen, the latest book in Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series, was released today.
Things have been difficult at work for awhile and I’ve been frustrated and burned out. My boss surprised me by emailing me this morning and said, “It’s beautiful outside today. Why don’t you take the day off?” He didn’t have to ask twice! I’ve been reading and napping (accompanied by the cat) with the doors/windows open and it felt absolutely decadent!
I’ve seen titles above that I’m looking forward to. I’m also looking forward to Thea Harrison’s new short about Pia and Dragos and to new books by Mary Balogh and Carla Kelly.
All of these look so good! Also, I finally got around to reading the first two Lucy Parker books and they’re wonderful! In some ways they seem kind of old-fashioned, like if Rosemary Pilcher books had heroes that acknowledged sexism existed.
My husband: “You didn’t tell me you had a book coming out today.” (I had preordered A Court of Frost and Starlight, because I love that series.) Me: “Oh, wait until the 28th and 29th. Gonna be a bloodbath.” In that two days, I will have my hands on LIFELIK3 by Jay Kristoff, Shelter In Place by Nora Roberts, and Making Up by Lucy Parker. Make it rain, bay-bee.
I really should have just gone to bed without reading. Have to get Nothing Happened and Grumpy Fake Boyfriend. And Cinnamon Blade. And I read Song of Blood and Stone when it was self published, but I kind of want to read this version too. And Dirty. A hitman who really kills bad people. With a dirty mouth. God I want to read that. Okay I’m going to bed.
I *winced* at the “Court of” price for a novella, even a longish one. It’s a hardcover in print, which explains a lot.
Crystal: I always seem to be hit by the Super Tuesday release bloodbaths at the end of the month too. It’s like all my favorite writers get releases then.
I have the Rogue Hearts anthology and Gail Carriger’s novella on pre-order.
Goodreads says Miranda Neville’s (last?) book – Lady Scandal – is due out on May 29.
TWO Desi books coming out this month! My month is made! Again, wish they weren’t both YA though. Why can’t adult South Asian women have any fiction beyond unhappy arranged marriage narratives?
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@Mona I agree…YA should tick the boxes for me too but does not. I don’t want to read about 15 year-olds. It’s hard to believe in a happy ending when you know that person is too young to make that kind of decision. I would really prefer fewer YA recommendations in these columns, especially for pure romance books about characters younger than 18. YA problems aren’t captivating for adult readers and YA books tend to be fluffier. I do like Sarah J Maas, but her heroines tend to be a tad older and there are strong themes other than romance.