If you’re new to Hide Your Wallet, this is where we list new releases we’re pretty excited for in the coming month.
Each reviewer has a book maximum (five per person), but we’ve separated HYW into two parts. The first HYW of the month will cover books that release from the 1st to the 14th. The second HYW will cover books released from the 15th to the end of the month.
We also think this will help us feature books from smaller publishers who don’t have buy links up as quickly as the big five.
As always, if we missed any books that you’re particularly looking forward to, tell us all about them in the comments. Let’s nerd out about language, especially when it comes to cults and brainwashing.
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Cultish
Author: Amanda Montell
Released: June 15, 2021 by Harper Wave
Genre: NonfictionThe author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power.
What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . .
Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day.
Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.
Amanda: Let’s nerd out about language, especially when it comes to cults and brainwashing.
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The Hellion’s Waltz
Author: Olivia Waite
Released: June 15, 2021 by Avon
Genre: Historical: European, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Feminine Pursuits #3It’s not a crime to steal a heart…
Sophie Roseingrave hates nothing more than a swindler. After her family lost their piano shop to a con man in London, they’re trying to start fresh in a new town. Her father is convinced Carrisford is an upright and honest place, but Sophie is not so sure. She has grave suspicions about silk-weaver Madeline Crewe, whose stunning beauty doesn’t hide the fact that she’s up to something.
All Maddie Crewe needs is one big score, one grand heist to properly fund the weavers’ union forever. She has found her mark in Mr. Giles, a greedy draper, and the entire association of weavers and tailors and clothing merchants has agreed to help her. The very last thing she needs is a small but determined piano-teacher and composer sticking her nose in other people’s business. If Sophie won’t be put off, the only thing to do is to seduce her to the cause.
Will Sophie’s scruples force her to confess the plot before Maddie gets her money? Or will Maddie lose her nerve along with her heart?
Tara: Heist! Heist! Heist!
Catherine: I read this as an ARC and loved it – it’s absolutely lush with music and gorgeous fabrics, and it’s also a really fun, sweet heist romance. I especially adored Sophie’s family, and how accepting their community was.
Susan: I could probably talk forever about how much I love Olivia Waite’s romances and her approach to social justice in historical settings, but I think Tara said it best: Heist! Heist! Heist!
Shana’s pick!
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Not Yo’ Butterfly
Author: Nobuko Miyamoto
Released: June 15, 2021 by University of California Press
Genre: Memoir, NonfictionA mold-breaking memoir of Asian American identity, political activism, community, and purpose.
Not Yo’ Butterfly is the intimate and unflinching life story of Nobuko Miyamoto—artist, activist, and mother. Beginning with the harrowing early years of her life as a Japanese American child navigating a fearful west coast during World War II, Miyamoto leads readers into the landscapes that defined the experiences of twentieth-century America and also foregrounds the struggles of people of color who reclaimed their histories, identities, and power through activism and art.
Miyamoto vividly describes her early life in the racialized atmosphere of Hollywood musicals and then her turn toward activism as an Asian American troubadour with the release of A Grain of Sand—considered to be the first Asian American folk album. Her narrative intersects with the stories of Yuri Kochiyama and Grace Lee Boggs, influential in both Asian and Black liberation movements. She tells how her experience of motherhood with an Afro-Asian son, as well as a marriage that intertwined Black and Japanese families and communities, placed her at the nexus of the 1992 Rodney King riots—and how she used art to create interracial solidarity and conciliation.
Through it all, Miyamoto has embraced her identity as an Asian American woman to create an antiracist body of work and a blueprint for empathy and praxis through community art. Her sometimes barbed, often provocative, and always steadfast story is now told.
Sneezy: I’m really excited for this book.
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The Summer of Lost Letters
Author: Hannah Reynolds
Released: June 15, 2021 by Razorbill
Genre: Romance, Young AdultPerfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Ruta Sepetys, this sweet, summery romance set in Nantucket follows seventeen-year-old Abby Schoenberg as she uncovers a secret about her grandmother’s life during WWII.
Seventeen-year-old Abby Schoenberg isn’t exactly looking forward to the summer before her senior year. She’s just broken up with her first boyfriend and her friends are all off in different, exciting directions for the next three months. Abby needs a plan–an adventure of her own. Enter: the letters.
They show up one rainy day along with the rest of Abby’s recently deceased grandmother’s possessions. And these aren’t any old letters; they’re love letters. Love letters from a mystery man named Edward. Love letters from a mansion on Nantucket. Abby doesn’t know much about her grandmother’s past. She knows she was born in Germany and moved to the US when she was five, fleeing the Holocaust. But the details are either hazy or nonexistent; and these letters depict a life that is a bit different than the quiet one Abby knows about.
And so, Abby heads to Nantucket for the summer to learn more about her grandmother and the secrets she kept. But when she meets Edward’s handsome grandson, who wants to stop her from investigating, things get complicated. As Abby and Noah grow closer, the mysteries in their families deepen, and they discover that they both have to accept the burdens of their pasts if they want the kinds of futures they’ve always imagined.
Aarya: Hannah Reynolds is the YA pseudonym for contemporary romance author Allison Parr, who wrote some of my fave books a loooong time ago (okay, it was 2013 but it feels like an eternity ago). Check out the New York Leopards trilogy if you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’ve read The Summer of Lost Letters; it’s a very cute Jewish YA romance and I’d rec it for fans of Sarah Dessen.
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The Tangleroot Palace: Stories
Author: Marjorie Liu
Released: June 15, 2021 by Tachyon Publications
Genre: Science Fiction/FantasyNew York Times bestseller and Hugo, British Fantasy, Romantic Times, and Eisner award-winning author of the graphic novel, Monstress, Marjorie Liu leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her long-awaited debut story collection, dark, lush, and spellbinding short fiction you will find unexpected detours, dangerous magic, and even more dangerous women.
Briar, bodyguard for a body-stealing sorceress, discovers her love for Rose, whose true soul emerges only once a week. An apprentice witch seeks her freedom through betrayal, the bones of the innocent, and a meticulously-plotted spell. In a world powered by crystal skulls, a warrior returns to save China from invasion by her jealous ex. A princess runs away from an arranged marriage, finding family in a strange troupe of traveling actors at the border of the kingdom’s deep, dark woods.
Concluding with a gorgeous full-length novella, Marjorie Liu’s first short fiction collection is an unflinching sojourn into her thorny tales of love, revenge, and new beginnings.
Aarya: This is the first non-comic/graphic novel project Liu has worked on in a really long time. I don’t read a ton of short stories, but I’m super excited by Marjorie Liu’s return to prose fiction.
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Trans Medicine
Author: stef schuster
Released: June 15, 2021 by NYU Press
Genre: LGBTQIA, NonfictionA rich examination of the history of trans medicine and current day practice
Surfacing in the mid-twentieth century, yet shrouded in social stigma, transgender medicine is now a rapidly growing medical field. In Trans Medicine, stef shuster makes an important intervention in how we understand the development of this field and how it is being used to “treat” gender identity today.
Drawing on interviews with medical providers as well as ethnographic and archival research, shuster examines how health professionals approach patients who seek gender-affirming care. From genital reconstructions to hormone injections, the practice of trans medicine charts new medical ground, compelling medical professionals to plan treatments without widescale clinical trials to back them up. Relying on cultural norms and gut instincts to inform their treatment plans, shuster shows how medical providers’ lack of clinical experience and scientific research undermines their ability to interact with patients, craft treatment plans, and make medical decisions. This situation defies how providers are trained to work with patients and creates uncertainty. As providers navigate the developing knowledge surrounding the medical care of trans folk, Trans Medicine offers a rare opportunity to understand how providers make decisions while facing challenges to their expertise and, in the process, have acquired authority not only over clinical outcomes, but over gender itself
Sneezy: “Trans Medicine offers a rare opportunity to understand how providers make decisions while facing challenges to their expertise and, in the process, have acquired authority not only over clinical outcomes, but over gender itself.” Jesus fuck, get in my eye balls now.
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Very Sincerely Yours
Author: Kerry Winfrey
Released: June 15, 2021 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomanceA charming and heartwarming new romantic comedy by the acclaimed author of Waiting for Tom Hanks, Kerry Winfrey.
Teddy Phillips never thought she would still be spending every day surrounded by toys at almost thirty years old. But working at a vintage toy store is pretty much all she has going on in her life after being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend. The one joy that she has kept is her not-so-guilty pleasure: Everett’s Place, a local children’s show hosted by Everett St. James, a man whom Teddy finds very soothing . . . and, okay, cute.
Teddy finds the courage to write to him, feeling slightly like one of the children who write to him on his show. He always gives sound advice and seems like he has everything figured out—and he pretty much does: Everett has a great support system, wonderful friends, and his dream job. But there is still that persistent feeling in the back of his mind that something is missing.
When a woman named Theodora starts writing to Everett, he is drawn to her honesty and vulnerability. They continue writing to each other, all the while living their lives without meeting. When their worlds collide, however, they must both let go of their fears and figure out what they truly want—and if the future they want includes each other.
Sarah: Epistolary romances are among my favoritest things.
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The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
Author: India Holton
Released: June 15, 2021 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Dangerous Damsels #1A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.
Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it’s a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.
Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.
When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her–hopefully proving, once and for all, that she’s as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.
Amanda: Historical fantasy romances are so much my jam and I’ve been waiting for this one for MONTHS!
Catherine: Like Amanda, I’ve been looking forward to this one for months! It just looks like a heap of fun – romance and adventure and enemies to lovers. I can’t wait!
Shana: It’s been a long wait, but all will be forgiven when this book appears in my grabby hands.
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Astray
Author: Jenny Schwartz
Released: June 17, 2021
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist #1Nora Devi is a xeno-archaeologist with a complicated past. She has buried more secrets than she’s dug up. Widowed in the recently ended twelve year war between Capitoline and Palantine, she now makes a living as an independent tagger in border space.
Captain Liam Kimani could be credited with ending the latest royal war. Instead, he’s blamed for it. Dirty commoners aren’t meant to lay their hands on royalty.
He has no regrets.
When Liam and his crew of the battlecruiser RC Genghis Khan are exiled to Capitoline’s border they discover that life in unexplored space can be more dangerous than war, and that their best chance of survival lies with a mysterious, elusive tagger.
The only problem is that Nora’s secrets might destroy the precarious stability of the entire Human Sector.
Astray is a fast-paced, enthralling space opera of lost societies, ancient aliens, rugged warriors and semi-legal pirates perfect for fans of Lois McMaster Bujold, Becky Chambers, and Lindsay Buroker.
Ellen: This sounds like a somewhat Roman empire-inspired space opera, which could be very fun.
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Heat of Love
Author: Meka James
Released: June 21, 2021 by Jazen Ink Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Love on Madison Island #2A fire claims her bakery, but the young special investigator sent to determine the cause just might scorch through the barriers around her heart…
Regina Parker has four loves: her family, friends, business, and her community. A serious relationship hasn’t been on her radar since she became a widow. Life is exactly how she wants until it all goes up in smoke. Literally. The attractive outsider called in to help is a distraction she doesn’t need.
Firefighter Alec Hodge is eager to spread his wings and the assignment in Madison Island, GA gives him the chance. A suspicious blaze may have brought him to the small town, but enigmatic Regina keeps him coming back.
Sparks fly. Passions ignite. But when revelations hit like a backdraft, the newly kindled relationship could be snuffed out before it really has a chance to burn.
Aarya: I haven’t read the first book in the series, but I really like this author’s voice!
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Love Scenes
Author: Bridget Morrissey
Released: June 22, 2021 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomanceActing like she’s in love with her handsome nightmare of a co-star–in a movie directed and produced by her complicated Hollywood royalty family–is Sloane’s job. But what happens when the lines between script and reality get blurred?
Out-of-work actress Sloane Ford is in desperate need of something to do after losing her steady TV gig. When her famous family ropes her into working as a producer on their World War II-era romance, they neglect to mention that the film will be headlined by Joseph Donovan, her least favorite former co-star of all time. The roguish actor made her life a living hell the last time they worked together, using his movie star good looks and Irish charm to cover for his erratic professional behavior. On their new film set, he promises he’s different now, but Sloane is far from convinced.
As filming gets underway, it becomes clear that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When the lead actress is abruptly fired, Sloane agrees to step in and take over the role, and she starts to remember why she fell in love with acting in the first place. On camera, she and Joseph share an electric chemistry. Off camera, they’ve been honing their characters and, much to Sloane’s surprise, growing closer. But playing the role of a woman in love with Joseph Donovan is a dangerous business, and the more time they spend together, the less Sloane can tell what’s real between them, and what’s just for show.
Elyse: I’m a sucker for celebrity romances.
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Rare Vigilance
Author: M.A. Grant
Released: June 22, 2021 by Carina Press
Genre: LGBTQIA, Paranormal, Romance
Series: Whitethorn Agency #1Everything has a price. Especially the truth.
From the author of Prince of Air and Darkness comes the first in a thrilling new paranormal series.
Former Marine Atlas Kinkaid knows not to ask questions about the clients he protects at the behest of the elite Whitethorn security agency. Just like he doesn’t like anyone asking about his scars—scars left by a mysterious attack that haunts his every waking moment.
Consumed by the need to find out what happened to him, Atlas takes a job providing security to Cristian Slava, the indolent—and gorgeous—son of a notorious businessman. Cristian seems to be just another entitled client, but when nights at the club turn into secret meetings and people start going missing, Atlas realizes there’s more to Cristian—and to protecting him—than meets the eye.
But the same people who are after Cristian have something Atlas desperately craves: they know exactly what happened the fateful night he was attacked—and are willing to tell him everything…
For a price.
Lara: Vampires! People, there are vampires and I’m here for it!
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The Sweetest Charade
Author: Jadesola James
Released: June 22, 2021 by Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomanceA fake relationship leads to real love in this charming opposites-attract romance from debut author Jadesola James
Delysia Daniels didn’t intend any of this. Accidentally tagging the wrong person in a slightly racy photo could have happened to anyone. But when the slipup gains her thousands of followers and a much-needed opportunity, she takes full advantage. Fake dating an uptight history professor complete with the proverbial stiff upper lip will raise both their profiles, if she can just get him to agree.
Dr. Alexander Abbott-Hill isn’t delusional enough to believe his sudden popularity is due to his fascinating lectures. Agreeing to a high-profile, all-expenses-paid trip across the country isn’t exactly a hardship, although getting along with an online influencer might be. But he doesn’t plan on Delysia. She’s smart, beautiful, and far more…everything…than he’d imagined.
Fake relationship aside, neither of them is very good at pretending. Add their instant attraction and undeniable chemistry, and it isn’t long before they realize this fictional relationship is going to change their lives—just not the way they thought.
Sneezy: Aaaah Fuck capitalism, but as long as it’s around I want relationships of convenience! And after capitalism is over, I want MOAR relationships of convenience!
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Witchshadow
Author: Susan Dennard
Released: June 22, 2021 by Tor Teen
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: The Witchlands #4Susan Dennard’s New York Times bestselling, young adult epic fantasy Witchlands series continues with Witchshadow, the story of the Threadwitch Iseult.
War has come to the Witchlands . . . and nothing will be the same again.
Iseult has found her heartsister Safi at last, but their reunion is brief. For Iseult to stay alive, she must flee Cartorra while Safi remains. And though Iseult has plans to save her friend, they will require her to summon magic more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before.
Meanwhile, the Bloodwitch Aeduan is beset by forces he cannot understand. And Vivia—rightful queen of Nubrevna—finds herself without a crown or home.
As villains from legend reawaken across the Witchlands, only the mythical Cahr Awen can stop the gathering war. Iseult could embrace this power and heal the land, but first she must choose on which side of the shadows her destiny will lie.
Ellen: This epic YA fantasy series has many narrators and a sweeping scope but at this point I’m mostly reading for the very slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance between two of the principal players.
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The Witness for the Dead
Author: Katherine Addison
Released: June 22, 2021 by Tor Books
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Goblin Emperor #2Katherine Addison returns to the glittering world she created for her beloved novel, The Goblin Emperor, in this stand-alone sequel.
When the young half-goblin emperor Maia sought to learn who had set the bombs that killed his father and half-brothers, he turned to an obscure resident of his father’s Court, a Prelate of Ulis and a Witness for the Dead. Thara Celehar found the truth, though it did him no good to discover it. He lost his place as a retainer of his cousin the former Empress, and made far too many enemies among the many factions vying for power in the new Court. The favor of the Emperor is a dangerous coin.
Now Celehar lives in the city of Amalo, far from the Court though not exactly in exile. He has not escaped from politics, but his position gives him the ability to serve the common people of the city, which is his preference. He lives modestly, but his decency and fundamental honestly will not permit him to live quietly. As a Witness for the Dead, he can, sometimes, speak to the recently dead: see the last thing they saw, know the last thought they had, experience the last thing they felt. It is his duty use that ability to resolve disputes, to ascertain the intent of the dead, to find the killers of the murdered.
Now Celehar’s skills lead him out of the quiet and into a morass of treachery, murder, and injustice. No matter his own background with the imperial house, Celehar will stand with the commoners, and possibly find a light in the darkness.
Ellen: The Goblin Emperor was a wonderful and delightful court fantasy, so I’m quite excited to return to this world!
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Subtle Blood
Author: KJ Charles
Released: June 23, 2021 by KJC Books
Genre: Historical: European, LGBTQIA, Mystery/Thriller, Romance
Series: The Will Darling Adventures #3Will Darling is all right. His business is doing well, and so is his illicit relationship with Kim Secretan–disgraced aristocrat, ex-spy, amateur book-dealer. It’s starting to feel like he’s got his life under control.
And then a brutal murder in a gentleman’s club plunges them back into the shadow world of crime, deception, and the power of privilege. Worse, it brings them up against Kim’s noble, hostile family, and his upper-class life where Will can never belong.
With old and new enemies against them, and secrets on every side, Will and Kim have to fight for each other harder than ever—or be torn apart for good.
Shana: New Will Darling book!
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The Rebellion Engines
Author: Jeannie Lin
Released: June 28, 2021
Genre: Historical: Other, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: Gunpowder Chronicles #4A clash of gunpowder-tech and the machineries of war leading to a showdown in steampunk Shanghai.
Physician Jin Soling and Engineer Chen Chang-wei are stationed at a secret factory complex tasked with creating war machines. When a series of industrial accidents reveals an underground resistance, the two are faced with questions of loyalty, family and honor.
From a dangerous smuggling run in pirate-infested waters to the emerging cosmopolitan of foreign-occupied Shanghai, Soling and Chang-wei must contend with who, or what, is their true enemy.
Will they sacrifice their souls for the empire they have sworn to save?
Aarya: I am so freaking excited for the final installment of the Gunpowder Chronicles. A terrific steampunk series. I don’t think this will work as a standalone, unfortunately. I encourage y’all to start with the first book Gunpowder Alchemy.
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A Scot to the Heart
Author: Caroline Linden
Released: June 29, 2021 by Avon
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Desperately Seeking Duke #2An Officer and a Scotsman
Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.
A Lady and a Temptress
Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.
An Irresistible Attraction
Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
Claudia: I liked the first installment of this series, and looking forward to more!
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The Devil and the Heiress
Author: Harper St. George
Released: June 29, 2021 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: The Gilded Age Heiresses #2Sparks fly when a runaway heiress bargains with a devilish rogue to escape a marriage of convenience.
No one would guess that beneath Violet Crenshaw’s ladylike demeanor lies the heart of a rebel. American heiresses looking to secure English lords must be on their best behavior, but Violet has other plans. She intends to flee London and the marriage her parents have arranged to become a published author–if only the wickedly handsome earl who inspired her most outrageously sinful character didn’t insist on coming with her.
Christian Halston, Earl of Leigh, has a scheme of his own: escort the surprisingly spirited dollar princess north and use every delicious moment in close quarters to convince Violet to marry him. Christian needs an heiress to rebuild his Scottish estate but the more time he spends with Violet, the more he realizes what he really needs is her–by his side, near his heart, in his bed.
Though Christian’s burning glances offer unholy temptation, Violet has no intention of surrendering herself or her newfound freedom in a permanent deal with the devil. It’s going to take more than pretty words to prove this fortune hunter’s love is true….
Amanda: I loved the first book in the series and I loved all the teasers in that book for this couple. So excited to see them with their own story.
Elyse: I enjoyed St. George’s first novel so I’m eager for the next one.
Claudia: Solid read, and a good entry for any “I am undone by a competent queen” future request.
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Someone to Cherish
Author: Mary Balogh
Released: June 29, 2021 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Westcott #8Is love worth the loss of one’s freedom and independence? This is what Mrs. Tavernor must decide in the new novel in the Westcott series from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.
When Harry Westcott lost the title Earl of Riverdale after the discovery of his father’s bigamy, he shipped off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, where he was near-fatally wounded. After a harrowing recovery, the once cheery, light-hearted boy has become a reclusive, somber man. Though Harry insists he enjoys the solitude, he does wonder sometimes if he is lonely.
Lydia Tavernor, recently widowed, dreams of taking a lover. Her marriage to Reverend Isaiah Tavernor was one of service and obedience, and she has secretly enjoyed her freedom since his death. She doesn’t want to shackle herself to another man in marriage, but sometimes, she wonders if she is lonely.
Both are unwilling to face the truth until they find themselves alone together one night, and Lydia surprises even herself with a simple question: “Are you ever lonely?” Harry’s answer leads them down a path neither could ever have imagined…
Elyse: Mary Balogh is an auto-buy for me.
Claudia: Finally, Harry’s book! We’ve seen him go from spoiled heir to wounded veteran to quiet country gentleman through the many Westcott books, and it will be awesome to see him get his HEA.
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What Happens in Miami…
Author: Nadine Gonzalez
Released: June 29, 2021 by Harlequin Desire
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Miami Famous #2When a man on a mission is derailed by a beautiful woman, will one night ever be enough?
Will one night be his undoing?
Alessandro Cardenas isn’t stepping out on the Miami art scene only for the hottest parties. Someone is forging his late grandfather’s paintings—and he’s determined to uncover the culprit. But when he crosses paths with gallerist Angeline Louis, the boundaries between mystery and seduction become blurred. Does Angeline suspect his ulterior motives…even as she surrenders to his kisses? Does she have secrets of her own? Or can Alessandro trust that their once-in-a-lifetime connection is real?
Aarya: The gallery-owner heroine is so over-represented in romance novels and I adore it.
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I’ll be checking out Astray when it releases.
Another is Becoming Crone by Lydia M. Hawke if only because it has an older (60) heroine paired with what seems like the usual paranormal hijinks. I like the idea of having a magical transformation to look forward to.
My brain is now chanting, “HEIST, HEIST, HEIST” and I will have to obtain the Waite soon to soothe that.
Some other really intriguing books on this list I’ll have to look at again once my brain has stopped with the “HEIST, HEIST, HEIST,” thanks for some great prospective reads!
I, too, am looking forward to The Witness for the Dead. Thanks for a list with lots of enticing choices!
TamB. already mentioned BECOMING CRONE by Lydia M. Hawke. I’ll just add it’s out June 17.
DARLING by K. Ancrum on June 22 is a contemporary Peter Pan retelling.
THIS POISON HEART by Kalynn Bayron on June 29 is a Secret Garden retelling with magic and Greek mythology.
I didn’t know “Witness for the Dead” was so close to being released. Excitement! I loved “The Goblin Emperor” so much.
I’m so looking forward to the Mary Balogh, and I think I going to reread the Westcott series again to catch up and just for comfort. I’ve been so stressed lately, and right now I’m reading a lot of Harry Potter fanfic for comfort but would like to get back into books so Balogh it is as she’s very soothing.
Hellion’s Waltz was sadly the weakest of Waite’s books thus far for me (but it’s still pretty damn good – It’s a B+ for me, downgraded because of the villain being a bit obvious).
What Happens in Miami…, Someone to Cherish, The Devil and the Heiress, A Scotto the Heart, Subtle Blood, The Sweetest Charade, Rare Vigilance, Heat of Love, Love Scenes, Not Yo Butterfly, the Summer of Lost Letters, Wiseria Society, Very Sincerely Yours and Trans Medicine are on my TBR pile.
The Waite dropped into my Kindle app overnight, but of course I’m going to have to get the paperback, too. I REALLY wish that I was one of those people who was content with just having ebooks (it would make moving SO MUCH easier), but I’m not. All the paper! XD
I’ve liked a few Jenny Schwartz books but have found most of them to be of the drag-out-a-story-for-page-count-purposes variety. So I’m interested but not optimistic.
I really enjoyed The Goblin Emperor but Addison’s next book, The Angel of the Crows, was such a disappointing bait and switch that I shy away whenever I see her name.
I loved the first book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series and have been looking forward to this one.
I’ve read an ARC of Witness for the Dead; it’s lovely.
If your TBR needs paranormal ageplay crazysauce, FANG YOU, BABY is now available. This is book 4 in A. Little’s series, LITTLES OF THE NIGHT. It’s an original and strangely addictive take on fated vampire mates. Like a mashup between Scooby-Doo and the Sookie Stackhouse books, but with MM ageplay. You can find them on Amazon and Smashwords.
You can download book 2, PUT ON THE SPOT, for free right now via a BookFunnel giveaway.
https://books.bookfunnel.com/sweetandsteamymmromance/v7pe1dnb0t
CW for consensual vampiric blood-drinking, references to past child abuse, offscreen murders.
Oh wow, this Asheville ad is super annoying. I’ve closed it 10x at least, and it keeps coming back and creeping up the screen. (Huge fan/supporter of the site xo)
@Alceinwdld: If there are ever intrusive or inappropriate ads, you can send Sarah an email about it and we can try to pull it out of the rotation.
@Amanda, I’m starting to feel very anti-California Avocados when their ad keeps interrupting my ability to post comments.
@Kareni, @Alceinsdld: Are y’all on mobile or tablets, or on a desktop/laptop? I can indeed flag specific ads to make them stop, but it helps to know platform. Thank you for the feedback and for the understanding! Striking the balance can be hard!
The Pampers ad takes up too much of my iPhone screen and is particularly irritating because it’s a video.
@SB Sarah- this was on mobile
Thanks!
I just downloaded subtle blood by kJ charles so now I can start the Will Darling Adventures without having to come up for air.
I am also a sucker for celebrity romances.