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), and 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 early as the bigger trade houses.
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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Iron Widow
Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
Released: September 21, 2021 by Penguin Teen
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Iron Widow #1Amanda: The author said on twitter that there’s a poly romance.
Elyse: The amount of love this book has been getting on Twitter makes me so excited.
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The Legacy
Author: Elle Kennedy
Released: September 21, 2021 by EKI
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Series: Off-Campus #5Four stories. Four couples. Three years of real life after graduation…
A wedding.
A proposal.
An elopement.
And a surprise pregnancy.Can you guess which couple is which?
Come for the drama, stay for the laughs! Catch up with your favorite Off-Campus characters as they navigate the changes that come with growing up and discover that big decisions can have big consequences…and big rewards.
Aarya: This is a terrible place to start the series (considering there are four “where are they now?” novellas). It’ll likely be fantastic fan service for folks who are caught up.
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The Other Merlin
Author: Robyn Schneider
Released: September 21, 2021 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Genre: LGBTQIA, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Emry Merlin #1Aarya: I read this arc on a whim and it’s one of my favorite books of the year. It’s so… weird and cool. Think Galavant mixed with A Knight’s Tale mixed with Song of the Lioness. The anachronisms are the point! The lack of fidelity to the source material might annoy some Arthurian purists, but The Other Merlin made me so happy (I devoured Avalon High and Gerald Morris’s books as a kid). The humor won’t work for everyone, so definitely read an excerpt first.
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Under the Whispering Door
Author: T.J. Klune
Released: September 21, 2021 by Tor Books
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyWhen a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.
Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.
But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.
When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with.
Tara: Well, this just sounds adorable.
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Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 5
Author: Fujita
Released: September 28, 2021 by Kodansha Comics
Genre: Manga, Romance
Series: Love is Hard for Otaku #5After years of butting heads and petty disagreements, Hanako and Taro begin to realize that the next stage of their relationship may be the most challenging one yet. Naoya faces his own hurdles in trying to understand his feelings toward Ko, whose quest for personal growth has led her farther out of his reach. Fortunately, big brother Hirotaka has some insight to share on the topic, which may bring to light a new perspective of what Narumi means to him…
Susan: Wotakoi is full of nerdery and love of fandom, which means it’s basically my comfort food!
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A Reckless Match
Author: Kate Bateman
Released: September 28, 2021 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Ruthless Rivals #1The first in a new regency romance series about two feuding families and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love.
Maddie Montgomery’s family is in debt, and her hope rests on the rival Davies clan missing their yearly “pledge of goodwill,” ceding the land that separates their estates. With Maddie’s teenage nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, away, hope is in reach.
But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they’ve also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.
Kate Bateman brings crackling banter, steamy romance, and a dash of adventure into the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series.
Amanda: I’m really loving Kate Bateman’s books. Most of them have been B range grades or higher for me personally.
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Lakesedge
Author: Lyndall Clipstone
Released: September 28, 2021 by Henry Holy & Co. (BYR)
Genre: Gothic, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Lakesedge #1A lush gothic fantasy about monsters and magic, set on the banks of a cursed lake. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Brigid Kemmerer.
There are monsters in the world.
When Violeta Graceling arrives at haunted Lakesedge estate, she expects to find a monster. She knows the terrifying rumors about Rowan Sylvanan, who drowned his entire family when he was a boy. But neither the estate nor the monster are what they seem.
There are monsters in the woods.
As Leta falls for Rowan, she discovers he is bound to the Lord Under, the sinister death god lurking in the black waters of the lake. A creature to whom Leta is inexplicably drawn…
There’s a monster in the shadows, and now it knows my name.
Now, to save Rowan—and herself—Leta must confront the darkness in her past, including unraveling the mystery of her connection to the Lord Under.
Amanda: Is this a monster smooching book just for me?!
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Light from Uncommon Stars
Author: Ryka Aoki
Released: September 28, 2021 by Tor Books
Genre: LGBTQIA, Science Fiction/FantasyGood Omens meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in this defiantly joyful adventure set in California’s San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts.
Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: to escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. She has already delivered six.
When Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway, catches Shizuka’s ear with her wild talent, Shizuka can almost feel the curse lifting. She’s found her final candidate.
But in a donut shop off a bustling highway in the San Gabriel Valley, Shizuka meets Lan Tran, retired starship captain, interstellar refugee, and mother of four. Shizuka doesn’t have time for crushes or coffee dates, what with her very soul on the line, but Lan’s kind smile and eyes like stars might just redefine a soul’s worth. And maybe something as small as a warm donut is powerful enough to break a curse as vast as the California coastline.
As the lives of these three women become entangled by chance and fate, a story of magic, identity, curses, and hope begins, and a family worth crossing the universe for is found.
Amanda: Look, it’s compared to both Becky Chambers and Good Omens. I’m sold. Warning, though, as Sarah said there is an assault against a trans character in this book and it’s very painful to read.
Sarah: Queer found family and donuts. I’m in!
Tara: I have to second Sarah on this one. I hope it gives all the squishy good feels that the first Wayfarer book gave me.
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The Lights on Knockbridge Lane
Author: Roan Parrish
Released: September 28, 2021 by Harlequin Special Edition
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Garnet Run #3Can one man’s crowded, messy life fill another man’s empty heart?
Raising a family was always Adam Mills’ dream, although solo parenting and moving back to tiny Garnet Run certainly were not. After a messy breakup, Adam is doing his best to give his young daughter the life she deserves—including accepting help from their new, reclusive neighbor to fulfill her Christmas wish.
Though the little house may not have “the most lights ever,” the Mills home begins to brighten as handsome Wes Mobray spends more time there and slowly sheds his protective layers. But when the eye-catching house ends up in the news, Wes has to make a choice: hide from the darkness of his unusual past or embrace the light of a future—and a family—with Adam.
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Aarya: I’ve heard that the hero’s pets (tarantulas and other critters) feature heavily, so be warned if that’s not your jam.
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Seducing the Sorcerer
Author: Lee Welch
Released: September 23, 2021
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyHomeless and jobless, Fenn Todd has nearly run out of hope. All he has left is his longing for horses and the strength of his own two hands. But when he’s cheated into accepting a very ugly sackcloth horse, he’s catapulted into a world of magic, politics and desire.
Fenn’s invited to stay at the black tower, home of the most terrifying man in the realm: Morgrim, the court sorcerer. Morgrim has a reputation as a scheming villain, but he seems surprisingly charming—and sexy—and Fenn falls hard for him.
However, nothing is as it seems and everyone at the tower is lying about something. Beset by evil hexes, violent political intrigue and a horse that eats eiderdowns, Fenn must make the hardest choices of his life.
Can a plain man like Fenn ever find true love with a scheming sorcerer?
Aarya: Welch’s Salt Magic, Skin Magic is one of my favorite PNR/historical romances ever. I freaked out after seeing the announcement for the upcoming book.
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I can’t wait to get my hands on Lakesedge. And I plan to join the bad decisions book club. I might have to take off of work and stock up on snacks once I get the shipping notice.
(Since I *just* found out about this book, I request a 24-hour margin for error on the release date, which was yesterday.)
WHITE SMOKE by Tiffany D. Jackson, YA haunted house horror comped to THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and GET OUT.
I was bummed that two books I’d been looking forward to this month—Skye Warren’s BEST KEPT SECRET and Ella James’s WRATH—have both been postponed to future dates (the Warren in January, the James in October). But I also discovered two books that I wasn’t expecting are dropping in September: Karla Sorensen’s sports romance, THE LIE, and Cara Dee’s m/m (with one hero in the closet), A NEW ENEMY. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away….
I got a jolt seeing this post. September is flying by!
I’m still just reveling in the bliss of reading this week’s perfect-for-my-mood new release – Peter Cabot Gets Lost by Cat Sebastian. Nothing else looks as good.
I was looking forward to Annabeth Albert’s Sailor Proof – fake dating mm romance. And I’m sure I’ll be happy to read it when it comes out later this month.
@cleo Peter Cabot got me through the wait for Hurricane Nicholas to hit. It was just what I needed in so many ways. Except it made me hungry for a good diner and a milkshake with fries.
I’m excited for a few new books, all of which seem to be coming out on September 28:
(1) EIGHT PERFECT HOURS by Lia Louis — either romance or women’s fiction, but there definitely seems to be a romantic storyline. I liked her previous book, DEAR EMMIE BLUE, a lot!
(2) THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE by Richard Osman — a mystery with senior-citizen sleuths. The first in the series, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, was a straight-up delight!
(3) THE LAST GRADUATE by Naomi Novik — the much-anticipated (at least by me) sequel to A DEADLY EDUCATION. Can’t wait to see what El, Orion, and the rest are up to.
Earlier this year, Tor had a column of the most anticipated SFF books for the rest of 2021. This, the sole comment for LIGHT FROM UNCOMMON STARS, said everything:
This is one of the absolute best things I have ever read in my entire life.
That is all. Yikes and holy cow.
The entire post is here:
https://www.tor.com/2021/06/14/the-30-most-anticipated-sff-books-for-the-rest-of-2021/
Is The Lights on Knockbridge Lane the first m/m romance published under a standard Harlequin category imprint? (The previous Garnet Run books were published under the LGBTQ-specific Carina Adores.)
@Deborah – Yes!
I LOVED the first two books by Roan Parrish in the Garnet Run series, so I’m very excited for the third one! Bring on the tarantulas!!
Yay for Peter Cabot – I gobbled that right up and adored it!
It’ll still be a while, but Joanna Chambers announces a new book co-written with Sally Malcolm in her newsletter today – Total Creative Control will be out on October 28th. Available for pre-order now. It sounds good, and I like both writers so, yes, total auto-preorder for me.
Annabeth Albert has the first of new mm series due late Sept titled Sailor Proof.
Another mm author, Kiera Andrews’ new book The Chimera Affair releases in a few days.
For those who enjoy Melinda Leigh’s romantic suspense, the fourth book in her Bree Taggert series, Right Behind Her, releases in a few days, too. The romance is low key in this series, but I like Leigh’s mysteries.
I was going to ask the same question Deborah – thank you for answering, Cleo!
This is another month where I’m being boring and reading everything but the Off Campus series book, because I haven’t read the first half of the series!
I enjoyed the ARC of A Reckless MAtch.
[…] releases: Smart Bitches (romance), Tor […]
I read John Eyre by Mimi Matthews and loved it. It’s the best book I’ve read this year. I can’t give too much more away without it being a spoiler . Excellent creepy Gothic vibes. It was so interesting with the “Jane” being a man and Rochester being a women. It was also a dual timeline which isn’t everyone’s cuppa. But the second timeline was in epistolary form and done so well . I wish I could say more.
@Kris – Would you say John Eyre is a romance? Does it have an HEA? The author’s website lists it under Gothic Historical Fiction rather than with her other romance titles. I’ve really enjoyed the books of hers that I’ve read but am hesitant about this one since it’s so different. I’m wondering if the difference extends to the ending.
@MaryK- there is a romance but I felt it was a smallish part of the book. But it is there. There is definitely an HEA for the two MC’s. I was more than happy with the ending.
It is certainly a Gothic and while I wasn’t scared,I was creeped out in places.
I hope you do read it. For me it was a great change from what I normally read.
@Kris – Thanks very much! Now that I know there’s an HEA, I’ll definitely try it next time I’m in the mood for gothic.
Annabeth Albert’s first for the Carina Adores line, “Sailor Proof”, comes out on 9/28. Contemporary military m/m romance between a submarine chief and a video game music composer that has:
1) fake dating (and going viral)
2) best friend’s younger brother
3) virgin hero
4) “There’s only one bed”
5) huge meddling family
It’s a whole lot of tropey goodness (as you’d expect in a category line), the heroes have excellent chemistry, and I read the ARC in one sitting last night.