Hide Your Wallet

December 2021 New Releases, Part One

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.

  • Read Between the Lines

    Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey

    Author: Rachel Lacey
    Released: December 1, 2021 by Montlake
    Genre: , ,
    Series: Ms. Right #1

    From award-winning author Rachel Lacey comes a playful romance about a Manhattan bookstore owner and a reclusive author who love to hate—and hate to love—each other.

    Books are Rosie Taft’s life. And ever since she took over her mother’s beloved Manhattan bookstore, they’ve become her home too. The only thing missing is her own real-life romance like the ones she loves to read about, and Rosie has an idea of who she might like to sweep her off her feet. She’s struck up a flirty online friendship with lesbian romance author Brie, and what could be more romantic than falling in love with her favorite author?

    Jane Breslin works hard to keep her professional and personal lives neatly separated. By day, she works for the family property development business. By night, she puts her steamier side on paper under her pen name: Brie. Jane hasn’t had much luck with her own love life, but her online connection with a loyal reader makes Jane wonder if she could be the one.

    When Rosie learns that her bookstore’s lease has been terminated by Jane’s company, romance moves to the back burner. Even though they’re at odds, there’s no denying the sparks that fly every time they’re together. When their online identities are revealed, will Jane be able to write her way to a happy ending, or is Rosie’s heart a closed book?

    Tara: I’ve read this and it’s super cute. Inspired by You’ve Got Mail, but minus all that gaslighting.

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  • A Navy SEAL for Christmas

    A Navy SEAL for Christmas by Zoe York

    Author: Zoe York
    Released: December 7, 2021 by ZoYo Press
    Genre: ,

    Navy SEAL Ben Simmons’ return from an overseas tour hasn’t gone exactly to plan. He surprises even himself by agreeing to be a model in a life-drawing art class, because the alternative is a lonely, boring holiday break.

    For high school teacher Chelsea Doyle, who is spending Christmas alone for the first time in her life, the art class she’s signed up for should be a highlight. She isn’t prepared for the off-limits model to be drop-dead gorgeous, or to discover the next day that he’s her brand-new next door neighbor.

    A Navy SEAL for Christmas is a lusty, joyful celebration of holiday magic for people who don’t usually believe in love-at-first-sight.

    Aarya: The art model premise is one of my faves.

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  • Amor Actually

    Amor Actually by

    Author:
    Released: December 7, 2021 by Adriana Herrera Publishing, LLC
    Genre: , ,

    Nochebuena. One party. Nine Happily Ever Afters.

    It’s Christmas Eve in New York City, when anything is possible. For these couples, it’s the season to find true love. From second-chances, big leaps, missed connections, and reconnections, this charming collection celebrates the spirit of the holidays and delivers nine perfect HEAs.

    From seven acclaimed and bestselling Latina authors—Zoey Castile, Alexis Daria, Adriana Herrera, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, and Mia Sosa—comes a holiday romance collection like never before.

    Make the Yuletide Gay • Adriana Herrera

    After a string of broken engagements, an international Latin Pop Star finds love in her sexy and constant manager. Days before her big live holiday special, Vivi wonders if the woman of her dreams could finally be hers.

    Only Yours • Sabrina Sol

    ​​The Mayor of New York embarks on a Christmas Eve search to find the woman he loves before she gets away.

    Meet Me Under the Mistletoe • by Priscilla Oliveras

    Challenged by his friends to find a plus one to Nochebuena dinner or else, widower Hector Gutierrez isn’t sure he’s still got any good moves left. That is until he strikes the right chord with his son’s music teacher, Cristina.

    All I Want for Nochebuena • Alexis Daria

    When sparks fly between adult film stars Honey and Julie, Honey must work up the courage to invite Julie to her family’s holiday party or risk losing what she really wants for Nochebuena—a chance at true love.

    Santa’s Eager Little Helper • by Mia Sosa

    Sarita’s plan to confess her crush on a coworker goes awry when she’s tasked with playing the Sexy Elf to his grumpy Santa. Will she seize the opportunity to make Carlos’s naughty list, or will she spend another Nochebuena alone?

    The Nochebuena Dating Dare • by Diana Muñoz Stewart

    Eneida Lucero takes a second chance on love with the handsome musical director at her school—even if it means causing some Nochebuena drama with her ex-husband and familia.

    Love in Spanglish • Zoey Castile

    A heartbroken romance writer gets snowed in with a novel-worthy hero who may just make her believe in love again.

    To Us, You Are Perfect • Alexis Daria & Adriana Herrera

    Newlyweds Pasquale and Yamilette’s Christmas is just short of perfect. The missing piece is their best friend Marcelo, who has loved them from afar for years. This Nochebuena, they’ll finally complete their happily ever after.

    The Great Holiday Escape • Zoey Castile

    Gigi is always on the hustle, making sure her little sister has everything she needs including a big Christmas Eve fiesta with all their friends and family. That night, Gigi receives an all-expenses paid trip to a luxe South Beach weekend where not one, but two beautiful strangers steal her heart.

    Aarya: Love the details in the cover. Particularly intrigued in the Daria, Oliveras, and Sosa blurbs.

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  • The Coldest Touch

    The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling

    Author: Isabel Sterling
    Released: December 7, 2021 by Razorbill
    Genre: , , ,

    From the author of These Witches Don’t Burn comes another paranormal romance for fans of Richelle Mead and Stephenie Meyer.

    Elise Beaumont is cursed. With every touch, she experiences exactly how her loved ones will die. And after her brother’s death—a death she predicted but was unable to prevent—Elise is desperate to get rid of her terrible gift, no matter the cost.

    Claire Montgomery also has a unique relationship with death, mostly because she’s already dead. Technically, anyway. Claire is a vampire, and she’s been assigned by the Veil to help Elise master her rare Death Oracle powers.

    At first, Elise is reluctant to work with a vampire, but when she predicts a teacher’s imminent murder, she’s determined to stop the violent death, even if it means sacrificing her own future to secure Claire’s help.

    The trouble is, Claire and Elise aren’t the only paranormals in town—a killer is stalking the streets, and Claire can’t seem to shake the pull she feels toward Elise, a romance that could upend the Veil’s mission. But as Elise and Claire grow closer, Elise begins to wonder—can she really trust someone tasked with securing her loyalty? Someone who could so easily kill her? Someone who might hold the key to unraveling her brother’s mysterious death?

    Sarah: An F/F YA with a vampire and person who can see death, working together to solving crime.

    Tara: I’m reading this now and it’s a serious page turner!

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  • Internet Famous

    Internet Famous by M.B. Guel

    Author: M.B. Guel
    Released: December 7, 2021 by Bella Books
    Genre: , , ,

    Billie Alvarez is your average punk rock loving high school senior who just wants to hang out with her best friend, Rex, and get her ex-girlfriend back. In a half-baked attempt to impress her by auditioning for the lead part in the school musical, Billie gets turned down because she’s a girl trying out for a traditionally male part. When her online rant about the school being homophobic goes viral, she must navigate her newfound fame along with the typical drama that comes with getting through high school.

    Between rehearsals, trying to get her band back together and an endless onslaught of online admirers, Billie must decide what’s important to her. Is it the fleeting happiness of getting attention online? Figuring out what she wants to do after high school? Or getting her ex back?

    Then there’s her co-star in the school play, who’s getting much more interesting now that they’re spending more time rehearsing together.

    Tara: I really enjoyed the first book from this author, so I’m looking forward to getting to know these characters.

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  • Show Up

    Show Up by Renee Dahlia

    Author: Renee Dahlia
    Released: December 9, 2021
    Genre: , ,
    Series: Seraph's Burlesque Club #1

    A fake date … a real secret

    An invitation to her ex’s wedding is the icing on a crappy cake for burlesque dancer Yolande. Her ex ghosted her just as they were about to take the stage for their neo-burlesque act. Yolande’s friends at Seraph’s Burlesque Club persuade her that attending will show her ex that she’s moved on. She just needs a date.

    Shy bartender Reiko has a secret, or two. She can’t risk anyone discovering that her life as a penniless PhD student and bartender is a sham. And even though she’s been in love with Yolande since forever, when Yolande needs a plus-one to save face at her ex’s wedding, Reiko knows any fantasy of romance is just that – fantasy. Yolande will never notice the way Reiko looks at her.

    When the drama of the wedding reveals a spark of attraction between them, Reiko will have to risk her fake identity for the hope of real love.

    – found family
    – fake dating
    – friends to lovers
    – only one bed
    – lesbian romance

    Tara: I’m a sucker for fake relationship romances where one of the characters has a crush on the other.

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  • Too Much Man

    Too Much Man by Katy James

    Author: Katy James
    Released: December 7, 2021 by Carina Press
    Genre: , ,
    Series: Firebirds #1

    A grumpy former hockey player and a bisexual coffee-shop owner refuse to commit—to themselves or each other—in this fun, flirty debut.

    Piper Welborn has created a warm, welcoming space for all in her queer-inclusive coffee shop, even if the long hours came at the cost of her love life. But she’s not ready to welcome one man in particular—a grumpy, muscular former hockey player. His smoldering presence is a temptation and a challenge to her long-standing vow not to date cis men.

    Gavin Williams has no business starting a relationship, least of all with a woman he’s not sure even likes him. He can’t resist the Friendly Bean’s hot, pink-haired owner, but a casual fling is all he can commit to. He’s hoping to leave town for the next stage in his career…if he ever gets the call with the job offer.

    A friends-with-benefits arrangement is perfect for them both—but neither is ready for the feelings that hit. When the post-hockey life Gavin always dreamed of is suddenly within his grasp, they’ll both have to make a choice: hold tight to what they thought life should look like, or work together to build something new.

    Lara: Ignore the stupid title and the even worse cover, this book is lovely!

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  • The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 1

    The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

    Author: Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù
    Released: December 14, 2021 by Seven Seas
    Genre: , , ,

    Wei Wuxian was once one of the most outstanding men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts, knowledge, and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek a new power through demonic cultivation, the world’s respect for his skills turned to fear, and his eventual death was celebrated throughout the land.

    Years later, he awakens in the body of an aggrieved young man who sacrifices his soul so that Wei Wuxian can exact revenge on his behalf. Though granted a second life, Wei Wuxian is not free from his first, nor the mysteries that appear before him now. Yet this time, he’ll face it all with the righteous and esteemed Lan Wangji at his side, another powerful cultivator whose unwavering dedication and shared memories of their past will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them.

    Susan: I am trying to be restrained and not screech about all of the MXTX series getting translated, but I’m basically going to be staking out my letterbox until my pre-orders arrive. The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is the webnovel that inspired fantasy drama The Untamed, which I hope gives you a clue about how much pining, drama, and creatures I’m expecting.

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  • Humbug

    Humbug by Amanda Radley

    Author: Amanda Radley
    Released: December 14, 2021 by Bold Strokes Books
    Genre: , ,

    Ellie Pearce adores Christmas so much she celebrates all year round, earning herself the nickname Christmas Girl. If only she liked her job as much as eggnog lattes and mistletoe. Stuck as a marketing analyst for London-based recruitment company Caldwell & Atkinson, Ellie is desperate for a career change but afraid to take a chance.

    CEO Rosalind Caldwell needs a new personal assistant after the last one quit, putting the extremely important corporate Christmas party in jeopardy. Christmas Girl is just the holiday miracle Rosalind needs, and Ellie is quickly promoted to the top floor of the Canary Wharf skyscraper.

    Ellie isn’t a PA, has never planned a party in her life, and is terrified of heights. If things weren’t bad enough, she then goes and develops a ridiculous crush on her totally intimidating new boss. With the festive season fast approaching, what could possibly go wrong?

    Tara: I know boss/employee relationship romances aren’t for everyone, but this sounds adorable.

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  • The Love Con

    The Love Con by Seressia Glass

    Author: Seressia Glass
    Released: December 14, 2021 by Berkley
    Genre: ,

    He’s cosplaying as her boyfriend but their feelings for each other are real in this romantic comedy from Seressia Glass.

    Sometimes Kenya Davenport believes she was switched at the hospital–how else could a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay come from STEM parents? Still, Kenya dreams of being able to turn her creative hobby into a career. She finally has a chance to make it big when she joins the reality show competition Cosplay or No Way.

    There’s just one catch: the challenge for the final round is all about iconic pairs, and the judges want the contestants’ significant others to participate. Unfortunately, Kenya is as single as can be at the moment. Luckily her best friend, Cameron Lassiter, agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the show.

    Roleplaying a couple in love will force them to explore what they’re hiding under the mask of friendship. Can Kenya and Cam fake it until she makes it, or will she be real about her feelings, knowing it could cost her the best friend she’s ever had?

    Aarya: For lovers of fandom, cosplay, and cons!

    Shana: This has all the markers of a “break glass in case of emergency” comfort read.

    Elyse: I love a fake dating story.

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  • Twelve Naughty Days

    Twelve Naughty Days by

    Author:
    Released: December 14, 2021 by K.A. Linde Inc.
    Genre: , ,

    On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… TWELVE NAUGHTY DAYS

    Cancel your plans, because twelve of the hottest romance authors have teamed up to bring you a delicious holiday treat: a series of never-before-seen short stories inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas.

    Each of the authors will have an unforgettable, steamy story. Set to one of the twelve days in the popular Christmas song, it will be perfect for you to sink your teeth into this holiday season.

    Including original works by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors:

    K.A. Linde
    Skye Warren
    Fiona Cole
    Nana Malone
    Claire Contreras
    Nikki Sloane
    Giana Darling
    Sierra Simone
    CD Reiss
    Laurelin Paige
    M. Malone
    Angelina M. Lopez

    On sale for a very limited time at just $3.99! All proceeds benefit suicide prevention and will be donated to the Trevor Project.

    Aarya: I haven’t read most of these authors, but am interested in the Sierra Simone and Angelina M. Lopez contributions.

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Comments are Closed

  1. Ren Benton/Lena Brassard says:

    Guardian of Shadows: A Nyx Fortuna Novel by by Michelle Manus comes out on December 7. Second in series. Main character with a mysterious past is like a recently appointed TSA agent at an interdimensional port.

  2. HeatherS says:

    “Humbug” sounds super cute, and if it handles the ‘boss/employee’ trope as well as Meryl Wilsner’s “Something to Talk About” did, it won’t be problematic at all.

    I have had “Read Between The Lines” on my list for a while. So glad it’s finally out!

  3. FashionablyEvil says:

    I’m super excited for my copy of SPELLCLOAKED by Stephanie Burgis to arrive on Sunday. It’s a novella in the Harwood Spellbook series which is just a delight. (First book in the series is SNOWSPELLED.) Honestly, my only complaint is that they’re too short! Otherwise, I love the hero/heroine, the Fae are delightfully tricksy, and the found family angle is great.

  4. DiscoDollyDeb says:

    @Aarya: if you like art-class-model romances, have you read Anne Calhoun’s THE MUSE? It’s about a woman who has had the rug pulled out from under her (think: discovering her father and brother were behind a Bernie Madoff type con) who falls for her art class’s model (a veteran with his own issues to work through). It’s best if read as part of Calhoun’s The List series, but it can be read as a standalone.

    Thanks for the heads-up on TWELVE NAUGHTY DAYS. Somehow I missed it, even though Skye Warren, CD Reiss, and Sierra Simone are some of my favorite authors. Onto the December tbr it goes. As for what I already have on said tbr:

    Maisey Yates is releasing THE COWBOY SHE LOVES TO HATE on December 1. I’m not a big fan of cowboy romances, but Yates can always bring the angst so I might give this one—with a 30-year-old virgin librarian heroine—a try.

    Maisey Yates has been very busy because her latest HP, CROWNED FOR HIS CHRISTMAS BABY, is also being released December 1. This is a royal romance that starts off a new series with subsequent books (scheduled for January and February of 2022) written by my other Queens of angsty-heartache, Caitlin Crews and Jackie Ashenden.

    Zoe York’s novella, the aforementioned A NAVY SEAL FOR CHRISTMAS, with a Seal hero who agrees to be a live model for a drawing class, arrives December 7. York is one of my favorite writers of small-town/high-steam romances, so I’m looking forward to this little Christmas gift from her.

    Amelia Wilde’s HOSTILE TAKEOVER (not to be confused with the recent Lucy Lennox book of the same title) drops December 14. It’s the second book of her Wealth trilogy about a woman trying to save her father’s failing business and the man determined to exact revenge for the role her father played in his parents’ deaths. Based on the first book (NET WORTH), HOSTILE TAKEOVER will be very dark and uber-angsty.

    Cora Reilly’s mafia-crossed-over-with-motorcycle-club romance, BY SIN I RISE, PART 2, arrives December 15. I read Part 1 which (par for the Reilly course) was full of violence, virginity fetishism, angsty emotions, and rough sex. Not for all tastes, admittedly, but I love Reilly’s “what if a mafia romance was written in the style of an HP” treatment.

    CD Reiss’s TAKE ME drops on Christmas Day. It starts a new trilogy with a hero who made a supporting appearance in her recent DiLustro Arrangement mafia romance trilogy. TAKE ME is also a mafia romance that starts with the heroine being abducted on her wedding day. Reiss’s work is immersive and unsentimental—and she can get super dark, which I suspect will be the case with TAKE ME.

    And one sad no-show: Kate Canterbary’s THE WORST GUY (part of her Vital Signs series) had been scheduled for December 28. But I see now it’s been pulled and you can’t even find reference to it on Amazon. Alas! I was looking forward to ending the year with a new grumpy-sunshine pairing from Kate. Oh well, there’s always 2022.

  5. Momo says:

    “[…]how else could a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay come from STEM parents?”

    Ah, yes, anime, gaming, and cosplay: hobbies that are notoriously unpopular among people in STEM fields.

  6. Jess says:

    A book about a woman who doesn’t want to date cis men falling for a cis man, and they literally went with the title “Too Much Man”? Ew on multiple levels.

  7. Todd says:

    I suspect that “Too Much Man” will turn up in a cover snark feature. Just from the small image, it looks like his anatomy went a little … off.

  8. Midge says:

    SOMEONE PERFECT by Mary Balogh just dropped a few days ago – this is the last of the Westcott novels I think, Estelle’s story. I haven’t started reading it yet though.

  9. omphale says:

    Here are the two not mentioned above from my wishlist – IF THIS GETS OUT by Sophie Gonzales (two internationally famous boyband discover pants feelings for each other) and SUNDAE’S BEST by Riley Hart (bi/demi widower ice cream shop owner and the new guy in town).

  10. Heidi says:

    On my list:
    Carrie Vaughn has a new Cormac and Amelia on December 1. Her Kitty series is still one of my favorites.
    Another favorite, Kelley Armstrong, the second in her Cursed Luck series on December 7.
    And on December 14 Elizabeth Hunter has her fourth, Sweet, in the 7th and Main series.
    I love all three, so very happy about these releases.

  11. Heather M says:

    Aaaaah I’m so excited about the MXTX novels getting translated! I can’t believe this is the first I’m hearing about it. Couldn’t hit the preorder button fast enough lol.

  12. Chandra Blumberg’s book Digging Up Love is a rom-com between a paleontologist and a baker, and I am SO here for it! (It’s officially not out until December 7th, but my preordered copy arrived yesterday.)

  13. Midge says:

    Keira Andrews’ ONLY ONE BED dropped today – I’m hoping for all the holiday fluff! Looks like I am headed for Bad Decisions Book Club tonight…

  14. Lisa F says:

    I LOVED The Love Con! The rest of these lie on my TBR pile!

  15. […] lists from Amazon, PopSugar, and The Millions. For all you genre fans out there, we’ve got romance from SBTB, sci-fi from Tor and Den of Geek, and crime reads from, of course, […]

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