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.
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A River Enchanted
Author: Rebecca Ross
Released: February 15, 2022 by Harper Voyager
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Elements Cadence #1Amanda: Very excited about Ross’ adult fantasy romance debut
Susan: I love stories about magic being woven into the ordinary business of life, so yesssss to mysteries and magic! … Yes, I did read the Circle of Magic books at a formative age, how did you guess?
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Errant, Volume 1
Author: L.K. Fleet
Released: February 15, 2022
Genre: LGBTQIA, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyAspen Silverglade used to be a force for good, but now she’s just a sword for hire. On the run from the people she once trusted most, she needs to keep her head down and keep moving.
But old habits are hard to quit. One night in a tavern, Aspen tries to save a woman from some unwanted attention. The woman, Charm Linville, is in the middle of a subtle and delicate act of thievery, and she does not appreciate Aspen blundering in.
The disastrous and public rescue-gone-wrong makes the townspeople think Aspen and Charm are a couple. This mistake sets Aspen’s bloodthirsty betrayers on Charm’s trail, tying the two of them together.
Even if Aspen can’t run from her past any longer, Charm shouldn’t have to suffer. Despite Aspen’s determination to work alone, Charm insists on helping—and she has a past of her own. The two of them don’t care for each other’s methods, but as they journey through the villages and wildernesses of Falland, solving problems and meeting magical friends and foes, Aspen and Charm grudgingly come to care for each other. Can these two guarded, stubborn women admit their feelings, or will Aspen’s enemies kill them first?
Errant, Volume One is the first volume in a series of novellas. It contains two novellas, intended to be read in sequence, and is approximately 52,000 words total.
Aarya: Fleet is a pseudonym for three authors. Extremely here for more sapphic fantasy romance!
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An Impossible Imposter
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Released: February 15, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Mystery/Thriller
Series: Veronica Speedwell #7While investigating a man claiming to be the long-lost heir to a noble family, Veronica Speedwell gets the surprise of her life in this new adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.
London, 1889. Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian beau Stoker are summoned by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch. He has a personal request on behalf of his goddaughter, Euphemia Hathaway. After years of traveling the world, her eldest brother, Jonathan, heir to Hathaway Hall, was believed to have been killed in the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa a few years before.
But now a man matching Jonathan’s description and carrying his possessions has arrived at Hathaway Hall with no memory of his identity or where he has been. Could this man truly be Jonathan, back from the dead? Or is he a devious impostor, determined to gain ownership over the family’s most valuable possessions–a legendary parure of priceless Rajasthani jewels? It’s a delicate situation, and Veronica is Sir Hugo’s only hope.
Veronica and Stoker agree to go to Hathaway Hall to covertly investigate the mysterious amnesiac. Veronica is soon shocked to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past. To help Sir Hugo discover the truth, she must open doors to her own history that she long believed to be shut for good.
Sarah: New Veronica Speedwell – woo hoo!
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Meet Me in the Margins
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Released: February 15, 2022 by Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Inspirational, RomanceSavannah Cade is a low-level editor at Pennington Publishing, a prestigious publisher producing only the highest of highbrow titles. And while editing the latest edition of The Anthology of Medieval Didactic Poetry may be her day job, she has two secrets she’s hiding.
One: She’s writing a romance novel.
Two: She’s discovered the Book Nook—a secret room in the publishing house where she finds inspiration for her “lowbrow” hobby.
After leaving her manuscript behind one afternoon, she returns to the nook only to discover someone has written notes in the margins. Savannah’s first response to the criticism is defensive, but events transpire that force her to admit that she needs the help of this shadowy editor after all. As the notes take a turn for the romantic, and as Savannah’s madcap life gets more complicated than ever, she uses the process of elimination to identify her mysterious editor—only to discover that what she truly wants and what she should want just might not be the same. Melissa Ferguson’s latest—a love letter to books, readers, and romance—will leave fans laughing out loud and swooning in the same breath.
Catherine: Epistolary novel and enemies to lovers, yes please!
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The One You Crave
Author: Emma Barry
Released: February 21, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Political Persuasions #4“Aspiring”
Nothing is going Senate scheduler Molly Mason’s way. Her boss faces indictment, she got dumped on a first date, and she has laundry issues. When Gavin O’Neill pops up from behind a dryer to help—all six feet of tattooed, bearded, rocker bad boy deliciousness—Molly decides that she’s earned a break from her real life. She thinks it’s only a fling. He thinks she’s playing hard to get. But if they can stop thinking, they might discover there’s more to life and love than they’d been asking for.
“Kissing and Other Forms of Sedition”
When a global crisis threatens to go nuclear, the world tips upside down and spills out Graham Wilcox’s unspoken feelings for Cadence Martel. Cadence is equal parts shocked and delighted by his confession, but one night of passion isn’t enough. So the new lovers set out on a road trip to save the world.
“The Fourth Estate”
Reporter Drew Orlov wants to write about the corrupt president hurting regular Americans, but readers only care about the bombshells penned by his rival Brynn Allen. When he goes after Brynn’s high-level source, though, he finds himself snagged on more complicated—and personal—feelings. Brynn’s been working her tail off and doesn’t have time for Drew, even if he does look good when he smolders. They’re soon locked in a tussle for the truth with their hearts on the line.
“Run”
Public defender Maddie Clark doesn’t want to be a candidate for the state senate—but she’s running. Her high school nemesis turned campaign advisor Adam Kadlick shouldn’t be back home working on elections—but he is. They definitely should avoid falling for each other—but they won’t.
Contains some previously released material
Aarya: Emma Barry is self-publishing and rereleasing The Easy Part series after the publisher reverted rights. The books have new titles, covers, and edits. While most of the material published on the 21st is a re-release, I’m excited for the novella Aspiring, which has never been published before.
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Crown of Shadows
Author: Keri Arthur
Released: February 22, 2022 by KA Publishing Pty Ltd
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: A Relic Hunters #1The relics of the Old Gods are dangerous… as the world is about to discover.
Never mess with the relics of the old gods… or the pixies who once guarded them.
After her mom’s disappearance six months ago, Bethany Aodhán has been running their tavern in old Deva—something her family had been doing ever since a light-fingered pixie lost them the job of guarding the treasures of the old gods eons ago.
Then her brother, Lugh, is attacked, his best friend murdered, and the tavern firebombed. A confrontation with a former lover leads to the discovery of another murder and a missing jewel from a godly relic, and Beth learns that the Éadrom Hoard—one of three godly hoards now guarded by the elves—has been stolen.
But this is no ordinary theft. Darker forces are at work, and they’re not only seeking the means to resurrect a god of destruction but the power to forever banish daylight. That power lay with Agrona’s Claws—three godly artifacts that, when used together, give the user full control over night itself.
With the webs of suspicion drawing ever tighter around them, Beth & Lugh—with the help of two sexy elves and a cantankerous old goddess who knows far more than she admits—race to find the missing artifacts before those intent on unleashing chaos.
It’s a race they must win, because it’s not just their lives on the line, but the fate of modern-day England.
Amanda: This was recently mentioned in the comments and it sounds right up my alley!
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Delilah Green Doesn’t Care
Author: Ashley Herring Blake
Released: February 22, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Bright Falls #1A clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love—with all its complications—by debut author Ashley Herring Blake.
Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.
When Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.
Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms. Even worse, she’s starting to think she doesn’t want to…
Aarya: I adore this cover.
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I’m So (Not) Over You
Author: Kosoko Jackson
Released: February 22, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, New Adult, RomanceA chance to rewrite their ending is worth the risk in this swoony romantic comedy from Kosoko Jackson.
It’s been months since aspiring journalist Kian Andrews has heard from his ex-boyfriend, Hudson Rivers, but an urgent text has them meeting at a café. Maybe Hudson wants to profusely apologize for the breakup. Or confess his undying love. . . But no, Hudson has a favor to ask—he wants Kian to pretend to be his boyfriend while his parents are in town, and Kian reluctantly agrees.
The dinner doesn’t go exactly as planned, and suddenly Kian is Hudson’s plus one to Georgia’s wedding of the season. Hudson comes from a wealthy family where reputation is everything, and he really can’t afford another mistake. If Kian goes, he’ll help Hudson preserve appearances and get the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in media. This could be the big career break Kian needs.
But their fake relationship is starting to feel like it might be more than a means to an end, and it’s time for both men to fact-check their feelings.
Aarya: Another wedding-themed Berkley book! This time with fake dating and second chance to boot.
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The Lady Tempts an Heir
Author: Harper St. George
Released: February 22, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: The Gilded Age Heiresses #3A fake engagement brings together a lady with bold and daring dreams, and the heir whose heart she captured—perfect for fans of Bridgerton!
Tall, dark, and brooding—to say that American Maxwell Crenshaw stood out in the glittering ballrooms of London, is an understatement. He vowed never to set foot in England again, but when a summons from his father, along with an ultimatum to secure his legacy, has him crossing the Atlantic for the last time, reuniting him with the delectable Lady Helena March, he can’t deny the temptation she presents. Or the ideas she inspires…
Lady Helena March is flirting with scandal. Instead of spending her time at teas and balls in search of another husband, as is expected of a young widow, Helena pours her energy into The London Home for Young Women. But Society gives no quarter to unmarried radicals who associate with illegitimate children and fallen women, and Helena’s funding is almost run out. So when the sinfully seductive Crenshaw heir suggests a fake engagement to save them both—him from an unwanted marriage and her from scorn and financial ruin—Helena finds herself too fascinated to refuse the sexy American.
As their arrangement of convenience melts oh so deliciously into nights of passion, their deception starts to become real. But if Max knew the true reason Helena can never remarry, he wouldn’t look at her with such heat in his eyes. Or might the Crenshaw heir be willing to do whatever it takes to win the one woman he’s never been able to forget…
Elyse: I’ve really been enjoying this series.
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Manhunt
Author: Gretchen Felker-Martin
Released: February 22, 2022 by Tor Nightfire
Genre: Horror, LGBTQIA, Science Fiction/FantasyY: The Last Man meets The Girl With All the Gifts in Gretchen Felker-Martin’s Manhunt, an explosive post-apocalyptic novel that follows trans women and men on a grotesque journey of survival.
Beth and Fran spend their days traveling the ravaged New England coast, hunting feral men and harvesting their organs in a gruesome effort to ensure they’ll never face the same fate.
Robbie lives by his gun and one hard-learned motto: other people aren’t safe.
After a brutal accident entwines the three of them, this found family of survivors must navigate murderous TERFs, a sociopathic billionaire bunker brat, and awkward relationship dynamics—all while outrunning packs of feral men, and their own demons.
Manhunt is a timely, powerful response to every gender-based apocalypse story that failed to consider the existence of transgender and non-binary people, from a powerful new voice in horror.
Amanda: This was highly talked about in the Women in Horror panel I ran back in October.
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Must Love Hockey
Author: Sarina Bowen
Released: February 22, 2022 by Tuxbury Publishing LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Romance
Series: Brookyln Hockey #5.5Aarya: Initially released a free newsletter serial last year, Must Love Hockey is finally available for purchase this month.
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Only a Monster
Author: Vanessa Len
Released: February 22, 2022 by HarperTeen
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Monster #1With the sweeping romance of Passenger and the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song, this standout YA contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, is the first in a planned trilogy.
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .
. . . she is not the hero.
Amanda: If there’s even a whiff of monster smooching, I’m in.
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The Paris Apartment
Author: Lucy Foley
Released: February 22, 2022 by William Morrow
Genre: Mystery/ThrillerFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide…
Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.
The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question.
The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge
Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.
Elyse’s pick!
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Secrets and Truths
Author: Whitney Hill
Released: February 24, 2022 by Benu Hill
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Series: Otherside Heart #1Sparks fly when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Half-elven bounty hunter Lya Desmarais is living in exile in North Carolina after getting into trouble back home. When her boss makes it clear he’s got a target on her back, she seeks dangerous allies to regain control of her future.
Vampire vagabond Cade is running from his past and thirsty for more powerful blood than mundanes can offer. Most of Otherside is off-limits, but the human-blooded are fair game. When he and Lya cross paths in a scandalously sexy way at a Raleigh nightclub, Cade finds the perfect target.
But nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems in the supernatural community, not even lust. And for love to win, predator and prey must find a way to meet in the middle—or die trying.
Told from two perspectives, this red-hot, action-packed vampire romance has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happy ending.
Fans of the Shadows of Otherside series will see some familiar faces alongside the new, with this story set approximately four years before the events of Elemental. Newcomers can read this book as a standalone entry.
Content warnings: consensual on-page sex, physical violence, on-page death, blood drinking, swearing, slurs (not toward any real racial or ethnic group/identity), alcohol use, threat of sexual violence, implied past sexual violence, and remembrance of past abusive relationship.
Catherine: Honestly, I was just bowled over by the cover. But I haven’t read any vampire romance for a while, and this looks like a fun one.
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The Verifiers by Jane Pek (2/22): “Introducing Claudia Lin: a sharp-witted amateur sleuth for the 21st century. This debut novel follows Claudia as she verifies people’s online lives, and lies, for a dating detective agency in New York City. Until a client with an unusual request goes missing …”
I downloaded my most anticipated February release—Serena Bell’s WILDER WITH YOU—first thing this morning. It’s the latest in Bell’s Wilder Adventures series and features the widowed Wilder brother getting involved in a fake relationship with a friend of his late wife. Then they have to share a tent on a camping trip. I’ll be devouring this every spare minute over the next few days. Too bad I have to go to work!
February 22 is a red-letter day with a bumper crop of new releases: Jackie Ashenden’s latest HP, THE INNOCENT’S ONE-NIGHT PROPOSAL; Ruth Cardello’s HE SAID TOGETHER, the next in her Lost Corisis series, this one featuring a male exotic-dancer/stripper; Amelia Wilde’s BINDING CONTRACT, the third and final book in her dark Wealth trilogy; Ella Frank’s m/m, WICKED HEAT, the start of a new series called Chicago Heat; and Sybil Bartel’s ROMEO, the latest in her Alpha Elite romantic-suspense series.
And finally on February 28, C.M. Nascosta releases PARTIES, the sequel to her GIRLS WEEKEND. In this book, three female elves have to decide if the orcs they met on a girls’ weekend are going to be long-term relationship material. I love Nascosta’s world where humans, monsters, mythological creatures, and anthropomorphized animals co-exist (and interact with each other socially & sexually), but YMMV.
just letting you know I’m seeing the wrong cover for Crown of Shadows (I see A River Enchanted cover insread).
Oops! All fixed – thanks for the heads up!
Sink or Swim by Annabeth Albert (m/m) is due out on the 22nd. It’s the second book in her Sink or Swim series. The audiobook is narrated by two great narrators, Greg Boudreaux and Joel Leslie.
@Carrie G: I really enjoyed “Sailor Proof” and have a hold on “Sink or Swim” at the library.
The one I’m looking forward to is actually out today (but no stores in my city have a copy and it looks like it’s already backordered – maybe victim of the container ship cookbook sinking fiasco?). It’s a cookbook called “PlantYou: 140+ Ridiculously Easy, Amazingly Delicious Plant-Based Oil-Free Recipes” by Carleigh Bodrug.
I’m looking forward to the Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst, due out 2/22/22
Is “Meet Me In The Margins” really am inspirational romance? It is tagged as such, but the cover copy doesn’t seem to indicate any such thing. But then, I’ve never read anything by that author before. I’m intrigued by the plot of this one, but inspies are absolutely not my thing, so I’d really like to know. Thanks!
One of the 3 authors behind “Errant” is Felicia Davin, who wrote some quite good Sapphic romance in her fantasy trilogy “The Gardener’s Hand.”
@Katty: It’s published by a Christian publisher and a few users on Goodreads has shelved it as such, which is why I marked it as “inspirational.” Some reviews on Goodreads say there’s no outright discussion of faith and there is no swearing, steamy content, etc.
Thanks, Amanda! I don’t know anything about US publishers, so I didn’t realize this was a Christian one.
Must Love Hockey by Sarina Bowen was a pleasant read.
The cover of Manhunt is memorable.
@Kareni: It reminds me of something, but I can’t quite put my finger on it…
Also, kinda bittersweet seeing Catherine mentioned in both today’s Daily Deals and HYW posts
I’ve read The Lady Tempts an Heir – solid B.
I’m So Not Over You, Delilah Green…, Errant, A River Enchanted and Meet me in the Margins are on my TBR.
The COVER OF MANHUNT OMG.
I looked at it and thought, “Isn’t that a little…” and then I read the blurb and went, “yep. Yes it is. A lot.”
I just read Delilah Green in a day and a half and can’t recommend it enough. Best romance I’ve read so far this year.