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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Truth and Measure
Author: Roslyn Sinclair
Released: April 25, 2022 by Ylva Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: The Carlisle Series #1What happens when the world’s fiercest fashion editor learns she’s pregnant—and her distracting assistant is the only one she can turn to? This wildly popular age-gap lesbian romance mixes humor and chaos with self-discovery.
Jules Moretti is newly single, an aspiring writer, and the hyper-competent assistant to the most powerful woman in fashion. It’s a tough job, but her ice queen boss won’t settle for less than perfection.
Vivian Carlisle helms the internationally revered fashion publication Du Jour. She might be smack in the middle of a messy divorce, but you have to make sacrifices to be the best. That’s what she tells herself, anyway.
When the unthinkable happens, Vivian’s regimented world is turned upside-down. Her life is about power, success, and dominance—not a baby!
This single, shocking moment throws boss and assistant together into an intimacy neither could have imagined. With their lives in chaos, every day brings a new challenge bigger than the last. But everything will work out…just so long as they don’t do anything totally ridiculous.
Like fall in love.
Truth and Measure is the first part of a two-book series. This slow-burn office romance is a steamy story of fashion, passion, and the power of the unexpected.
Tara: Truth and Measure started out as my favourite ever fanfic in the whole world. So, I’ve been both excited and terrified for this one to come out. I’ve read this first part twice already and I adore it.
Susan: I don’t think I should admit how many times I’ve read the fic version of Truth and Measure, but I can assure you that I SCREAMED when I found out it was being published. I am so excited for it to punch me in my feelings all over again!
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The Cherry Robbers
Author: Sarai Walker
Released: May 17, 2022 by Harper
Genre: Gothic, Literary FictionThe highly anticipated second novel from Sarai Walker, following her “slyly subversive” (EW) cult-hit Dietland—a feminist gothic about the lone survivor of a cursed family of sisters, whose time may finally be up.
New Mexico, 2017: Sylvia Wren is one of the most important American artists of the past century. Known as a recluse, she avoids all public appearances. There’s a reason: she’s living under an assumed identity, having outrun a tragic past. But when a hungry journalist starts chasing her story, she’s confronted with whom she once was: Iris Chapel.
Connecticut, 1950: Iris Chapel is the second youngest of six sisters, all heiresses to a firearms fortune. They’ve grown up cloistered in a palatial Victorian house, mostly neglected by their distant father and troubled mother, who believes that their house is haunted by the victims of Chapel weapons. The girls long to escape, and for most of them, the only way out is marriage. But not long after the first Chapel sister walks down the aisle, she dies of mysterious causes, a tragedy that repeats with the second, leaving the rest to navigate the wreckage, to heart-wrenching consequences.
Ultimately, Iris flees the devastation of her family, and so begins the story of Sylvia Wren. But can she outrun the family curse forever?
Amanda: Seems just the right amount of spookiness for springtime.
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From Bad to Cursed
Author: Lana Harper
Released: May 17, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: The Witches of Thistle Grove #2Opposites attract in this wickedly charming rom-com by Lana Harper, author of Payback’s a Witch.
Wild child Isidora Avramov is a thrill chaser, adept demon summoner, and—despite the whole sexy-evil-sorceress vibe—also a cuddly animal lover. When she’s not designing costumes and new storylines for the Arcane Emporium’s haunted house, Issa’s nursing a secret, conflicted dream of ditching her family’s witchy business to become an indie fashion designer in her own right.
But when someone starts sabotaging the celebrations leading up to this year’s Beltane festival with dark, dangerous magic, a member of the rival Thorn family gets badly hurt—throwing immediate suspicion on the Avramovs. To clear the Avramov name and step up for her family when they need her the most, Issa agrees to serve as a co-investigator, helping none other than Rowan Thorn get to the bottom of things.
Rowan is the very definition of lawful good, so tragically noble and by-the-book he makes Issa’s teeth hurt. In accordance with their families’ complicated history, he and Issa have been archenemies for years and have grown to heartily loathe each other. But as the unlikely duo follow a perplexing trail of clues to a stunning conclusion, Issa and Rowan discover how little they really know each other… and stumble upon a maddening attraction that becomes harder to ignore by the day.
Sarah: I loved the first book, Payback’s a Witch, and am very very excited to read this one!
Amanda: Totally loving this series and I’m so excited for this one!
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See You Yesterday
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Released: May 17, 2022 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: New Adult, Time Travel, Romance, Young AdultBarrett Bloom is hoping college will be a fresh start after a messy high school experience. But when school begins on September 21st, everything goes wrong. She’s humiliated by the know-it-all in her physics class, she botches her interview for the college paper, and at a party that night, she accidentally sets a frat on fire. She panics and flees, and when she realizes her roommate locked her out of their dorm, she falls asleep in the common room.
The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find herself back in her dorm room bed, no longer smelling of ashes and crushed dreams. It’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from Physics 101, she learns she’s not alone—he’s been trapped for months.
When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to find a way out. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. As they start falling for each other, they face the universe’s biggest unanswered question yet: what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow?
Aarya: Time loop romance works so much better when all the love interests are stuck in the loop together (see Palm Springs).
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Something Wilder
Author: Christina Lauren
Released: May 17, 2022 by Gallery
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Women's FictionGrowing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession…or much money in the bank. But Lily is nothing if not resourceful, and now uses Duke’s coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but doesn’t leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails. Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness—and leave him there.
Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they’d barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire. Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love. Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it’s never going to happen.
But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn’t a gimmick after all. There’s a chance to right the wrongs—of Duke’s past and their own—but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together. Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the adventure of a lifetime.
From the author of the “heartfelt and funny” (Publishers Weekly) sensation The Unhoneymooners, this page-turning adventure full of second chances, complicated relationships, and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest will take fans on one wild ride.
Sarah: I love a treasure hunt story!
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The Stardust Thief
Author: Chelsea Abdullah
Released: May 17, 2022 by Orbit
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Sandsea Trilogy #1Amanda: New fantasy series that seems perfect for fans of the Daevabad trilogy!!
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A Lady for a Duke
Author: Alexis Hall
Released: May 24, 2022 by Forever
Genre: Historical: European, LGBTQIA, RomanceWhen Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.
Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.
As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.
Elyse: A historical romance with a trans heroine from the author of Boyfriend Material. Say no more!
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The Bride Goes Rogue
Author: Joanna Shupe
Released: May 24, 2022 by Avon
Genre: Historical: American, Romance
Series: Fifth Avenue Rebels #3By beloved USA Today bestselling author Joanna Shupe, the third installment in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series about an arranged engagement destined for disaster.
A hard-hearted tycoon.
A romantic dreamer.
An engagement set up to fail.
The charismatic and vivacious Katherine Delafield should be married by now. Her father arranged an engagement to the much sought-after tycoon Preston Clarke ages ago. The only problem is Preston refuses to acknowledge it. But this isn’t going to stop Katherine from living life to the fullest as she ditches all silly notions of love and marriage and sets out to sample all the excitement New York City has to offer… the more scandalous the better. Because no matter what happens, she and Preston will never marry.
After a tormented childhood, Preston is done letting his father control his life—including choosing his bride. But when a mysterious lover at a masquerade turns out to be his would-be fiancée, Preston’s resolve begins to crumble. He hadn’t expected Katherine to be so charming. Or beautiful. Or passionate. And seeing her out on the town with other men is driving him crazy.
What happens when the wrong bride turns out to be the right woman after all?
Elyse: I adore this series!
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The Inadequate Heir
Author: Danielle Jensen
Released: May 24, 2022 by CLA
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Bridge Kingdom #3Return to the world of The Bridge Kingdom in this sensuous fantasy full of romance and intrigue that is perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Silver Flames.
A soldier raised as heir to an empire, Zarrah is motivated by two truths. The first is that the Veliant family murdered her mother. And the second is that her pursuit of vengeance will put every last one of them in their graves.
The Endless War between Maridrina and Valcotta has raged for generations, leaving thousands of Zarrah’s people dead and countless more orphaned. So when she’s given command of the contested city of Nerastis, Zarrah is prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy the Maridrinian forces who oppose her. And to kill the Veliant prince who leads them.
Yet a chance encounter with an anonymous, and handsome, Maridrinian causes Zarrah to question whether the violence she’s perpetrated is justice or a crime. And as she continues to meet the nameless man each night, she finds common ground – and fiery passion – in his arms.
But when identities are revealed, Zarrah must decide whether to embrace a chance at peace…or march to the drums of war.
Aarya: This entire series has audible-first releases, so I’ve already read and loved this book. I really like how the duologies (featuring different couples) within the series have overlapping timelines.
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Our Last Days in Barcelona
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Released: May 24, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Literary FictionWhen Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s new novel.
Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.
Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.
Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts.
Aarya: I hope Cleeton never stops writing historical fiction because I will continue to devour it.
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You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
Author: Akwaeke Emezi
Released: May 24, 2022 by Atria Books
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance, Women's FictionA New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist reimagines the love story in this fresh and seductive novel about a young woman seeking joy while healing from loss.
Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again.
It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio, and sharing a brownstone apartment with her ride-or-die best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career.
She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the dangerous thrill Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits. This new life she asked for just got a lot more complicated, and Feyi must begin her search for real answers. Who is she ready to become? Can she release her past and honor her grief while still embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?
Akwaeke Emezi’s vivid and passionate writing takes us deep into a world of possibility and healing, and the constant bravery of choosing love against all odds.
Aarya: Not totally sure if this is women’s fiction or contemporary romance, but I’ve seen a lot of promising hype.
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A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
Author: Adriana Herrera
Released: May 31, 2022 by HQN Books
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: Las Leonas #1A fresh and vital new voice in romance. —Entertainment Weekly
Paris, 1889
The Exposition Universelle is underway, drawing merchants from every corner of the globe. Luz Alana Heith-Benzan set sail from Santo Domingo armed with three hundred casks of rum, her two best friends and one simple rule: under no circumstances is she to fall in love.
The City of Light is where Luz Alana will expand Caña Brava, the rum business her family built over three generations. It’s a mission that’s taken on new urgency after her father’s untimely death and the news that her trust fund won’t be released until she marries. But buyers and shippers alike are rude and dismissive; they can’t imagine doing business with a woman…never mind a woman of color.
From her first tempestuous meeting with James Evanston Sinclair, Earl of Darnick, Luz Alana is conflicted. Why is this man—this titled Scottish man—so determined to help her? And why, honestly, is he so infuriatingly charming?
All Evan Sinclair ever wanted was to find a purpose away from his father’s dirty money and dirtier politics. Ignoring his title, he’s built a whiskey brand that’s his biggest—and only—passion. That is, until he’s confronted with a Spanish-speaking force of nature who turns his life upside down.
Evan quickly suspects he’ll want Luz Alana with him forever. Every day with her makes the earl wish for more than her magnificent kisses or the marriage of convenience that might save them both. But Luz Alana sailed for Paris with her eyes on liquor, money and new beginnings. She wasn’t prepared for love to find her.
Shana: I’ve been impatiently waiting for this book for ages!
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A Little Bit Country
Author: Brian Kennedy
Released: May 31, 2022 by Balzer + Bray
Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance, Young AdultEmmett Maguire has big dreams. He wants to be country music’s biggest gay superstar—a far reach when you’re 17 and living in suburban Illinois. Thankfully, his parents are letting him do the next best thing for the summer: stay with his aunt in Jackson Hollow, Tennessee, and perform at Wanda World—the amusement park owned by his idol, country music legend Wanda Jean Stubbs.
Luke Barnes, a 17-year-old Jackson Hollow resident, has no interest in country music. As the grandson of Verna Rose, the disgraced country singer who had a famous falling out with Wanda Jean, the world of country music has only brought his family pain. But as medical bills pile up at home, he’s forced to accept a job in the last place he’d ever want to work: a restaurant at Wanda World.
With Emmett focused on his career, and Luke blossoming in the kitchen, neither boy is expecting to find romance. But sparks fly when they meet and soon the two are inseparable. However, when a long-lost secret about Luke’s grandma and superstar Wanda Jean comes to light, it threatens to unravel everything. Unless the boys can uncover the truth of what really happened, their dreams could be over before they start, leaving their new relationship to go down in history as just another Sad Country Love Song.
Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli, Julie Murphy, and of course, the one and only Dolly Parton.
Shana: This sounds adorable and I will read anything inspired by Dolly Parton.
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Flip the Script
Author: Lyla Lee
Released: May 31, 2022 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: LGBTQIA, Young AdultThe first rule of watching K-dramas: Never fall in love with the second lead.
As an avid watcher of K-dramas, Hana knows all the tropes to avoid when she finally lands a starring role in a buzzy new drama. And she can totally handle her fake co-star boyfriend who might be falling in love with her. After all, she promised the producers a contract romance, and that’s all they’re going to get from her.
But when showrunners bring on a new girl to challenge Hana’s role as main love interest—and worse, it’s someone Hana knows all too well—can Hana fight for her position on the show while falling for her on-screen rival in real life?
Shana: A k-drama romance with a bi heroine? And fake dating? This is all of my catnip in one book
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Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd: I LOVED her Kerland Hall series, so I’m excited about this one.
The Whitehall Conspiracy by Tracy Grant: I love my pretty, wealthy regency spies.
I just noticed that in the header, The Stardust Thief’s series number has a typo: this is the first book, not 3rd.
@Amy: Updated, thank you!
Christina Lauren! Christina Lauren! Christina Lauren!!!!
Okay, moving on.
BLOOMSBURY GIRLS by Natalie Jenner is literary fiction, but I’m hopeful that, like its predecessor THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, there will be a little romantic storyline. But three women, a hundred year old bookstore, post-WWII London? Who wouldn’t want to read that?
And of course, the end of the month brings us NIGHTWORK from la Nora. Reading the blurb makes it sound like a bit of darker romantic suspense than she’s done in a while. The hero appears to be a cat burglar type character, and it’s warming up my Cary Grant fantasies.
Looking forward to the rest of May–and not just because school gets out on May 20 (I have to work on May 23, but, hey, when the students aren’t there, that’s like free money, lol). A number of anticipated books await me, starting with tomorrow’s release of FALLING FOR THE ENEMY by Katie Golding. This is a “You’ve Got Mail” setup between two antagonistic music promoters who don’t realize they’re secret texting buddies. On the 20th, Marley Valentine releases UNWANTED, an m/m romance with MCs who grew up in foster care. May 24 is not only my first day of summer break, but it brings with it new books from some of my favorites: Caitlin Crews’s HP, RECLAIMING HS RUINED PRINCESS (a princess discovers she was switched at birth with a Kansas farmer’s daughter and realizes she’s not a princess at all, gasp!); Jackie Ashenden’s A DIAMOND FOR MY FORBIDDEN BRIDE (the start of a new HP duet with heroes who are rival billionaire brothers); and Maisey Yates’s UNBRIDLED COWBOY, the first book in her new Four Corners Ranch series (although there has been a prequel novella). Then there are two books that have been postponed from earlier that now have new release dates: Ellis (aka, Ella) James’s WANT is now scheduled for May 27 (this is an m/m age-gap between a U.S. Senator and a ballet dancer) and Skye Warren’s ONE FOR THE MONEY (the start of a new trilogy) is now scheduled for May 31. Since both James and Warren have multiple postponed release dates in the past, it remains to be seen if either of their books will arrive on the scheduled date.
I’ve preordered Our Last Days in Barcelona by ChanelCleeton. I plan on locking myself away for the day when i get it. I’ll pretty much AB whatever she writes.
Going to read Emezi book simply bez that’s the best title ever 🙂
so many wonderful books.
My forever-and-ever number-one autobuy, Guy Gavriel Kay, has his newest book, All the Seas of the World, due out tomorrow… mostly. The e-book and the hardcover in pretty much every English language market except Canada will be out tomorrow; the hardcover edition in Canada will be out on May 24th (apparently some shipping problem from Winnipeg put it a week behind, grrrr). I will be on kobo at midnight hitting refresh-refresh-refresh until it goes live; then I expect to not sleep all night, be almost completely useless at work all day tomorrow, and regret absolutely nothing.
The REALLY popular (and smutty) Korean arranged marriage fantasy romance webnovel “Under the Oak Tree” by Suji Kim has started being released in English on Kindle, which is easier to read than the serial chapter release:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y5GTH4Q
The hero/heroine’s first sex scene is extremely awkward and probably goes into dubious consent territory, but overall I’m finding the story sweet and sexy. I have a soft spot for the heroine Maxi, who has a pronounced stutter and a low self-esteem from parental abuse, so watching her gain confidence bit by bit is endearing.
“A Caribbean Heiress in Paris” is SO GOOD!
Everything else is on my TBR except for the Lauren.
@DonnaMarie – Bloomsbury Girls does have three different romantic storylines, but it’s more about the women’s friendship and life post-WWII. I gave it a C – not bad but not exceptional.
The Truth and Measure cover art is really, really giving off Sharon Stone/ Basic Instinct vibes.
i was lucky to get an arc of A Lady for a Duke and… it is stunning. a must read for sure (i also loved boyfriend material if that helps!!)