Welcome back!
It’s a big release week for us before the month slows down. I haven’t even taken a peek at July yet.
What new releases are on your radar today? Let us know in the comments!
Bump, Set, Sparks
Author: Jennifer Moffatt
Released: June 16, 2026 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceTwo rival volleyball players compete for the championship in this summer romp full of community, crushes, and confidence building from the author of Flirty Dancing.
Jess loves volleyball—she really does. Playing in Southern California Beach Volleyball League with her best friend Tania is a blast, but their recent losing streak has destroyed her confidence. In fact, a lot of what used to bring her joy—stargazing, hanging with friends at Maggie’s bar, and her adorable wiener dog, Fleming—just doesn’t seem like enough anymore. It doesn’t help that Vivienne, one of Jess’s rivals in the league, always seems to be around just when she’s feeling her worst. Vivienne is everything Jess isn’t: beautiful, confident, effortlessly charming, and, most infuriatingly, winning.When Jess is ghosted again, it’s another blow to her confidence. Who better to challenge her than the most confident girl she knows? And as Jess gets to know Vivienne, she discovers there’s much more to her than just a pretty face (and wicked serve). But even though there’s an undeniable connection between them, they’re competing for the same spot in the pro leagues. Jess has the opportunity to build self-confidence and a better life, but she’ll have to learn to believe in herself, and the people around her, if she doesn’t want to lose everything she’s gaining. And there’s nothing Jess hates more than losing.
Dahlia: First m/m Dirty Dancing, now f/f volleyball… ‘m very into what Moffatt is bringing to queer romance!
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Author: Amy Pennza
Released: June 16, 2026 by Ace
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, LGBTQIA, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyA long-lost noble of the ruthless vampire court discovers she might not need to choose between her two suitors in this blood-pounding new romantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of the Bitten and Bound series.
Corinthe has spent a lifetime longing for excitement outside her sleepy human village. As a dhampir born of a human mother and vampire father, her unique abilities make her desired by those who lurk across the Feyline—the boundary that keeps the magical realm in perpetual twilight where vampires hold dominion. To stay safe, she’s concealed her supernatural strength and taste for blood from her human neighbors, but when her yearning for excitement accidentally exposes her gifts, she is captured to sell to the highest bidder.Terrified, she expects the worst. But rescue comes in the form of Vander, a handsome stranger who whisks her from the auction stage and across the Feyline . . . where he reveals himself to be a vampire knight of King Rasimir’s court. Notorious for his cruelty, the deranged king is determined to extend his rule to the farthest reaches, and Vander has been tasked with delivering Corinthe to him.
Now a pawn in the vampire court, Corinthe learns that Rasimir intends to marry her off to the arrogant Prince Lorcan and exploit her daywalking abilities for his own gain. But a wedding isn’t the only obstacle in her path to freedom. While Vander burns with dangerous charm, Lorcan watches her with hungry eyes. And both men claim they can help her—if she can trust them.
Amanda: I’ve been on a big Why Choose kick lately!
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Author: Frederick Smith
Released: June 16, 2026 by Bold Strokes Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceTara: I’m excited to see a book about someone coming out later in life.
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Author: Kirsty Greenwood
Released: June 16, 2026 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Contemporary/Other, Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, RomanceA heartbroken romance novelist is forced to address her writer’s block when the villainous cowboy character from her books shows up in the real world, desperately in need of his own Happily Ever After. . . from the bestselling author of GMA book club pick The Love of My Afterlife.
Gertie Bickerstaff writes happily-ever-afters for a living. . . . Or she did, until her own love life fell apart. Now her ex is thriving, her deadline is looming, and she can’t write a single word.
The last thing Gertie needs is more drama—like waking up to find a confused and rugged cowboy on her sofa. And not just any cowboy, but River Oakley, the villain from her unfinished novel. Somehow very real . . . and very shirtless.
River wants to go home. Gertie wants her life back. So they strike a deal: he’ll use his cunning ways to help her win back her ex, she’ll finish the novel, and, surely, he’ll return to whatever world he rode in from.
But as River Oakley proves to be so much more than just the bad guy, Gertie has to choose: the ending she thought she wanted . . . or the plot twist she never saw coming.
Sarah: Villain cowboy from romance novelist’s book comes to life.
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Author: Ashley Poston
Released: June 16, 2026 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyThe new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip.
When Sophie Drear plans her escape to coastal Maine for the summer—for a temporary job revitalizing the storied grounds at Lilymoor House—she doesn’t expect to fall in love.
But she With the beguiling land, the fragrant flowers, and the towering hedge maze. With the quirky staff and the enigmatic woman who owns the place.
And then, the door appears. Never in the same place twice, it leads her to a secret, and unfinished, garden with a frustrated thundercloud of a man trapped inside.
This mysterious garden is not the only sign that the future of Lilymoor is the foliage resists Sophie’s careful nurturing, vines threaten to strangle the hedges, and the manor’s owner has wild ideas about who will take over when she retires—including her inconveniently attractive nephew who is also there just for the summer.
Despite herself, Sophie has come to care for the residents of Lilymoor just as much as she cares for its grounds. With the help of one man on the outside of the secret garden, and one man on the inside, she might be the only person who can figure out exactly what Lilymoor needs to bloom once more.
Sarah: I’m extremely curious about this book!
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Author: Lauren Okie
Released: June 16, 2026 by Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomanceIn this lush, slow-burning romance, two childhood neighbors, connected by a shared tragedy, unexpectedly reunite to ghostwrite a love story for a reclusive author. Spending the summer at her secluded Hamptons estate, they soon discover that dozens of classic romance tropes, including the ones they’re crafting on page, are mysteriously playing out in real life.
Katie Caruso is a completely normal twenty-five-year-old girl. At least, for the past eight years, she’s tried to be. She likes glitter and sequins and flirting with cute boys at New York City bars. She’s also a ghostwriter for Meredith Bradford, the bestselling romance novelist of all time. But then Tyler McNally walks back into Katie’s life, and that bedazzled facade crumbles at her platform-sneakered feet.
Katie and Tyler haven’t seen or spoken to each other since the overdose death of Katie’s older brother, a standout MLB pitching prospect. Tyler was her brother’s best friend, and Katie—naturally—was the girl next door. But now, Tyler is a sleeve-tattooed, Ivy League–educated aspiring literary fiction novelist, nine years sober . . . and Katie’s writing partner for the summer.
As genre conventions require, Katie and Tyler soon find themselves removed from Manhattan and instead writing their love story in “forced proximity” at Meredith’s isolated Southampton home. As the summer unfolds, the tropes Katie and Tyler have written into their novel begin to play out in their own lives. Call it destiny, fate, or magic itself: it’s clear their love story isn’t finished. This time, though, they’ll work through the pain that tore them apart—and fight for their happy ending.
Heart-wrenching and tender, Tropesick is a love letter to the romance genre. With a wink and a nod, Okie has packed the novel with readers’ favorite tropes.
Elyse: I’m curious to see how the author squeezes every trope imaginable into one book, and if it works.
Dahlia: I loved Okie’s debut, The Best Worst Thing, so much, I would’ve followed to her next book no matter what, but this one sounds especially curious and delightful.
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Author: Aurora Rey
Released: June 16, 2026 by Bold Strokes Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceSadie Simoneaux is finally living her dream of opening a bookstore in her hometown. Equal parts childhood fantasy and a much-needed exit from the hustle culture of tech startups, Sadie has the passion, the plan, and the perfect historic building. All she needs is someone to renovate it.
Peyton Broussard is Sadie’s high school friend and friendly rival, and the town’s only contractor. Rehabbing one of Duchesne’s oldest buildings is a dream job. Helping Sadie reno the apartment upstairs on a shoestring budget isn’t so bad either. But for once, Peyton’s the expert and Sadie’s the one asking for help.
Their competitive banter and long hours quickly turn their professional relationship personal until developers offer Sadie a fast exit and a fat check. If she cashes in, what happens to the love she’s just starting to build?
Tara: I just think this sounds hella cute. Renovation romance, to open a book store? People who already know each other? I’m into it.
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Author: Becky Jenkinson
Released: June 16, 2026 by Del Rey
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceA magical florist journeys from the kingdom’s capital to its wild woods to fulfill an unusual request, and stumbles upon friendship, conspiracy, and the buds of new love in this debut cozy fantasy.
The book contains hand-drawn floral sketches inside!
Cursed from birth to always tell the truth, magical florist Felicity “Fliss” Farrow chooses her words carefully to avoid trouble. But when she receives an anonymous request for a mysterious flower, her search leads her directly into trouble’s to Willoh Vane.
Fliss knows the outcast—yet teasingly handsome—sorcerer is rumored to have used dark magic to corrupt the northern forest five years ago. She’s witnessed the resulting feud with Prince Bastion, whom her best friend, Card, is soon to marry. Despite her divided loyalty, Fliss reluctantly accepts Will’s help with gathering rare flowers and finds herself increasingly drawn to him.
As the royal wedding approaches, Fliss fears the flowers she’s delivered are intended for a sinister purpose. But when her warnings are ignored, can she and Will save the kingdom from disaster, and ultimately discover what Fliss has sought for so long—the truth.
Sarah: Magic florist can’t lie, teams up with dark wizard on quest.
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Also out today:
Good at Being Alive by Elizabeth O’Roark
Kill All Wizards by Jedediah Berry (139 p., $12.99)