RECOMMENDED: A Power Unbound by Freya Marske is $2.99! This is book 3 of The Last Binding series, a queer historical fantasy series that began with A Marvellous Light (which is in KU so if you haven’t read this trilogy, it’s easy to start). A Power Unbound was mentioned in Hide Your Wallet, and Freya Marske was a guest on the podcast to talk about the second book A Restless Truth. This trilogy is terrific, and A Power Unbound has a 4.39 star average on StoryGraph and 4.32 on Goodreads. Have you read this book?
RECOMMENDED: The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare is $1.99! This is the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series. Elyse really loved this book and gave it an A grade:
I totally recommend reading The Duchess Deal, but preferably while sober so you can really appreciate all of it. It’s the perfect blend of two of my favorite fairytale tropes, it’s got a hero who never an alpha-hole, it’s funny, and it’s got female friendship. What more could you want?
Overall I liked this book, though some parts were much more swoony than others, especially as the tension between them became mostly me, the reader, waiting for one of them to admit their feelings to the other already. While the waiting part wasn’t my favourite, the emotional development and vulnerability between Pet and Matthias was delicious.
RECOMMENDED: The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by KJ Charles is $1.99! I’m hoping this isn’t a leftover KDD from the weekend. Carrie gave this one a B+:
The strengths of this book are in the balancing of conflict with humor and optimism, the rich characterizations, and the portrayal of life on the marsh, as well as a romance between two opposites. It’s entertaining, exciting, and immersive. While I wanted a little more from the ending, I enjoyed this book overall!
Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday is $1.99! This is a holiday romance and the second book in the Christmas in Eldovia series. I remember Elyse reading it and commenting in Slack that she was enjoying it. I, sadly, don’t do holiday romances. What about you?
Welcome and settle in to our now-weekly new release post! It’s a hefty release week, though next week is much quieter as we wrap up August’s books. This one has a lot of series continuations and spin-offs in paranormal romance, historical romance, and contemporary romance! What’s on your TBR pile? Which books are worthy of full-price, release-day pickup?
Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean is $1.99! This is book two in the Hell’s Belles series. It also appears to be a road trip romance, which I happen to enjoy!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole is $1.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! Sarah completely loved it:
First, yes, you should absolutely read this book immediately, if you haven’t already. There is so much happening in the conflict within each of the protagonists, between the protagonists, and around them and their allies and enemies, I can’t possibly discuss all of it, but please know: if you are a reader (and why else would you be here, right?) this book is a marvelous, intelligent, respectful, breathtaking treat for your brain.
Twice a Quinceañera by Yamile Saied Méndez is $2.99! This was mentioned on a previous Hide Your Wallet and I remember Sarah being excited for this on in a previous podcast. Did any of you grab this one when it released?
I never thought I’d say this, but The Hellion’s Waltz is just too darn nice. This historical f/f romance is beautifully written and full of kind, courageous, intelligent characters. It is also boring.
Bombshell by Sarah MacLean is $2.99! This is the first book in a new series. Elyse gave it a B-:
Objectively I can look at this book and say that some readers may have an issue with how much time spent on the girl-gang scenes versus the romance, but also ONE OF THEM SPECIALIZES IN EXPLOSIONS. I think part of this imbalance is to set up the rest of the series, but the gang’s quest for justice was very heisty and fun.
