I keep thinking that the number of contemporary romances releasing each week will reduce in number, but it doesn’t. It’s another amazing week for books, and I even had a hard time narrowing down my top pics to just 17, which is kind of mind-blowing but I suppose it is a great problem to have!
❤ Indicates the books that I have read and recommend.
❤ Down We’ll Come, Baby by Carrie Aarons (Jan. 27)
This brutally honest and deeply affecting romance features a married couple, who are on the brink of divorce after dealing with infertility and overreaching, controlling family members. Their emotional and heartrending journey will resonate with many readers as they painstakingly piece their relationship back together and find themselves again, and it moved me to tears more than once. You’ll be thinking about this couple and their story long after you finish Down We’ll Come, Baby.
❤ If I Only Knew by Corinne Michaels (Jan. 28)
If I only Knew is the fourth stand-alone installment in a set of interconnected books by Corinne Michaels, which are linked through the heroines, who are four best friends. I’ve loved getting to know each of these women, and I’ve come to adore everything about their fun, loyal, supportive and joyful friendship. Danielle in If I Only Knew is a young widow after losing her husband suddenly and tragically, and she’s fought to keep moving forward and care for her two kids. She’s found success and stability in her job, but that is threatened when sexy, British Milo arrives stateside and wants her position. They bicker and flirt as they try to work together, but the stakes rise to a whole new level when romantic feelings come into play. I loved seeing this single mom have a second chance at love, and Milo is downright swoony.
❤ Drawn Into Love by Aurora Rose Reynolds (Jan. 29)
In the fourth, standalone installment of Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Fluke My Life series, Courtney, who is reeling from her recent divorce ex-husband’s betrayal, begins a new life in a new city and meets Lucas, the sexy single dad who is designing her apartment. From the moment they begin working together, they just click, but she is hesitant to let her guard down and risk her tender heart. Lucas convinces her to take a chance on him, and he makes her believe in love again. Drawn Into Love has it all – heart, humor, chemistry and romance – and I loved every moment.
❤ Catastrophe Queen by Emma Hart (Jan. 29)
Emma Hart is one of my all-time favorite authors of romantic comedy, so I devour everything she writes. Catastrophe Queen is a hilarious, sexy and charming love story with characters you’ll adore and root for. Mallory and Cameron don’t think they’ll ever see each other again after she’s almost run over by his car, but Cameron ends up being her boss for the job she’s just been hired for. Their chemistry heats up every page as they try to ignore the sparks flying between them and keep things professional, but, of course, there is no stopping love. They fall – literally as Mallory is a bit of a klutz – into love, you don’t want to miss this journey.
Three Little Words by Jenny Holiday (Jan. 29)
The prior two books in this series by Jenny Holiday are must-reads, and I have a feeling that Three Little Words will be just as enjoyable. It’s an opposites-attract romance in which a bridesmaid is stuck in New York and in order to make it to the wedding, she’s be forced to take a long road trip with the best man. I won’t be able to 1-click this book fast enough.
❤ Moonlight Scandals by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Jan. 29)
I absolutely adore the de Vincent series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the third and final book, Moonlight Scandals. The series is set in New Orleans and features the de Vincent brothers, whose powerful and wealthy family is said to be cursed. These three are the very definition of alluring, captivating and seriously sexy, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. While each book can technically be read as a stand-alone, there is a mystery storyline that begins in the first book and ends in the last, so I’d advise reading the books in order. Trust me: It’s no hardship because every book is fantastic, but I will admit that Moonlight Scandals is my favorite. Devlin is the oldest de Vincent, and he’d do anything for his family. He’s stoic, gruff and enigmatic, and he’s met his match when he runs into the sassy, optimist and irresistible Rosie. I laughed, smiled, gasped, blushed and cried while reading it, and I can’t recommend it enough. You can check out the series trailer here on Frolic.
Anton by Brenda Rothert (Jan. 29)
Brenda Rothert always writes unique and emotional stories, and her latest sports romance looks like it will be a riveting story. A professional hockey player has been attracted to his teammate’s wife for some time, and he finally has a chance to pursue her when she and her husband split up. I can guess their road to happily ever after will not be easy but am certain it will be moving and satisfying.
❤ Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison (Jan. 29)
I am a big fan of Natasha Madison, and this might be my favorite book of hers yet. Tyler and Jessica are adversaries by nature of their occupations – he’s an uber-famous actor and heartthrob trying to deal with being in the public eye, and she’s a determined and sassy reporter looking for the next big Hollywood story. After a few clashes over stories, there is no love lost between them, but while traveling on a multi-city promotional tour, they discover that they may have been wrong about each another. Hollywood Playboy has it all – topnotch banter, fan-yourself-worthy sexual tension, likeable characters and a terrific, interesting story – and I didn’t want to put it down. If you’re not already a devoted fan of Natasha Madison, I predict you will be after reading it. See why Jess Moro also recommends it in her New Adult Corner column.
❤ Wicked Player by Stacey Lynn (Jan. 29)
Make sure you have a fan close by while reading Wicked Player, because this romance is hot, hot, hot. A professional football player finds himself captivated by an anonymous woman after their heady night together at a sex club, until he discovers that she’s a journalist and assigned to write a story about him. He guards his privacy fiercely and falling for her could be a huge risk, but he is mesmerized and wants more than one night. She doesn’t realize who he is, so they have a few kinks to work out. There’s no doubt that these two have some serious chemistry and their sexual connection is powerful, but they also discover that they get along well outside of the bedroom. Wicked Player doesn’t skimp on the heat or the romance, and you’ll be tempted to skip sleeping and eating in order to read it in one sitting.
Second Chance by L.B. Dunbar (Jan. 29)
L.B. Dunbar writes romances with characters over forty, and her latest, Second Chance, looks like it will be an emotional and sexy story in which a forty-four-year-old widow has another chance at love with a man from her past.
Fighting the Fire by Laura Kaye (Jan. 29)
I love Laura Kaye’s Warrior Fight Club series, which features veterans who find friendship, support, healing and love when they join a boxing gym that strives to help them deal with the aftereffects of war. In Fighting the Fire, the hero and heroine are both former soldiers and MMA fighters, and I predict a poignant happily ever after for these two.
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne (Jan. 29)
After her amazing debut, The Hating Game, I’m not sure I need to say anything about Sally Thorne’s highly anticipated second book, 99 Percent Mine, because everyone is talking about this book. If you do still need more convincing, Kiera Soleore, provides all the scoop in her a recent Conversations Over Coffee column.
❤ King Me by Season Vining (Jan. 29)
This is my first time reading Season Vining, and I really enjoyed this unique and interesting romance. The heroine is in New Orleans researching voodoo and finds herself falling for the man who is helping her learn more about this mysterious practice. She has deep emotional wounds that she doesn’t believe she’ll ever recover from, but he shows her that her spirit is strong and very much alive. King Me is emotional, sexy and entertaining, and I can’t wait to read more from Season Vining.
Falling for the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox (Jan. 31)
You can never go wrong with a romance by Kennedy Fox, and I can’t wait for their latest, Falling for the Cowboy. A Southern cowboy charms a Los Angeles photographer, and I predict their love story will have plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, sexy times and sigh-worthy romance.
❤ Lass by Harloe Rae (Jan. 31)
Lass is a friends-to-lovers, small-town romance that is both adorably sexy, and it’s a truly feel-good reading experience. Addison and Shane grew up very differently, and they quickly established a friendship when he moves to town. They’re both incredibly attracted to each other, but both are afraid to be the first one to make a move. She needs a roommate and he hopes this might finally be his chance with her, but now she’s afraid a romance could complicate their living situation. They try to fight their sizzling chemistry, but the pull between them is unrelenting. Addison and Shane are intensely likeable and easily relatable, and it’s delightful to watch their relationship evolve. I felt everything and was wholly invested in their happily ever after. You should definitely check out Lass, and you can even read the prologue here on Frolic.
Everything’s Better With Kimberly by Lucy Eden (Jan. 31)
Lucy Eden is a new-to-me author, and I’m excited to check our Everything’s Better With Kimberly. It’s a workplace romance with an enemies-to-lovers vibe that looks like it will be steamy and sweet.
