It’s another huge week in romance with seventeen amazing Top Picks for your reading enjoyment. #sorrynotsorry
❤ Indicates the books that I have read and recommend.
❤ The Guy on the Right by Kate Stewart (July 29)
I just started reading The Guy on the Right, but I am absolutely loving it and feel confident recommending it even before I finish. It’s a charming, funny, feel-good romance with a heroine and underdog you’ll fall hard and fast for.
(Blurb)
Strike One-My mother named me Theodore after her favorite chipmunk.
Not cool, Mom.
I‘ve spent most of my life answering to Teddy, because I couldn’t make Theo work.
Except for here. College. The place where all bets are off, and I’ve managed to redeem myself.
There’s only one problem, my new roommate, Troy, is football royalty and looks like he stepped off the set of an Abercrombie shoot.
Doesn’t matter, I cook a mean breakfast for his panty parade, and we get along well.
And anyway, this year I got the girl. And she’s perfect.
That’s right. Theodore Houseman, former band geek, now marching band rock star has finally landed the girl of his dreams.
Everything is perfect.
That is, until Troy takes a good look at her.
I’m not going down without a fight. As a matter of fact, I’m not going down at all. As glorious as these days may be for my all-star roommate, Laney is my end game.
I may not know much about play strategy, but I’ve been the good guy my whole life. I’ve been listening and I know exactly what women want. Framed in a picture standing next to me, Troy may seem like Mr. Perfect, but he’s underestimating the guy on the right.
Spoiler alert: In this story, the underdog is going to win.
Depraved by Trilina Pucci (July 30)
(Blurb)
Savagery. Sin. Depravity—-these are my virtues.
My religion.
My name is Dante Sovrano, head of the Chicago Mob,
and I run this city.
Everyone bows down to me.
Except her.
The moment I saw Sarah, I knew she’d be trouble.
She’s fiery and cutthroat, wrapped up in a lickable package.
But there are dark secrets hiding behind those gorgeous blue eyes.
And I plan to know them all because she’ll have to make a deal with the devil to solve her problems.
Too bad the devil always takes your soul.
And I’ll be keeping it—
Because Sarah London is mine.
❤ Resist (Wicked Ways #1) by K. Bromberg (July 30). Not a standalone.
One of my absolute favorite authors, K. Bromberg, is back with the wickedly sexy and absolutely riveting Wicked Ways duet, and when I began reading Resist, I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. Vaughn is a madam of an exclusive escort agency, and she’s a smart, independent and shrewd businesswoman, who makes sure she’s always in control and has the upper hand when dealing with her powerful customers…until she meets the gorgeous and ruthless divorce attorney, Ryker. Their chemistry is explosive and smoking-hot from the moment they meet and begin their fiery battle of wills, and the unrelenting pull between them cannot be ignored or denied. As their relationship continues to heat up, both Ryker and Vaughn reveal their softer, more vulnerable selves and develop an emotional connection that is genuine and breathtakingly romantic. But Bromberg has a few unexpected twists, turns, intrigue and suspense that will put their relationship — and your heart — to the test, and you’ll be begging for more of Ryker and Vaughn. The second book in the duet, Reveal, releases September 24th, and that day can’t get here soon enough.
Until December by Aurora Rose Reynolds (July 30)
(Blurb)
Until December
Gareth Black is drawn to December Mayson the moment he spots her across the room at her cousin’s wedding. When he approaches the beautiful woman, she captivates him with her shyness and wit, making him crave her.
With a pull so strong it’s impossible to ignore, December knows there’s something between her and Gareth. She just hopes they’re capable of jumping the hurdles ahead of them.
Two boys, an ex, a surprise that will change everything, and a disgruntled co-worker, guarantee these two will have their work cut out for them if they are going to find their happily ever after.
❤ This Is Wild by Natasha Madison (July 30)
This Is Wild is the second, standalone book in the This Is series, and it’s an emotional love story in which a professional hockey player, Viktor, meets a smart, sassy and beautiful realtor, Zoe, while trying to rebuild his life after recently becoming sober. They quickly develop an easy and supportive friendship when they begin working together to find Viktor a new home, and although neither is looking for a relationship, they develop feelings for one another. But Viktor is battling to maintain his new sobriety, and he’s terrified he can’t be what Zoe needs. You’ll feel everything as you take this journey with both them, and they will steal your heart as you root for them every step of the way. Natasha Madison blends humor, romance and poignancy with a powerful, realistic look at addiction and delivers a deeply satisfying and memorable happily ever after.
All It Takes by Kristen Proby (July 30)
(Blurb)
Quinn Cavanaugh doesn’t do anything halfway. He drives fast, works hard, and plays even harder. And the word “commitment” doesn’t exist in his dictionary. He has no plans of settling down with one woman for he needs to be free to move on to the next big thing—whatever or whoever that may be. Each party knows the score going into it, and it’s all been working out fine. That is, until a sexy new colleague enters the scene.
Sienna Hendricks doesn’t give much thought to Quinn and the revolving door leading to his bedroom. She’s way too picky about who she shares her time or her body with and screwing around with a colleague isn’t part of her plan either. Quinn doesn’t intimidate her. And unlike most other members of her sex, she doesn’t melt into a puddle at his feet whenever he’s near. Most importantly, she has no issues telling him no.
But for a man who has the world at his feet, Quinn isn’t accustomed to being rejected. And he’s not about to let that change—no matter how persistent Sienna is. To his surprise, Sienna is everything he thought he’d never find. Pursuing her, and convincing her he’s changed, is going to be the biggest challenge of his life. One he’s completely up for….
❤ A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham (July 30)
A Highlander Walks into a Bar is a thoroughly entertaining, low-angst romance that’s bursting at the seams with warmth, humor and tenderness. Izzy is downright flabbergasted when her mother returns home from vacation with a Scottish boyfriend; therefore, when her mom’s new beau’s nephew, Alasdair, shows up and decides to stick around, she feels as though her world is turning upside down. Alasdair offers to lend his expertise to Izzy in order to help her coordinate their small town’s Highlander Festival, which she and her mom host on their estate. Although Izzy doesn’t trust either Scot, she is surprised when she strikes up a friendship and finds herself attracted to Alasdair. Their connection deepens as they work together, and theirs is a heady, emotional slow-burn love story. A Highlander Walks into a Bar is wonderfully quirky, utterly charming and perfectly romantic.
Salvation by Terri Anne Browning (July 30)
(Blurb)
Lexa
These feelings I have for Ben can’t go anywhere.
I’m the Angels Halo MC president’s daughter.
And he is the sheriff.
For both our sakes, I have to keep him away.
Ben
Lexa calms the rage that I’ve struggled with my entire life.
I couldn’t care less who her father is.
Nothing matters but making her mine.
Because my broken beauty is where my salvation begins.
❤ Perky by Julia Kent (July 30)
Perky is another laugh-out-loud, sexy romantic comedy from Julia Kent, and you do not want to miss this fun, feel-good second-chance romance. Parker and Persephone, aka Perky, were deeply in love when he broke her heart and caused her to become an infamous meme. They haven’t seen or talked to one another in five years when they’re reunited at their friends’ wedding, and the sparks fly and chemistry sizzles as soon as they’re in the same room again. It’s obvious there is still a lot of love — and anger — between them, and Parker realizes that he wants Perky back and is determined to recapture her heart. She doesn’t make it easy for him and they have a lot of history to unpack, but you cannot help but cheer for this endearing couple during each moment of their hard-fought, thoroughly entertaining dance to happily ever after.
Lilies on Main by J. Lynn Bailey (July 30)
(Blurb)
For bookstore owner Lydia White, another geographical move doesn’t faze her. She doesn’t even bat an eyelash at one more curveball thrown into her life plan. Five years running from a man who broke her heart, and her spirit, has taught her to keep her walls up.
Scared to trust again, Lydia swears to keep all men off limits. Even Aaron Casey, who seems too perfect to be true. With a daughter to protect and a life to build, she simply can’t afford to let her guard down.
But when William Davis, a seventy-something recovering alcoholic, steps into Lydia’s bookstore for the first time, holding the secret to saving both of their lives, she might have to learn that trusting a man with her life is just as dangerous as trusting one with her heart.
Lone Wolf Cowboy by Maisey Yates (July 30)
(Blurb)
Will Gold Valley’s most reclusive cowboy finally find a reason to heal?
As a former EMT and a wildland firefighter, there’s no one Jacob Dalton can’t rescue—except himself. Since his best friend’s tragic death, Jacob has isolated himself…until Vanessa Logan returns to Gold Valley. He saved her life during a medical call years ago, and he’s never forgotten her. The instant jolt of heat between them takes him by surprise, but he knows that giving in to it would only end in disaster…
For Vanessa, returning home was about healing, not about exploring her attraction with Jacob. He is the guardian angel from her past—with strong, capable hands and an irresistible mouth. A temptation she knows she can’t afford. Until the chemistry between them explodes, and unites them in a way they could never have imagined…
Too Sweet to Be Good by K.M. Jackson (July 30)
(Blurb)
Between the bustling local bakery, helpful neighbors, and down-home wisdom, Sugar Lake is a delicious place to call home—and love is the sweetest risk . . .
Alexandrea Gale put her acting career on hold to help keep her family’s bakery in business—and gave it a few eye-catching updates while she was at it. To earn money to return to New York, she puts her design skills to work with a job renovating a once thriving local vintage theater. But Alexandrea didn’t bargain on the owner’s business-minded grandson fighting her every step of the way—or proving so unexpectedly irresistible . . .
As the new head of his family’s real estate business, Kellen Kilborn feels that selling the theater is the only way to do right by the grandmother who helped raise him. He just can’t take a risk on Alexandrea’s inventive ideas—but he also can’t walk away from her warm-hearted free spirit. As troubling decisions threaten to tear them apart, can they create a way to turn their dreams into the sweetest of futures together?
Good Guy by Kate Meader (July 30)
(Blurb)
He’s a Special Forces veteran making his pro hockey debut. She’s a dogged sports reporter determined to get a scoop. She’s also his best friend’s widow . . .
Fans can’t get enough of Levi Hunt, the military veteran who put his NHL career on hold to serve his country and fight the bad guys. So when his new Chicago Rebels bosses tell him to cooperate with the press on a profile, he’s ready to do his duty. Until he finds out who he has to work with: flame-haired, freckle-splashed, impossibly perky Jordan Cooke.
The woman he should not have kissed the night she buried her husband, Levi’s best friend in the service.
Hockey-stick-up-his-butt-serious Levi Hunt might despise Jordan for reasons she can’t fathom–okay, it’s to do with kissing–but her future in the cutthroat world of sports reporting hangs on delivering the goods on the league’s hottest, grumpiest rookie. So what if he’s not interested in having his life plated up for public consumption. Too bad. Jordan will have to play dirty to get her scoop and even dirtier to get her man. Only in winning the story, she might just lose her heart …
One Short Summer by Jasmin Miller (July 31)
(Blurb)
After her car accident, Monica believes her dance career is over, despite the positive outlook everyone else has. Instead of trying to get back on her feet, she works on perfecting the art of couch surfing.
Famous author, Gabe Mitchell, doesn’t fare much better. On top of watching his roommate letting her life pass by, he also suffers from a major bout of writer’s block.
Hoping a change of scenery will get them both out of their rut, Gabe takes matters into his own hands and whisks Monica away to his own personal haven.
What neither one of them expects is the attraction to each other to bloom even though Monica will leave Brooksville in a matter of weeks.
Their time together is filled with skimpy bathing suits, sexy fantasy book inspirations, hot tub make-out sessions, and new job prospects.
It’s plenty to reignite their creative flames, but will it be enough to turn their one short summer into something more?
The Truth about Tomorrow by B. Celeste (Aug. 1)
(Blurb)
Age is just a number.
Just like he’s just a boy and I’m just a girl.
Except that’s not true, is it?
Because fifteen may be a number, but it’s bigger than that. Bigger than us.
It’s a number that separates us.
An excuse that keeps us apart.
But I’m not willing to give in until I get what I want.
After all, how many other girls can bring a grown man to his knees with one little smile?
❤ Coming Up Roses by Staci Hart (Aug. 1)
I can never resist a Staci Hart rom-com, and her latest, Coming Up Roses, is another unique, heartwarming, steamy and irresistible read. Luke and Tessa were frenemies when they were teenagers and she worked at his family’s flower shop, but Luke didn’t actually know why there was animosity between them. He doesn’t remember that he hurt Tessa deeply when they shared a passionate, tender kiss and he promptly forgot it happened. Ouch. When he moves away and returns home five years later to help save the business, Tessa still works there and hasn’t warmed up to him — at all. But this jovial, lovable playboy isn’t deterred by her barbs or standoffishness and realizes he’s very attracted to everything about her. They verbally spar until Luke breaks down the walls around her heart, and both are surprised how quickly they fall for one another. But all is not a bed of roses in their new relationship, because they have a messy past that needs to be discussed and their own baggage to unload. You will laugh, sigh, blush and swoon hard as these two endearing characters find their way to a gorgeous happily ever after with the help of family, friends and, of course, flowers.
Feast of Sparks (Thornchapel #2) by Sierra Simone (Aug. 1). Not a standalone.
(Blurb)
I’m an outcast and a loner, named for death itself. Fate wasn’t supposed to have plans for me.
But then she came back—the girl I once kissed in a thorn-covered chapel in the woods. She came back, and I could no more resist her than I could pry out my own heart. And by some trick of fate, she wants me as much as I want her. The only problem? She also wants the man who owns Thornchapel, Auden Guest.
And so do I.
Eight years ago, I did something to Auden, something terrible. He hurt me back the only way he knew how, and so here we are: our hatred seasoned with pain and my loneliness seasoned with longing. The only thing we can agree on is Proserpina Markham, and she wants us to find a way to be together—all three of us.
If Auden wants to earn her as his submissive, then he has to earn me as well.
But with the discovery of bones behind the altar and the carnal revel of Beltane fast approaching, it’s becoming clear that Thornchapel’s secrets are much deeper and older than any of us could have ever guessed. And no matter how bright and merry a feast of sparks may be, it’s always followed by ashes.
And darkness.
