Though the summer may be winding down (Hello, August!), our reading certainly hasn’t. If you’re looking for your next great read, look no further than these fabulous recommendations from the contributors here at Frolic.
Donna Soluri | Naked In Death by J.D. Robb
My summer bucket list consists of several amazing ideas like, eat ice cream every night, make scones every Sunday, and read more suspense! These items are not a hardship except for maybe my waistline. I decided to take on J.D. Robb’s In Death series and as you can imagine, it does not disappoint. The first book in the series is Naked in Death and it released in 1995.
If you are not familiar with this Nora Roberts penned romantic suspense, it is set in the year 2058. Eve Dallas is a NYC detective out on the futuristic beat, solving crimes with some equally futuristic methods. As a Criminal Minds fan, I thoroughly enjoy the procedural aspects of Dallas’ crime solving. We are also introduced to Roarke. He is an incredibly wealthy, and influential man about town who is also suspect number one in Eve’s latest investigation. A controversial Senator’s daughter has been murdered and her secret life as a high-priced prostitute is exposed, along with some details of her client list.  Since the book debuted in 1995 and I might be the last person on Earth to finally read it, I don’t think it’s too spoilery to tell you Roarke ends up being Eve’s love interest/husband throughout the entire 50+ book series. Not gonna lie, he’s kinda’ dreamy. In true Roberts/Robb form, the pacing is fast, the characterizations are tight, and the dialogue is exceptional. There is a lovely balance of suspense, crime solving and romance. I’m excited to have added this series to my TBR list and I look forward to many more adventures with Eve and Roarke!
Jess Moro | Gin Fling by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley
My favorite this month has to go to Gin Fling. I’ve binge read the Bootleg Springs series this month and I am so ready for the last book, Highball Rush which released on July 24th. There’s a mystery, family, romance, and so many amazing characters in this small town. It’s hard to think it’s finally coming to an end!
Aurora Dominguez | The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
This is an edgy and dark YA tale where a theme park has fantasists, a type of robotic princesses, who are molded to be the perfect type of girls to entertain guests. But what does it mean when they begin to feel? Full of romance, mystery, and intrigue, I loved this read!
Lisa Ward | Regret Duet by Aly Martinez
I had a few favorite reads in July, but the story that kept me up all night was Aly Martinez’s Regret Duet. Written With Regret and Written With You were equal parts suspenseful, witty, and angsty. The first book was released in May and the second one in June, but with my book saturated mind, I knew I had to wait until the duet was completed. Cliffhangers give me heart palpitations, and with as many books as I read and listen to a month, I would have forgotten some details.
This duet was definitely worth the wait. There’s nothing better than a romance that takes a slightly self-centered bachelor and transforms him into a doting single father – um, SWOON! You won’t want the story to end, but then you also can’t turn the pages fast enough. The unique premise, secrets, lies, and surprise twists made me literally gasp. You’ll fall in love with the characters as they heal from the past and learn to trust again.
Mary Dubé | Lies by Kylie Scott
You do not want to miss Kylie Scott’s Lies! It’s the most original contemporary romance that I’ve read in a long time, and I was thoroughly entertained to the point of giddiness the entire time reading it. It’s a fast-paced, unforgettable story that blends action, comedy, romance, passion and suspense with utterly endearing characters, masterful storytelling and clever plotting. I’ve never read anything like it and loved every minute.
Samantha Martin (Coordinator) | If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
My July (re)read was If We Were Villains. I’m a sucker for all things Shakespeare, and M.L. Rio’s rich writing and voice drew me in from the start. This story is abut a group of friends who are finishing up their final year of training to be Shakespearean actors. It’s narrated by Oliver, one of the actors, and chronicles the troupe’s journey through performances, heartbreak, and murder. I think about these characters at least once a day. There’s something about them that sticks with me and won’t let me go. If you love mysteries, romance, Shakespeare, or just phenomenal writing in general, If We Were Villains is a must-read.
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