Kini’s Most Anticipated Reads 2020

First I want to mention that almost all of the books that I am excited about are from traditional publishers because they typically release information about new books several months in advance. If you are indie or self publishing a book, we would love to know about it sooner rather than later so we can get it on our radar! Our request form does not require an ARC.

Second, most of these books are from the first half of 2020, with a few from the second half as publishing hasn’t released much about the second half yet.

Now on to my anticipated reads for 2020. There are a TON of books I am excited about this year. I tried to do 20 in 20 but I couldn’t make it work. I scaled it down as must as I could but publishers are really getting me with beautiful covers and great sounding blurbs. I put them in publication date order, because I like to stay organized like that.

January

Then, Now, Always by Mona Shroff– Disclosure I met and attended a book signing at Turn the Page bookstore with Mona last year and when she mentioned this book is second chance romance with a side of secret baby, I knew I would need it in my life. I am so excited that it is finally available for me. (1/28)

Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday– Y’all know I adore Holiday’s writing. I cheated and have already read this book. It’s a little slow, as sometimes happens with the first book in a series, but the things that I think make Holiday stand out (strong female friendships, strong heroine, cinnamon roll hero, consent done very well) are all there and I really look forward to the rest of the series with more of the town and the couples. (1/28)

February

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa– The cover to this is adorable. The heroine is left at the altar and then falls for her ex’s brother. The premise sounds like something I will love. (2/4)

The Legal Affair by Nisha Sharma– This is the follow up to The Takeover Effect and I am curious to see what is next for the Singh family. (2/18 No cover available)

A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon– I mean have you seen this cover? And it is a take on sleeping beauty. (2/25)

March

On the Corner of Hope and Main by Beverly Jenkins– I have read a few historicals by Jenkins so I am curious how she tells a contemporary story. The blurb makes this sound like it is less romance and more family saga and that works for me. (3/3)

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams– I really loved the first book in this series and really looking forward to the match between Mack and Liv. (3/10)

All I Ask by Corinne Michaels– Estelle, my friend and publicist extraordinaire at Forever Romance, has been telling me about this book for months. Granted that is her job, but we’ve developed a friendship and I value her recommendations. The heroine and hero are both single parents and in their mid-late 30s. (3/17)

The Honey Don’t List by Christina Lauren– I didn’t love their last book but typically CLo books work really well for me. This book is two assistants who don’t like each other and then they fall in love. Enemies to lovers is one of my least favorite tropes, but CLo almost always makes it work for me. (3/24)

April

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras– Another beautiful cover that had my attention immediately. I’ve enjoyed Oliveras’s voice in the past and just looking forward to this new series from her. (4/28)

May

The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler– This book comes highly recommended by Stefanie from Sourcebooks, I don’t know her well but I am willing to give this book a try. The book is set in the Alaska Wilderness and I have a best friend in Alaska so I like to pretend I am visiting her by reading about Alaska. (5/5)

The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel– Cute cover and blurb that references romantic comedy. (5/12)

I’d Give Anything by Marisa de los Santos– Pretty sure this is not a romance, but I love a good fiction book that involves unearthing secrets from the past. (5/12)

Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson– This book features brothers who struggle to save their mother’s knitting shop, per the blurb. I occasionally knit so I am drawn to books that have some sort of knitting aspect. (5/19)

Beach Read by Emily Henry- The heroine is a romance writer that no longer believes in love. I can’t wait to read this and see how the heroine believes again. (5/19)

A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos– A cute cover but the blurb reminds me a little of some of the Laura Florand books where the main characters her competing chefs. I loved those books so anything that sounds similar will end up on my TBR. (5/19)

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner– Berkley’s first f/f/ book in trade paperback sounds fantastic with a blurb that makes it sounds like the main characters end up in a fake relationship. (5/26)

Dream Maker by Kristen Ashley– Y’all might know by now that I have a complicated relationship with Kristen Ashley. This is a spin off from Dream Man (one of my favorite KA series) and Rock Chick series. I was so-so on Rock Chick, but I am hoping this book will bring me back to what I loved about Kristen Ashley’s story telling. (5/26)

Ghosting: A Love Story by Tash Skilton– I read a book by one half of this duo in 2019 and really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to this story that has components of online dating to it. (5/26)

June

Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert– Enemies to lovers with a side of forced proximity via a cross country trip, this book calls to me. (6/2)

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon– Another cheat entry as I have already read an early copy of this. The story is solid. The heroine is in tech and I loved how Rochon builds a beautiful sister relationship into the story. I can’t wait for more people to read and enjoy it. (6/9)

The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader– The first chapter was included in her recent self-published work and I was very intrigued. It seems that the main character is leaving a very bad relationship and rebuilding her life. Also, you know I am an O’Keefe/Fader fangirl. (6/9)

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton– I’ve fallen in love with Cleeton’s historical fiction books and I am excited about this one. The heroine is falling in love with her husband after an arranged marriage. This sounds great. Also, whoever is in charge of the covers for Cleeton’s historicals deserves a raise as this one is stunning. (6/16)

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert– I really enjoyed Get A Life Chloe Brown and looking forward to the second entry in this series. (6/23)

July

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria– The cover sold me. Seriously. It is fantastic with its illustrated cover that depicts beautiful people. The blurb tells me it is a rom-com set in the world of telenovelas and it sounds great. (7/7)

A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee– Seriously another cute cover with references to it being a romantic comedy with a one-night stand going sideways. (7/14)

Fearless by Katie Golding– I don’t read many books set in the world of racing, but this blurb sounds fun. Also I follow Golding on SM and she seems like a delight so I imagine that will come through in her writing as well. (7/28)

Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday– The blurb mentions that the hero has a broken heart, which is like one of my favorite things ever. But since I have already read book one, I know that Jake is sad inside and I love this kind of hero and seeing things come together for them. (7/28)

August/September/TBD

Loathe at First Sight by Suzanne Park– The heroine works in tech and creates a mobile game where male strippers fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Sounds hilarious. (8/4)

The Roommate by Rosie Danan– The blurb mentions the heroine and hero working together to launch a website focused on women’s pleasure. I think this sounds amazing and wait patiently for this book to be in my hands. (9/15, not the final cover)

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams– There is no official blurb for this yet, but I was able to find the Publisher’s Weekly announcement that says it is a rom-com about a college professors romantic mis-adventures while trying to obtain tenure. (TBD, No Cover)