Angela– It’s August! I mean it’s still 2020, but at least we are inching toward the end of the year. YAY! I’m adding one book that will hit the last week of July to my list because we didn’t do a TBR for July and I don’t want anyone to forget it’s release. Happy almost end of summer!
Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians #1) by Kit Rocha 7/28 Fantasy Romance – I practically begged for an ARC for this book, but just when it hit my Kindle I knew I had to hold on to it until the last minute because THEN IT WOULD BE OVER AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE. The time has come though, and I’m finally digging in.
You Had Me at Hola: A Novel by Alexis Daria 8/4 Contemporary Romance– I fell in love with this cover and then read the blurb. Totally here for this love story between a telenovela hunk who thinks his career is over and a soap opera star who needs a career pick me up after a bad break up. I CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS.
Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors (The Guild Codex: Warped Book 1) by Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen 8/7 Urban Fanasy -This looks to be yet another spin-off in the Guild Codex world. I’m not even sure where it fits in or if we’ve me these characters yet, but I’m asolutely reading it. (Edited to add- I figured out who this series seems to be following and I am now offically excited.)
The Alien’s Savior: A SciFi Alien Warrior Romance (Drixonian Warriors Book 5) by Ella Maven 8/10 Science Fiction Romance– I am enjoying this series so much. Like read it on release day enjoying. This Gar and Naomi’s story and I am excited.
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar 8/11 YA Fantasy– The cover for this is absolutely gorgeous, which is why I clicked on it to begin with. Then I read this:
This gorgeously imagined YA debut blends shades of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and a breathtaking landscape of Hindu mythology into a radiant contemporary fantasy.
And I was sold. One-click.
Loathe at First Sight by Suzanne Park– 8/18 Contemporary Romance– This one sounds super cute:
In a debut perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Sally Thorne, a junior video game producer finds herself getting closer and closer to the one person she hates most after a mass troll attack online almost ruins her life.
Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy #5) by Ilona Andrews 8/25 Urban Fantasy Romance- I’ve actually already cheated and read this one. I had no self-control and I dug in as soon as it hit my Kindle. Ilona Andrews never fails to deliver and this story is no exception. So damn good. Review to come closer to release date.
The Sugared Game (The Will Darling Adventures #2) by KJ Charles 8/26 LBGT Historical Mystery/Romance- Will and Kim are back (finally) and I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.
Best Laid Plaids (Kilty Pleasures) by Ella Stainton 8/31 LGBT PNR Historical Romance– I’m always up for something new and different and this looked like it fit the bill. I mean just a professor who talks to ghosts and a WWI veteran out to prove his thesis traveling cross haunted Scotland and falling in love.
Sheena- *Blows dust off Kindle* You guys. 2020 has been….something. I’ve been in the deepest, most cavernous reading rut and I’ve truly missed being in a good reading space. My lifeline? Nalini Singh. I received an ARC of her forthcoming Guild Hunter novel, Archangel’s Sun and started reading. And couldn’t put it down. I felt like I got that old thing back, that excitement and anticipation that I’ve been missing. And guys. Guys. It is one of the best of the series. Titus and Sharine/Hummingbird are everything I didn’t know I needed. Add this art to your TBR’s STAT! So, now, with a newly kindled fire in my belly, I have a modest TBR list for August!
Midnight Sun (Twilight #5) by Stephanie Meyer 8/4 Yes. I am. I am. I am. I’ve wanted this to happen since Meyer abandoned the novel eons ago. And on 8/4- I’m TF READY! I know there is heavy hate for Twilight- but I don’t care I’m all over Midnight Sun like gravy on biscuits baby!
Mari’s Mistake(Icehome Book 11) by Ruby Dixon Out Now. I’m easily three books behind – and that is a travesty in my world. SciFi Alien Romance done exceptionally well, every damn time. I’m convinced Dixon is a super-human. I’ll never stop recommending this series- if this is your bag, get INTO her Ice Planet/Ice Home/FireBlood Dragon series.
The Alien’s Claim (Warriors of Luxiria Book 8) by Zoey Draven Out Now. *Ahem*
Erin likes control and order. She’s the person that remains calm in any situation—like getting abducted by aliens. Or living among frightening, hunky, battle-bred alien warriors called Luxirians.
Or getting stolen in the middle of her bath by a strange, devastatingly handsome male with blue tattoos who thinks she’s his…
Yep. On the list. Big time- this is MY happy place. Join me.
Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting 8/11 Social Media savvy cupcake shop owner vs rugged old school sports bar owner spar in a sexually tense game of one-upping. This is either going to be absolutely adorable, or corny. Either way it falls- I’m in.
The Jackal(BDB: Prison Camp #1 by J.R. Ward 8/16 This new series starter SOUNDS good. The blurb is ringing all of my bells. And I’m going to read it…only…Ward has been missing the mark for me lately, so I’m very concerned I will be unimpressed…only…damn does the premise alone impress and lure me in like the BDB addict I’ve always been. I’m only able to quell my anxiety on the matter because I’ve really enjoyed the Legacy novels so spin offs are a safer bet…So fingers crossed!
Kini:
July was not a great reading month for me. I have not tallied my books yet, but I only read/finished three of the books on my most anticipated reads list. So I am only listing a few books for August. With hopes that I can actually read them in August.
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria. 8/4 Contemporary Romance The cover is beautiful and I have heard so many good things about this book. I hope to start it in the next day or so.
Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer. 8/24 Contemporary Romance A f/f hockey romance, one-click!
Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera 8/25 Contemporary Romance This is the first in a new series from Herrera and is an enemies to lovers.
Better than People by Roan Parrish 8/25 Contemporary Romance Grumpy book illustrator needs a dog walker and then they fall in loooovvvee.
Can’t Help Falling by Cara Bastone 8/25 Contemporary Romance This is my cheat book that I have already read! Loved it. Slow burn, age gap, flawed people making love work.
Several books I’d been looking forward to in July (from Sybil Bartel, Ainsley Booth, and CD Reiss) had their release dates postponed. Life in covid times, I suppose. So take my August tbr with a grain of salt, but for what it’s worth, here are the books I’m looking forward to in August:
Clare Connelly’s IT STARTED WITH A LIE is the latest in her Montebellos series and features a fake relationship trope. (This was actually released Friday and, after I started it, I realized it includes “there’s only one bed because our hosts really think we’re together”—one of my favorite elements of the fake relationship trope.)
Caitlin Crews’s TEMPT ME is the third and final book in a bdsm-themed series she’s publishing through Dare. The previous book, TAKE ME, was ultra-hot. I’m interested if Crews keeps the streak going.
Jackie Ashenden has a new HP, PROMOTED TO PRINCESS. Obviously a royal romance, undoubtedly featuring Ashenden’s trademark couples with ongoing interior monologues and similarly dysfunctional backgrounds.
Julie Kriss’s DIRTY TALK is the third in her Filthy Rich series about a group of friends who grew up rough and unexpectedly became wealthy (as often happens). This one features a “no-strings-attached” affair—but when has that ever worked in Romancelandia?
Sybil Bartel’s SHAMELESS is the latest in her long-running Alpha Bodyguards romantic-suspense series. If I’m reading the synopsis correctly, this one features an age-gap.
Ainsley Booth’s FILTHY LIAR is the fifth and, supposedly, final installment of her Forbidden Bodyguards series. This one involves the owner of a security & protection company discovering that his long-time secretary/PA is not the person she appears to be.
Sheena- I also received the ARC of Archangel’s Sun and I am in total agreement. I have already re-read it twice. Definitely put me back in a reading mood.
I’m looking forward to reading Midnight Sun (Twilight #5) by Stephanie Meyer and Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy #5) by Ilona Andrews. I am currently listening to the audiobook Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians #1) by Kit Rocha. I cannot wait for Archangel’s Sun to release, super jealous of anyone that has received ARC’s.