Angela- We haven’t done this in a while (sorry, life has been hectic) but there are SO MANY great new releases coming out in June I need to talk about.
As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr 6/7 Contemporary Romance–
Fans of the Hallmark Channel and Gilmore Girls will adore this delightful rom‑com about a city girl who goes in search of small-town happiness, only to discover life—and love—are nothing like the TV movies.
A Proposal They Can’t Refuse by Natalie Cana 6/7 Contemporary Romance– This one sounds so cute and I know Melanie loved it. A fake engagement between a Puerto Rican chef and an Irish American whiskey distiller whose grandfathers are fast friends and trying to set them up.
Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus #3) by Katee Robert 6/7 Contemporary Fantasy–
*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that’s as sinful as it is sweet.*
Yes, please.
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill 6/7 Mystery/Suspense– I saw a post for this on Twitter and was so intrigued. A murder mystery set in a library where one of the characters is actually the murderer. Could it be the narrator of the story, or someone else?
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder 6/14 Contemporary Romance– This is another book where the cutesy cover does not reflect the content. Two actors, one A list and one B list, engage in a fake relationship to prop up their careers. There are a lot of darker themes… alcoholism, grief, etc. But I did enjoy.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston 6/28 PNR – I loved this book. A struggling ghost writer goes back home to help with her beloved father’s funeral and starts up a friendship of sorts with the ghost of her former editor. Oh, yeah and her family owns the local funeral parlor. I would call this a grief book, but quirky and fun with a soft romance and wonderfully bright and vivid characters.
Iby – June promises to be an excellent reading month. Catch me poolside with one of these bad boys!
My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey 6/6 Contemporary Romance– I adore Tessa Bailey’s heroes, and this set-up between a bounty hunter and an elementary school teacher has my name written all over it. Fingers crossed for a delightful grumpy-sunshine.
Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score 6/21 Contemporary Romance – Review is forthcoming, but I genuinely enjoyed this romcom set in a small town. The set-up: think every awesome home renovation show, but with an emotionally closed-off heroine and a hero who falls immediately in love. Lots of loveable secondary characters round out this light-hearted romcom.
The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O’Roark 6/23 Contemporary Romance – This is the third in a standalone series with hilarious dialogue and amazing pining between the main characters. This one is a workplace enemies-to-lovers story, and I cannot wait to see what Ms. O’Roark does with this trope.
Twisted Lies by Ana Huang 6/30 Contemporary Romance – This is the fourth and final book in a connected contemporary romance series following four friends from college. I need to read the third book still, but the first two were VERY steamy, angsty and fun. The fourth one features the heroine I’ve been most curious about, Stella. Bonus: they are all on Kindle Unlimited.
My June TBR, so far:
Amelia Wilde’s POWER PLAY (June 7) features a hero and heroine who were both secondary characters in her recent Wealth trilogy. The hero holds the heroine’s family accountable for his own family’s downfall; the heroine (a baker) is estranged from her family for other reasons. The hero initially pursues her for revenge. Wilde writes very dark in a style similar to Skye Warren (another favorite of mine). I like dark, but YMMV.
Julie Kriss’s RIFF (June 9) is the second in her Road Kings series of rock band romances. I really liked the first book, DUET, in part because the Road Kings band was never enormously successful—they were a mid-range band famous for their live shows, but the members of the band can plausibly be unrecognizable. RIFF features a second-chance romance between the band’s bass player and the mother of his teenage daughter. I think Kriss is one of the most underrated writers in Romancelandia and I’m really looking forward to this next book.
Zoe York’s FEARLESS AT HEART (June 14) is the fourth in her Kinkaids of Pine Harbour series featuring a family of five brothers all of whom are employed in first-responder jobs. FEARLESS AT HEART features somewhat older MCs (late-thirties) who have known each other since high school but have never acted on their feelings. I’m hoping York will right the ship with FEARLESS AT HEART because the previous book in the series, WILD AT HEART, was rather dull and kept the MCs apart for long stretches of time.
Garrett Leigh’s SAINT’S SONG (June 14) is the second of her Rebel Kings MC series and continues the story started in the first book, DEVIL’S DANCE. This is an M/M/M-menage romance featuring members of a motorcycle club. The first book was dark & gritty, so I’m not expecting the second to be any different in tone.
Sybil Bartel’s ZULU (June 14) is the latest in her romantic-suspense Alpha Elite series. Bartel writes to a template (beyond-gonzo alpha heroes; resilient heroines in trouble through no fault of their own; lots of fire power & high body counts; and plenty of sexy-times with a D/s dynamic). If you don’t like the template, her books will not be for you. But if, like me, you do like Bartel’s style, ZULU will be a good read.
June 14 is shaping up to be a banner day! In addition to the aforementioned books, THE CRASH by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde is also scheduled for release. THE CRASH is a couple-against-the-elements story when the plane piloted by the hero (who is part of the Midnight Dynasty Morelli family) crashes on the way to taking the geologist heroine to a remote jungle site. Warren has a history of books not releasing on their due dates, so I won’t be surprised if this doesn’t show on June 14—but will be very happy if it does.
Ana Huang’s TWISTED LIES (June 30) is the fourth and final book in her Twisted series about four college roommates and their lives & loves after graduation. I’m generally not a big fan of N/A, but I’ve liked the previous books in the series (especially the bodyguard romance, TWISTED GAMES). TWISTED LIES is about a couple who agree to a fake relationship. Let the faking begin!
I’m looking forward to The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison (she wrote The Goblin Emperor).
I’d already requested The Dead Romantics from my library, Angela, so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!