This grumpy sunshine contemporary from Layne (Passion on Park Avenue) brims with wit and warmth. Astronomer Miranda Reed is approaching Neil Degrasse Tyson levels of fame thanks to her approachable and entertaining teaching style, so it’s a big shock when she’s denied tenure at the fictional Nova University. Forced into taking a one-year sabbatical and crashing at her aunt’s Manhattan townhouse, she throws herself into an entirely unscientific endeavor: astrology. Since she no longer trusts her own judgment, she’ll allow her horoscope to make her decisions for her. Meanwhile, she takes on tutoring clients, including astronomy-obsessed Kylee, and meets her new neighbor Archer, a reclusive artist who enjoys painting by night on their buildings’ shared roof. As Miranda and Archer form a tentative, bickering friendship, she begins dating Christian, Kylee’s knight in shining armor of a father. But is their relationship really written in the stars? What begins as a bog-standard rom-com quickly develops subtleties and nuances as Miranda undergoes some serious personal growth. The result is a rich tale of self-discovery and empowerment, complete with a romance that readers will root for. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency (Aug.)

Reviewed on 05/31/2024 | Details & Permalink

In this zippy paranormal romance, Duke (When Life Gives You Vampires) uses supernatural elements to underline a tale of personal growth. Struggling actor Carrie Adams earns a living as a bartender while bickering with her annoyingly attractive coworker, up-and-coming musician Nick Stokes, and managing the disappointment of her parents, who wish she’d become a lawyer instead. Then, overnight, she develops 24 pounds of muscle and the ability to manifest a flaming sword. Turns out Nick’s been made into a vampire and the universe’s way of balancing things out is to make Carrie a vampire slayer. As Carrie stuggles to land auditions despite her intimidatingly buff build, she must also learn to keep her inner slayer in check so she doesn’t kill Nick—who she’s starting to actually like. Now that she’s part of L.A.’s underground supernatural scene, her life’s become dangerously complicated, and her growing feelings for Nick may doom them both. Duke’s familiarity with the ins and outs of Hollywood adds a layer of verisimilitude, but her light touch with vampire tropes means readers looking for immortal brooding bad boys or visceral combat scenes may be disappointed. Those in the mood for a swift, sassy romance, however, will be satisfied. (Aug.)

Reviewed on 05/31/2024 | Details & Permalink

A woman explores an alternate timeline in the exciting latest from Kate (after By Any Other Name). Maid of honor Olivia Dusk is determined to see her best friend’s wedding go off without a hitch, even if that means keeping her cool around the best man, Jake Glasswell, her former high school rival who now hosts a popular TV talk show. Olivia put her own dreams of working in entertainment on hold to help out her mother after her father’s death 10 years prior, so her distaste for Jake is now compounded by jealousy. Something strange happens when Misha and her fiancé kiss at the altar, however: Liv is abruptly propelled into an alternate version of her life. In this world, which she dubs High Life, she and Jake are married, she’s estranged from her mom, and she, rather than Jake, is a TV star. Though she searches for a way to get back to the reality she remembers, there’s a part of Liv that doesn’t want to leave this new life behind. With a touch of humor and plenty of swoony moments, Kate nimbly explores how small choices can alter the trajectory of a life. Readers will be hooked. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary. (July)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

Devore’s juicy adult debut (after the YA novel A Better Bad Idea) takes a cynical look at reality dating shows, with the love story taking a backseat to the behind-the-scenes drama. The night before jaded romance author Jacqueline “Jac” Matthis is due to begin filming as a contestant on a Bachelor-esque reality show she hopes will boost her book sales, she meets charming, pensive Henry at a bar and the two flirt their way into a one-night stand. Thinking little of it, Jac arrives on set, where she’s surprised to find she has genuine chemistry with the leading man, Marcus. Even more shocking? Henry is a producer on the show. The pair agree to keep their tryst a secret and do their best to avoid each other, but this becomes increasingly difficult as the contestant pool dwindles. Meanwhile, Jac builds a strong connection with Marcus and, due to her tendency to say exactly what she’s thinking, completely fails to endear herself to her fellow contestants. The narrative is propelled by Jac’s efforts to outsmart the producers and manage her image, while the love triangle with Henry and Marcus functions as more of a B plot. As a result, the relationship progression feels both scattered and rushed. Still, readers looking for soapy drama should snap this up. (July)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

Ready’s poignant third Ghosted paranormal romance (after Switched) centers on single mother Fiona Arby, the CEO of her family’s luxury watch company. Wary of love after a romantic betrayal, Fiona devotes herself to work and raising her daughter, Mila. Though her friend Max makes no secret of his romantic feelings for her, Fiona ignores his advances in favor of protecting her heart. Then the bohemian mother who abandoned her years before returns and gives her a gift: a family heirloom that’s said to have the power to grant its owner’s wishes in her dreams. That very night, Fiona dreams of life on a beautiful island with a handsome stranger named Aaron McCormick as her husband. As the nights pass, she and Aaron grow closer. But what happens when dreams and reality collide? Ready’s twisty if occasionally convoluted plot will have readers questioning Fiona’s path to a happy ending even as they root for her to let down her guard and embrace love. A robust supporting cast—including other residents of Fiona’s dream world—adds to the enjoyment. This is another charmer from Ready. (July)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

In this sweet rom-com, Heron (Jana Goes Wild) reunites old flames while pulling back the curtain on the rookie Hollywood experience. Twenty-something Marley Kamal has finally landed her dream position as a personal shopper at Reid’s Department Store—but her first celebrity client turns out to be her former prom date, Nik Shamdasani. Nik’s just gotten his big break as an actor and desperately needs a stylist who can prepare him for Comic-Con in two weeks, where it will be announced that he’s been cast as fan favorite superhero Bronze Shadow. Marley also has a big event looming in two weeks: she’s having an elective double mastectomy. She’s initially worried that working with Nik will be too awkward, but he makes her an offer she can’t refuse: he’ll serve as her live-in caregiver during her recovery from surgery. The two commit to a working relationship, but while living together and relying on each other, the feelings they thought they left at prom night resurface. Heron incorporates a timely discussion of racial inequities in Hollywood and sensitively handles Marley’s medical status, but keeps things fairly surface-level and light throughout. Still, readers looking for a breezy contemporary with closed-door sex scenes will be well pleased. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (July)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

In this lush, paranormal reimagining of The Great Gatsby, Kenney (the Dark Rulers series) dabbles in the superficial trappings of the original while largely ignoring its deeper themes. After graduating from college, Daisy Finnegan takes a “gap summer,” living with her parents in North Carolina while she tries to get over her abusive ex, Tom. When her best friend invites her to a billionaire’s party, Daisy is shocked to discover the host is her former friend Jay Gatsby, whom she hasn’t seen in eight years. Now decadently rich and popular, Gatsby only has eyes for Daisy, who eagerly responds to his interest. But then he reveals the source of his newfound wealth: he’s a vampire who turns select humans into immortals like him for cash. Caught up in a whirlwind of luxury, blood, and secrets, Daisy must figure out how she fits into Jay’s life—especially when his enemies come calling. Purists will balk at the liberties Kenney takes with her source material, but those who take this on its own terms will find a solid romance at the story’s heart. Daisy and Jay’s steamy connection is believable and the worldbuilding leaves room for further exploration in subsequent volumes. Kenney’s fans will be pleased. Agent: Eva Scalzo, Speilburg Literary. (July)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

Soltani’s slow-burning debut finds South Asian Formula 1 driver Dev Anderson desperate to win back his sponsors after his bitter former PR manager shares a series of embarrassing sexual posts on Anderson’s social media. He hires his best friend Oakley’s sister, mixed-race aspiring sports manager Willow Williams, who has mobility issues, to help give him an online rebrand. There’s just one wrinkle to their professional relationship: the long-simmering feelings that neither will admit to. Both view the relationship as off-limits because the last time Willow got involved with one of Oakley’s friends it ended in disaster. But as they navigate the misogynistic and often racist racing circuit, which takes them from Monaco to Abu Dhabi, the chemistry between them only intensifies. Soltani’s sensitive, diverse take on the typical sports romance is a breath of fresh air, helmed by a sexy cinnamon roll hero. Unfortunately, the plot drags in some places, especially as the stakes of Oakley learning about Dev and Willow’s involvement with each other never feel particularly high. Still, readers looking for gentle sports romance will want to check this out. (July)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

McAlister takes readers on a reality show romp in her soapy third Marry Me, Juliet romance (after Can I Steal You for a Second?). Best friends Murray O’Connell and Lily Ong, both producers on a Bachelor-esque dating show, have orchestrated some of reality TV’s most memorable moments and brought together its best loved couples. But after Lily’s husband, Jeff, dies, she becomes hell-bent on blowing up her life, destroying both her reputation and her career by going on the show herself and playing the part of villain. As Lily schemes to shake things up among the contestants, Murray faces his own complicated feelings for Lily and how they play into the reality show story arc unfolding in front of them. McAlister makes room for some truly fraught emotional moments, particularly as Lily struggles with her longtime attraction to Murray, which predates her marriage and complicates her grieving process. The plot strikes a fine balance between showing how the sausage is made on reality TV and sensitively addressing love and loss. The central friends-to-lovers romance is complicated and sometimes tortured but always believable. This is an easy pick for the beach bag. (June)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink

Frame sparkles in her third Fox Family romance (after The Fox and the Rebound). Rebel Records music talent scout Mindy Fox has it all. But when her country superstar boyfriend Blake Bonham decides to go back to his estranged wife, the industry drops Mindy like a hot potato. Blacklisted from the biz, Mindy decides to start her own label and signs up-and-coming singer-songwriter Luke Fletcher, who gave up his career as a physician to make a go of his music. To save money, they head to the campground run by Mindy’s family to record. There, Mindy is forced to deal with a festering wound involving her younger sister, Taylor. Despite Luke’s anxiety about his career change and Mindy’s familial friction, the pair are immediately attracted to each other—but Frame makes readers wait for the romantic pay off, skillfully ratcheting up the sexual tension until it boils over. Frame sensitively handles a number of issues in the characters’ backstories, including suicide and alcohol abuse, and leavens the darker moments with sweetness and laughter. This solid contemporary will have wide appeal. (Self-published)

Reviewed on 05/24/2024 | Details & Permalink