| Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert; illustrated by Lauren DombrowskiWhat it's about: Conrad Stewart and Alden Roth are passionate Odyssey players (think Magic: The Gathering) whose longstanding rivalry disguises a mutual attraction that will be revealed during a cross-country road trip to a gaming convention.
Why you might like it: Opposites attract in this sweet slow-burn of a new adult romance by the author of the #gaymers series. |
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| The Marriage Game by Sara DesaiWhat happens: Broke, unemployed, and suddenly single, Layla Patel returns to San Francisco to start her own business, only to learn that she has to share an office with corporate consultant Sam Mehta.
And then: Much to Layla's chagrin and Sam's amusement, they discover that Layla's matchmaking father has secretly arranged a series of blind dates with ten potential husbands.
For fans of: Sally Thorne's The Hating Game. |
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| Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali DevWhat it is: a culinary-themed spin on Jane Austen's Persuasion by the author of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors.
What happens: Chef Ashna Raje joins the cast of reality TV competition Cooking With the Stars and gets paired with soccer player Rico Silva, who once broke her heart.
You might also like: Kristen Proby's Savor You, which also reunites former sweethearts in a television studio years after a breakup. |
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| Beach Read by Emily HenryAuthor vs. Author: January Andrews, bestselling writer of women's fiction, encounters her college nemesis, literary novelist Augustus "Gus" Everett, when they retreat to the same town to battle writer's block.
The challenge: January and Gus will each attempt to write a book in the other's chosen genre, which involves many not-dates for "research," from line dancing to interviewing former cult members.
Why you might like it: Witty yet deeply moving, this metafictional romantic comedy is a love letter to books and reading. |
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| Real Men Knit by Kwana JacksonWhat it's about: To carry on the legacy of his late adoptive mother, Jesse Strong decides to take over her Harlem yarn store. Helping him is his childhood friend, Kerry Fuller, whose longstanding crush on Jesse is somewhat tempered by his womanizing ways.
Why you might like it: This warmhearted series opener celebrates community, chosen families, and crafting.
Author alert: Kwana Jackson, who also publishes under the name K.M. Jackson, is the author of the Unconventional Brides romances. |
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| Say Yes to the Duke: The Wildes of Lindow Castle by Eloisa JamesWhat it's about: After setting her cap for a mild-mannered country vicar, wallflower Viola Astley catches the eye of the notorious Duke of Wynter, who surprises everyone when he decides he must woo and win her.
Series alert: Say Yes to the Duke is the 5th in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series, which starts with Wilde in Love.
For fans of: Julia Quinn's Bridgerton novels. |
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| Alpha Night by Nalini SinghStarring: Alpha wolf Selenka Durev of the BlackEdge pack, and Ethan Night, an Arrow grappling with his traumatic past.
What happens: mating at first sight, which is not supposed to happen.
Should you start here? Probably not! This 4th installment of the Psy-Changeling Trinity novels (after Wolf Rain), a spin-off of the long-running Psy-Changeling series, requires at least some prior series knowledge. |
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| Ghosting: A Love Story by Tash SkiltonWhat it's about: As ghostwriters for rival online dating services, Miles Ibrahim and Zoey Abot help tongue-tied lonely hearts express their true feelings. Flirtation-by-proxy ensues when their respective clients begin dating.
About the author: Tash Skilton is the author duo of Sarah Skilton (Fame Adjacent) and Sarvenaz Tash (Virtually Yours).
For fans of: You've Got Mail and other classic '90s rom coms. |
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| The Boyfriend Project by Farrah RochonWhat happens: After software engineer Samiah Brooks discovers that her so-called boyfriend has been three-timing her, she bonds with his other girlfriends as they vow to dedicate the next six months to focusing on themselves and their life goals.
And then... Samiah's new coworker, Daniel Collins, makes her wonder if she was a little too hasty in swearing off men. Little does she know that Daniel isn't exactly what he seems.
For fans of: the black coder heroine and workplace romance of Alisha Rai's The Right Swipe, and the emphasis on female friendship found in Tracey Livesay's Girls Trip series. |
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| Something to Talk About by Meryl WilsnerNo comment: Despite rumors fueled by a red carpet photo, showrunner Jo Jones is NOT dating her assistant, Emma Kaplan.
But seriously, no comment: As a Chinese American lesbian (and former child star) working in Hollywood, Jo's got enough on her plate without indulging tabloid speculation about her personal life. Meanwhile, Emma wants to protect Jo for reasons that are only partly professional.
Reviewers say: "The writing is crisp, the banter is sharp, and the sexual tension is palpable" (Booklist). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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