Coming Soon… January 2019

Another month – another YEAR – and it’s time for another of our regular looks at the upcoming books we’re most excited about. It’ll come as no surprise that Sally Thorne’s 99 Percent Mine is at the top of many of AAR staffers’ lists of their most anticipated books; The Hating Game was such a huge success and we’re hungry for more! We’re saying goodbye to Annabeth Albert’s Out of Uniform series this month, with the release of the seventh and final book in the series, Rough Terrain, and welcoming a new series of historical westerns by Anna Schmidt with Trailblazer, book one in her Cowboys and Harvey Girls series AND a new sci-fi romance series with Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet.

As ever, we’ve got a fairly eclectic mix of choices here to get you started on your January reading – and don’t forget to drop by and let us know which books are on YOUR radar for the beginning of 2019!

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne (29 Jan)

I don’t know if anything can live up to The Hating Game, but I’m certainly going to be there to find out if it does. – Caroline

I discovered Sally Thorne and The Hating Game when I spotted a galley in the periphery of one of Sarah Maclean’s Instagram photos in 2016 – months before its release date.  I decided to request it for review based on the photo alone, and the rest, as they say, is history.  It’s brilliant.  I’ve been patiently waiting for Ms. Thorne’s NEXT BIG BOOK like everyone else in Romancelandia, and I’m relieved the wait is over.  I don’t know much about it and I’ve deliberately avoided reading early reviews.  99 Percent Mine is 100% what I will be reading on January 20th. – Em

I’ll be joining the masses on this one, but I adored The Hating Game and I’ve been eagerly awaiting Thorne’s new release. I fully expect it it to not live up to my love of her debut, and I’m okay with that. All I’m hoping is that it has the same quirky, fun to read voice that I enjoyed in The Hating Game as well as a few swoon-worthy moments. – Haley

After the runaway success of The Hating Game, who isn’t waiting for this book? It is one of 2019’s most anticipated book for me. – Keira

Sally Thorne captivated the romance world with The Hating Game, and I’m beyond excited to see where she takes us with her brand new contemp about a woman with a major crush on her brother’s best friend, put in close quarters when he comes to renovate her home so she can sell it. – Lisa

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Trailblazer by Anna Schmidt (1 Jan)

A historical western! By a new-to-me author! I can’t wait to read it. In an adventure of a lifetime, Grace Rogers accepts a position with the prestigious Fred Harvey Company and heads for Juniper, NM. Cowboy Nick Hopkins is charmed by the pioneering Harvey Girl, and they marry in secret in the face of a rival who also wants to marry Grace and refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer. – Keira

The legacy of the Harvey Girls is ripe for a romantic take, and this book sounds beautiful! – Lisa

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

The Light Over London by Julia Kelly (8 Jan)

This is a dual timeline book set in modern-day London and during WWII. At her work for an antiques dealer, Cara Hargraves finds a diary and a photograph of a woman in uniform. As she delves deeper into the life of Louise Keene, a Gunner Girl, she’s shocked by the reality of wartime. London during WW II and the bravery of the men and women during it is a subject that captivates me. – Keira

I love books set during the second world war, and Julia Kelly’s The Light Over London promises to be one of the best. It’s a dual timeline story featuring two intrepid heroines, one of whom is a Gunner Girl. What more can I say? – Shannon

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Rough Terrain by Annabeth Albert (14 Jan)

I came late to the Out of Uniform series, but managed to catch up and have enjoyed each of the books to varying degrees, the last couple being among my favourites.  I’ll be sad to say goodbye in this seventh and final book, but am still looking forward to reading Renzo’s story.  We’ve met him a few times in previous books; he’s got a bit of a thing for the guy at the local smoothie shop and ends up playing emergency-fake-boyfriend on what turns out to be the camping trip from hell… I’m confident the sparks will fly! – Caz

The Out of Uniform series has been reliably good reading for the past couple of years and I hate that it’s ending!  Although there have been a few misses, the last book proved to be my favorite in the series and I’m confident the author is saving her best for last.  In Rough Terrain, we revisit a character we’ve glimpsed in books five and six – Navy SEAL Renzo Bianchi (aka “Rooster”) – after he falls hard in lust for the hot guy who makes his daily smoothies.  Opposites attract and lust becomes something ‘more’ when these two wind up fighting for their lives after a camping trip goes awry.  I’m sad to say goodbye to the series, but hopeful Ms. Albert wraps it up on a high note! – Em

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Texas Legacy by Lorraine Heath (15 Jan)
I originally read Heath’s Texas Trilogy…almost twenty years ago? I was probably a pre-teen when I stole Texas Destiny from my mom to read, but I still consider it one of my favorite romances of all time. It’s absolutely heart-wrenching. I have no idea what to expect from a novella revisiting this series two decades later, but I’m willing to give it a try. –Haley

Lorraine Heath ‘s latest sounds like a slightly happier version of Wuthering Heights set in the Old West, a delicious combination of ideas.  – Lisa

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Any Old Diamonds by K.J. Charles (31 Jan)

The son of a duke with a grudge against his father hires a thief to steal some priceless jewels at a remote Scottish castle… Anything by K.J. Charles is an automatic must-read for me, and Any Old Diamonds promises betrayals, secrets, new loves, and old evils – and I am SO there for all of it! – Caz

I don’t know anything about this and only realized Ms. Charles had a new release in January about five minutes ago. Doesn’t matter; if she writes it, I’ll read it.  Ms. Charles hasn’t let me down yet.  Okay, okay… I’m going to peek at the blurb.  A jewel thief, a naive aristocrat and a bitter grudge… I’m here for this.  IT’S GOING TO BE TERRIFIC. – Em

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

We’re also looking forward to…

Anne:

Stain by A. G. Howard (15 Jan)

This one had me when I was learned it was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea, which has always struck me as an odd story with lots of subtext. Then I learned it was a dark Gothic fairy tale. The world has been divided into a kingdom of daylight, and a kingdom of thorns and night. The princess of the kingdom of daylight is Lyra, and she is incapable of speaking or even making a sound. After her aunt casts her out, a witch saves her and raises her as a boy named Stain. Meanwhile, the prince of the rival kingdom can only break a curse by wedding the princess of daylight. However, a rival princess might steal him. Without a voice, Lyra must prove herself to be the true princess.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann (15 Jan)

Marni Mann is best-known for writing dark romances that put readers (and the heroines) through the wringer. This book seems very different — the tale of a heroine (a first responder in Boston) who loses her heart to two very different men. But apparently there is no cheating involved, and instead heartbreaking twists and turns.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Bridget Kemmere (29 Jan)

Prince Rhen was cursed to relive the autumn of his eighteenth year — unless a girl fell in love with him. That can’t be too bad, right? All he has to do is charm the girl. But he didn’t know that he would also become a vicious beast and destroy his family and their castle. Throw in Harper Lacy, a modern day teenager with cerebral palsy who ends up in this world. Will she be able to break the curse? Will Rhen learn that she’s more than yet another girl to charm?

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

The Au Pair by Emma Rous (8 Jan)

This debut psychological thriller has the tagline “If V. C. Andrews and Kate Morton had a literary love child, Emma Rous’ The Au Pair would be it.” Seraphine Mayes knows that hours after she and her twin brother Danny were born, her mother threw herself off a cliff. Laura, the au pair of her older brother, Edwin, fled. Twenty-five years later, Seraphine finds a photograph that raises new questions. This twisty story is told by both Seraphine (present day) and Laura (1991).

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Caroline:

Three Little Words by Jenny Holiday (29 Jan)

Other books in Holiday’s Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series made my Best of 2018 list. This book stars Gia, the bridesmaid who’s also a model, on a misadventure with the dress in New York. I can’t wait!

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Em:

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (29 Jan)

I loved the Six of Crows duology.  King of Scars is set in the same Grishaverse as those books and features characters glimpsed in the earlier series.  The timing is perfect – I’ve just introduced my son to Ms. Bardugo and we will be buddy reading this one together.   In King of Scars, a young king struggles against the dark magic within him while trying to protect his country.  I love Ms. Bardugo’s complicated, clever storytelling and the characters who inhabit her Grishaverse.  I’m looking forward to an intense reading experience and precious bonding time with my favorite little reader.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo 

Keira:

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal (15 Jan)

This is a ‘Pride & Prejudice’ tale set in modern-day Pakistan. How fun is that premise? Poor school teacher, Alys Binat, the second of five daughters, has sworn never to marry…until she meets Mr. Darsee at a wedding. As with Austen’s original, this story explores love, marriage, and class.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli (22 Jan)

This book is a fascinating look into arranged marriages in the Indian immigrant community from the point of view of an Indian-American young woman. While her traditional grandmother ambushes Raina Anand with appropriate grooms, Raina wants to forge a life for herself and finds love when she least expects it.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Lisa:

Once Ghosted Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole (8 Jan)

Alyssa Cole’s Royalty series has been a real treat, and this on is an f/f romance!  I’m beyond thrilled to read it!

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

To Ruin a Gentleman by Shana Galen (15 Jan)

I loved Galen’s last romance – this is a take on the Scarlet Pimpernel and it sounds incredible!

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Duchess by Deception by Marie Force (29 Jan)

I’m most familiar with Force’s contemporary romances, so I’m interested in seeing how she tackles the world of historical romance!

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Maggie:

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Choski (15 Jan)

I loved the Star Touched series by Ms. Choski and am really looking forward to this new series which involves a treasure hunt to save the world.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Undying: Unearthed book 2 by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (22 Jan)

Book one ended on an absolute cliffhanger and I am anxious to learn what will happen to our intrepid hero and heroine in book two. Mia and Jules were exploring an abandoned planet when they Unearthed a deadly secret. Now its a race against an invading army to get the information to the right people on Earth.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

The Suspect by Fiona Barton (22 Jan)

Two missing girls, an intrepid journalist and the all the twists a tale can hold.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Maria Rose:

Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballenger (1 Jan)

I’m starting the new year with a new to me author! This is the first story in the Seven Range Shifters series, and the combination of wolf shifters and cowboys sounds too good to pass up. The story has a human rancher heroine who gets caught up in the middle of a supernatural war. I’m intrigued!

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet (1 Jan)

I’ve heard lots of good things about this fantasy and sci-fi romance author, and the first entry in her new Endeavor series seems like a good place to start reading her books. I saw it described by a fellow reviewer as ‘Star Wars meets Robin Hood’ – that’s an irresistible tag line for me.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

How to Seduce a Bad Boy by Traci Douglass (14 Jan)

Virginal librarian seeks help from town bad boy (an army veteran) to make her birthday extra special. That’s a one line summation of the plot, and the cover (and admittedly this description) are what compelled me to pick up a review copy. It’s part of the Entangled Bliss line which means it’s a closed door romance so it will be interesting to see how that’s handled since the focus for the heroine is on the sexy bits! I’m hoping for a bucket load of sexual tension and some sweet romance.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Blind Date Bet by Nicole Flockton (22 Jan)

Put a sexy guy with his faithful canine companion on the cover, and you’ll definitely draw my attention! The hero is a K-9 handler for the Air Force and the heroine is a grade 5 teacher who are set up on a blind date. That’s all I needed to know to pick it up.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Shannon:

The Similars by Rebecca Hanover (1 Jan)

I’m super excited to sink my teeth into this young adult novel featuring a group of clones attending an elite boarding school. It looks like exactly the blend of romance and intrigue I’ve been craving lately.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

The Paragon Hotel by Lindsay Faye (8 Jan)

I’ve heard a ton of great things about the work of author Lindsay Faye, and this novel set in the 1920s intrigued me. It promises to contain danger, romance, and all the simmering tension necessary to hook me in. January 8th can’t come soon enough for my liking!

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (8 Jan)

I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this stellar novel of psychological suspense penned by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, and I can’t wait for fellow fans of twisty thrillers to pick this up. It’s the story of a woman who gets caught up in a psychological study of human behavior which could very well have deadly consequences for her and those she loves, and it’s every bit as chilling as it sounds.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

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These are the books we’re eager to read over the next few weeks. What are YOU looking forward to?

Tell us in the comments.

Note: This is only a selection of the new releases available; release dates are correct and purchase links are given where known at time of writing.