The “Better Late Than Never” list for 2018

2018 has already started, but there is a whole year of great books ahead of us. I asked my fellow AAR staffers what books they are most looking forward to for the rest of the year and got back a big variety of books. However, several titles were mentioned over and over. Check out what our staff had to say about their most anticipated reads for 2018, and be sure to let us know in the comments if you’re looking forward to these as well, or if we missed something you can’t wait to get your hands on.

~ Haley Kral

Links to bookstores for pre-ordering are given where currently available.

Our Most Anticipated

The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran (Feb 27)

I am an unabashed Meredith Duran fangirl and have loved everything of hers I’ve read.  Her writing is sharp and intelligent and she doesn’t shy away from creating characters who aren’t always easy to like.  Liam, Lord Lockwood, has waited a decade for his story to be told (since he first appeared in The Duke of Shadows), and I can say (because I’ve read it already) that his is an angsty story that is not always easy to read, but oh, my goodness, it’s wonderful. -Caz

I’m highly anticipating The Sins of Lord Lockwood  by Meredith Duran. I have liked every book by her, and she continues to be one of my top favorite historical writers. The story is a Count of Monte Cristo-esque adventure with an earl back from the death and bent on revenge for the conspiracy that took him away from his treasured bride-to-be.  -Keira

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James (Mar 20)

I first read an excerpt of this one about two years ago, and I’ve wanted the rest ever since. – Lynn

While I have had the chance to read this already, it is easy to say it was my MOST anticipated release of the year. I love this author’s writing and was so, so happy to get a chance to check out her tale of a ghost in a school for troubled girls. -Maggie

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Hurts to Love You by Alisha Rai (Mar 27)

I’m looking forward to Hurts to Love You by Alisha Rai. Eve is such a great character and I can’t wait to watch her fall in love, even though I’m about 99% sure this book will wreck me. Bring on the angst! (And also please bring me a box of tissues as I will likely need them.) – Heather

The first two books in this series were some of my favorites of 2017 and I’m so thankful we don’t have to wait too long into 2018 before we get Eve and Gabe’s story. I love the angst Rai includes, as well as how real her characters and setting feel. -Haley

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

From Twinkle with Love by Sandhya Menon (May 22)

I so enjoyed her debut When Dimple Met Rishi–I’m excited to read this story which is features a wallflower heroine and is an epistolary book! -Dabney

Menon’s first book really made me rethink my dislike of YA Contemporary because it was so stinking good! The romance was perfectly sweet and I enjoyed all of the cultural aspects included, so I really hope that From Twinkle With Love will give me that same loving feeling. -Haley

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Object of Desire by Dal Maclean (May 22)

Dal Maclean’s début made my Best of 2016 list.  I love crime fiction and she’s an excellent writer. –BJ

Ms. Maclean’s debut (Bitter Legacy) was one of my favorite novels of 2016 – sexy, smart and gut wrenching.  In this latest novel, our hero is framed for a murder he swears he didn’t commit and forced to ask for help from a man he thought he’d never see again.  At least I think is!  Doesn’t matter – I’m pre-ordering anything Ms. Maclean writes and looking forward to the May release date. –Em

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Making Up by Lucy Parker (May 28)

I don’t read many contemporary romances, but Lucy Parker’s Act Like It turned her into a ‘must read’ and the follow-up, Pretty Face was pure gold. She captures the world of London’s West End brilliantly and if I hadn’t known she was a New Zealander, I’d never have guessed she wasn’t native to these shores because her characters speak and think like Brits.  I confess – I don’t even know what Making Up is about, but I don’t need to.  Lucy Parker wrote it and that’s good enough for me! -Caz

I really enjoyed the first two books from Parker and I think it is guaranteed that Making Up will be a great read as well. It is definitely on my pre-order list. –Haley

In a world where so many authors are trying to write the next The Hating Game, Parker has basically already done that. And then some. The third in her London Celebrities series brings us back to her world of snarky, grumpy, charming stage actors, and this time the focus is on Trix, a pink-haired circus artist, and Leo, a disgraced wizard of special effects. They can’t stand each other, they can’t get enough, and they might not be able to make it work even if they wanted to. Which they don’t. Right? I can’t wait.– Hollis

I’m dying to read Making Up by Lucy Parker. Her first two books were on my Best Books list, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating her third. It’s a story of fireworks on and off the London Stage in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown in the West End. –Keira

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

First Time at Firelight Falls by Julie Anne Long (May 29)

First Time at Firelight Falls is the fourth in her contemporary series. The last book convinced me that Long has figured out how to take all the skills that made her historicals shine and is applying them with panache to stories set in our time. The hero of this book is a hunky elementary school principal – be still my heart! -Dabney

Julie Anne Long is the queen of contemporary comedic romance (Well, her and Sarah Title). You know her next one is gonna be amazing. -Lisa

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Ocean Light by Nalini Singh (Jun 12)

I love Singh’s Changeling novels and I’m sure this one will be no exception. -Maggie

Silver Silence was my first read by Nalini Singh and introduced me to her wonderful world building and exceptional characters. I’m excited to continue the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. – Maria Rose

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley (Aug 7)

I may be counting the days until Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley is released. Ok, I’m definitely counting the days since April 24 is marked on my calendar as “Do not disturb under penalty of great suffering.” I’m locking the door and turning off my phone so that I can dive right into another great story of romance in the past and present. -Heather

I’m looking forward to Bellewether because it’s been three years since her last book came out, which is way too long though I know she does quite a bit of research, so I forgive her. –Lee

I have been waiting excitedly for this book ever since Kearsley first mentioned it a few years ago. I cannot wait to read it. – Lynn

Kearsley is one of my favorite authors of dual timeline novels, which happens to be one of my favorite genres. I love everything this lady does and can’t wait to see what this latest novel is like. -Maggie

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne (Oct 2)

No idea what it’s about or where it’s set…doesn’t matter.  I want it. – Em

No one even knows for sure what this book is about yet, and I don’t care. As long as it has Thorne’s unique, quirky voice and 1/10th of the awesome romance of The Hating Game, I’ll love it. -Haley

It’s a book by Sally Thorne. If you’ve read The Hating Game then you’ll be anticipating this just as much as I am!– Hollis

Can Sally Thorne follow up her out-of-the-park homer that was The Hating Game?  Looking forward to seeing what she does. – Lisa

I loved The Hating Game and I have been longing to see what this author would do next. – Lynn

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Use of Hands by Santino Hassell (Release Date TBA)

In book three of The Barons series, Mr. Hassell tries to do the impossible:  redeem Rocky Swopes (we hate him! but we’re worried about him! but we hate him!).  This author, this series, these guys…ugh, I love them so much. – Em

I’ll admit, I haven’t had time to read the second Barons book yet, but that doesn’t mean Use of Hands isn’t already on my list. Hassell’s books are excellent and I really liked Down by Contact. -Haley

What Else We’re Anticipating

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (Feb 6)

This is set in Alaska during the 1970’s, and I couldn’t be more excited to get my hands on it. Kristin Hannah writes compelling stories filled with well-drawn characters in unique situations, and I’ve had my eye on this one since I first heard about it last year. – Shannon

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Look for Me by Lisa Gardner (Feb 6)

Because Gardener always delivers a scintillating mystery. This one reunites D.D. Warren and Flora Dane, who made a very dynamic duo in Find Her. -Maggie

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce (Feb 6)

This is the first book in The Numair Chronicles Archive, a new series about the early life of one of her most popular characters, Arram Draper — known as Numair in the later books. It’s coming out in February. My dilemma is…  Should I get the hardback that comes with the limited edition poster? Or the Kindle edition that will be easier to read? –Anne

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series by Jenny Holiday (One and Only Feb 27 and It Takes Two June 26)

All the books I’ve read by Jenny Holiday recently have been excellent and 2 (Famous and Infamous) landed on my best of 2016 list. As the title implies, this series will be a fun romantic comedy and I look forward to many laughs. -Maria Rose

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Silver Stag by Yasmine Galenorn (Mar 5)

Yasmine Galenorn is far and away my favorite author these days, and I’m so excited for The Silver Stag, the first book in her new Wild Hunt series. It’s dark urban fantasy centered around Celtic mythology, and I’m counting down the days until its release. -Shannon

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Love Coupon by Ainslie Paton (Mar 9)

I’m excited for Ainslie Paton’s follow-up to The Love Experiment. – Caroline

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian (July 15)

Sebastian could rewrite the dictionary and I would read it. I don’t need a reason for anticipating this. And yet, following in the footsteps of the first in her Seducing the Sedgwicks series, I can’t wait for more of the charming Sedgwicks and to find out more about Hartley and his past.– Hollis

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Queen of Sorrows by Sarah Beth Durst (May 15)

Sarah Beth Durst’s The Queen of Sorrows is due out in May, and I am beyond excited. It’s the conclusion to the Queens of Renthia trilogy, which I’ve really been enjoying, not to mention a favorite author of mine. -Melanie

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

How Hard Can It Be by Allison Pearson (June 5)

I’m also looking forward to Allison Pearson’s How Hard Can It Be? because it’s been fifteen years since her first book, I Don’t Know How She Does it. -Lee

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Henchmen of Zenda by K.J. Charles. (June 11)

Another author of whom I’m an unashamed fangirl, something about K.J. Charles’ writing just clicked with me from the very first book of hers I read.  I’m also a huge fan of the sort of Victorian sensation fiction that has inspired a number of her books and I love immersing myself in that world.  Henchman of Zenda is part of an upcoming series in which different authors are writing queered versions of classic novels, and with the original (The Prisoner of Zenda) being one of those Victorian pulp novels I so love, I really can’t wait to read her take on it! -Caz

The Girl in the Moss by Loreth Anne White (June 12)

I can’t wait to get my hands on this third book featuring Angie Pallorino. The previous two books have been superb romantic thrillers with complex, well-executed plots, two engaging protagonists and plenty of edge-of-the seat action. In this story, Angie and her lover, James Maddocks are trying to carve out some “us” time when a cold case rears its ugly head and threatens Angie’s very existence.– Caz

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (July 10)

Uprooted was one of my favourite books of 2015 and even though this isn’t a sequel, or even a story set in the same world, I am so excited to see Novik return to retellings and fantasy folklore. A fierce, no-nonsense heroine, matched up with a creature who lurks in the woods? Yes please.– Hollis

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Nov 20)

As averred, I’m a huge Julia Quinn fan and am looking forward to more Bridgerton drama! -Lisa

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage (July 17)

I only just found out about this one – through a Facebook ad, of all things. Somebody called it “Gone Girl meets We Need to Talk about Kevin.” And I thought “Whaaat?” Then I found out it comes out in July. Talk about a long wait.  -Anne

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel (July 27)

Because I Found You, her 2017 release was one of my favorite books of the year. This mystery, about a missing teen and a mother trying to find her sounds gut wrenching and emotional and fascinating. -Maggie

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Seal’s Honor by Megan Crane (September 4)

I loved Megan Crane’s dystopian The Edge series, so I’m always on the lookout for new releases by her. There isn’t much information about this one yet, except that it’s the start of a new series, The Alaska Force, but it looks to be romantic suspense so I’m all in! -Maria Rose

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas (October 2)

I’ve said before that I’d read the backs of cereal packets if Sherry Thomas wrote them!  Fortunately, her Lady Sherlock series delivers far more interesting material than that, and she’s pretty much ruined me for all other historical mysteries.  When she said on FB recently that this next book in the series will see some romantic developments between Charlotte Holmes and her long-time friend, Lord Ingram Ashburton, my shippy little heart almost burst out of my chest with happiness! -Caz

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth (October 27)

This is being touted as a kind of YA follow up to C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. I follow the author online and I am excited to see this story of two sisters returning from a life in a fantasy land called The Woodlands and trying to adapt to life in the human world again. -Haley

Buy it at: A/BN/iB/K

Untitled (Game On #5) by Kristen Callihan (Release Date TBA)

While Ms. Callihan has yet to share a title for this latest addition to the super awesome, delicious and amazing Game On series, we do know who it’s about.  Jack Ryder is teammates with Ethan Dexter (featured in The Game Plan – my favorite book in the series so far).  He falls hard for a producer working on a training camp documentary.  I intend to download this and read it in one-go.  Because.  I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. -Em

The Magician Murders by Josh Lanyon (Release Date TBA)
I have just finished reading the second  book in this series and I want, no need, to know when and if Sam and Jason get their happy ending. -BJ