Coming Soon… The Romances We’re Looking Forward to in April 2019
There’s a bumper haul of fabulous contemporary romances coming up in April with new books from Lucy Parker, Alexa Martin, Helena Hunting, Annabeth Albert and Alyssa Cole; there’s a new instalment in C.S Harris’ long-running series of historical mysteries featuring her aristocratic detective, Sebastian St. Cyr, the conclusion to a fabulous trilogy of paranormal mysteries and new historical romances from Madeline Hunter, Cat Sebastian and Grace Burrowes… there should be something for everyone here, and then some! Here’s what AAR staffers are looking forward to reading in April; drop by and tell us what new releases are going to make you all *grabby hands* over the coming weeks!
The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker (22 Apr)
Each of her books has felt unique, and yet they’re all equally good. I can’t wait for what’s coming next. – Alex A.
An actress and a critic and a fancy country house and a live viewer-interactive Austen TV event??? I can’t wait to see how this comes together.- Caroline
Lucy Parker is a rare contemporary romance must-read for me. I admit I wasn’t as wowed by Making Up as I was by the first two books in the London Celebrities series, but then she has set the bar very high;) And I’m totally here for this frenemies-to-lovers story involving a successful stage actress and the icy-cold theatre critic. Bring it on! – Caz
I’ve enjoyed each of Ms. Parker’s previous novels in the London Celebrities series, but I’m still waiting for her to top Act Like It. I thought the last book, Making Up, lacked the humor and sophistication of the earlier books, and I’m hopeful this one will be the best of the lot. Early reviews have VERY good things to say about it…and I’m looking forward to it. – Em
I adore Lucy Parker’s books and haven’t been disappointed by a single one yet.- Haley
I love, love, love Lucy Parker’s books. Every year she has had a book coming out, it has immediately zoomed to the top of my most anticipated books list. This year is no different. – Keira
Like other reviewers at AAR, Lucy Parker is on my auto-read list due to her previous contemporary romances that quickly have become favorites. It doesn’t really matter what the synopsis of this one is, I’m planning to read it! – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Fumbled by Alexa Martin (23 Apr)
Martin has been an author I’ve been dying to read after hearing so much praise for her book last year. Two high school sweethearts meet again after many years but with closely-held secrets and heartbreak between them. I’m a fan of second chances, and this sounds like it will be very good. – Keira
Add my voice to those of my colleagues – I’m ready for this one! – Kristen
Poppy’s story continues Martin’s series about the Denver Mustangs football team and the women who love them. – Lisa
I enjoyed the first book by this author and am looking forward to seeing how she handles a sophmore effort – Maggie
I loved Intercepted which ended up on my top ten list of romances for 2018. As such, anything Alexa Martin puts out in the future is on my radar, including this upcoming football romance. I hope it’s as good as the first one in the series! – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole
A European “red-headed step-prince” who uses the spotlight to help his heir brother – sounds like fun! – Caroline
Cole’s Reluctant Royals series returns once more, spotlighting Johan and Nya’s story! It’s can’t-miss! – Lisa
I’ve really been enjoying this unique contemporary romance series by Alyssa Cole, with A Princess in Theory making my top ten list of romances in 2018. I knew when I saw that this was part of the series that it would be on my to-read list. – Maria Rose
I loved Cole’s A Duke by Default and am excited to read the next book in her Reluctant Royals series. – Maggie
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris (2 Apr)
I’m a massive fan of this series, which has been consistently enjoyable throughout thirteen books and is, incredibly, getting even better as we approach the end. The murder victim in this book was an out-and-out villain in a previous one so it would appear he got what was coming to him. But in Sebastian St. Cyr’s world, nothing is ever that simple… – Caz
I never want this series to end. Everything about the St. Cyr mysteries is excellent – the complicated mysteries, the world-building, the writing, the characters, the historical detail…I could go on and on. Wicked Lord Ashford finally get his just desserts – but who killed him? Friends, I’m glad he’s dead…and I’m looking forward to finding out who killed him (I hope he suffered!). I’m happy to spend more time in this wonderful world.- Em
I am a huge fan of the St. Cyr series. I have faithfully followed the books year after year from the very first one. The author really knows how to delve deep into the historical era to create the perfect atmosphere for her mysteries. I am eager to know how this story will unfold for the victim seems to deserve it on the surface of it, but with Harris there is always a twist or two. – Keira
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting (9 Apr)
These days, I seem to be drawn to contemporary rom-coms. Hunting has been compared to Helen Hoang and this is one of the hottest books of this year. The heroine literally falls on the former famous actor she used to sigh over in her teens and fangirls all over him. But he ends up breaking her heart. How will their relationship recover? I’m looking forward to finding out. – Keira
I like the cover, the title, and the description of the ‘not so cute’ meet cute for this one. I haven’t read Helena Hunting before so I’m eager to give this author a try. – Maria Rose
I can’t find anything I’m not excited about here – I’ve liked a lot of Hunting’s past work, the meet cute in this one sounds delightful, and I’m very much in the mood for romcoms. – Kristen
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Thrown to the Wolves by Charlie Adhara (1 Apr)
Charlie Adhara’s début series has been a real triumph, boasting complex, tightly constructed plots, excellent world-building, two fabulous, engaging central characters and a steamy romance. This is the final book – and the big draw is finally getting to find out more about the enigmatic Oliver Park. – Caz
One of the best romantic suspense/shifter series I’ve had the pleasure to read, Big Bad Wolf, has (hopefully) saved its best for last: Oliver’s story! An enigma to readers – and his lover Cooper – Oliver has played his cards close to the chest as the series has unfolded. I’m excited to learn more about him, and for these two to get the happily ever after they so richly deserve. – Em
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Arctic Sun by Annabeth Albert (1 Apr)
The first in a new series by Annabeth Albert – I don’t even need to know what it’s about; I’m in.- Caz
I hated saying goodbye to the Out of Uniform series but it was good news when Ms. Albert announced she had a new series in the works. The opposites attract trope is one of my favorites and I’m looking forward to this match up: A rugged outdoorsman and a male model. I’m excited to see how Ms. Albert makes this duo work… and looking forward to another long running Albert series.- Em
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
When a Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowes (2 Apr)
This is the second book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series. The first book of the series – My One and Only Duke – earned a DIK last year. Grace Burrowes has run hot and cold for me. I did like the Windham series but not some that followed. I’m looking forward to giving this a try! – Evelyn
I really enjoyed My One and Only Duke, the first book in this series about a rough-and-tumble but rich family elevated unexpectedly to the peerage. I’m excited to read the sequel about a supporting character I loved (but whom I won’t name because he was a suspect in the crime in book 1).- Caroline
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
We’re also looking forward to…
Caroline:
Repeat by Kylie Scott (7 Apr)
A second-chance romance involving a head injury and amnesia. Raise your hand if that didn’t make YOU curious!
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Caz:
The Doctor’s Secret by Heidi Cullinan (23 Apr)
Having enjoyed a few books in this author’s backlist in audio format, I’m keen to jump into this new series of medical romances – a genre I don’t read much now, but on which I cut my romance-reading teeth when I was a teen!
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Never Deny a Duke by Madeline Hunter (30 Apr)
Although the last book in the Decadent Dukes series proved to be a disappointment, I’m a fan of the author’s and am hoping for a return to form in this final book in the trilogy which sees the tightly controlled Duke of Brentworth meeting his match in the form of a young woman who is completely unimpressed by him. Yeah. He’s toast. – Caz
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Keira:
The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo
A rom-com about a family-run wedding business? Take my money! I enjoy witty books, not slapstick comedy, but well-written humor. This book promises to be that by a new-to-me author who I’m eager to try.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Lisa:
A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian (16 Apr)
It’s the story of a scandalous novelist and the illustrator who loves her, and it sounds like a lot of fun.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett (16 Apr)
A very charming-sounding YA about two mystery book affectionados falling in love while solving a puzzle and working at a hotel over the summer.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Little Darlings by Melanie Golding (30 Apr)
This sounds like a truly chilling tale – an exhausted mother looks away for two seconds and her newborn twins disappear – and, when they are found, seem to be entirely different children, though only she notices.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Maria Rose:
The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma
The cover on this one is hot! But it’s also the synopsis that has attracted me to new-to-me author Nisha Sharma. Writing about a family with roots in Punjab, The Singh Family Trilogy promises an interesting mix of family loyalty, business and romance. I”m looking forward to reading book one of the series.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Shannon:
The Savior by J.R. Ward (2 Apr)
A new installment in J.R. Ward’s fabulous Black Dagger Brotherhood series is always a cause for celebration. This book promises to be especially angsty, since it features a character who has been in hiding for hundreds of years. I can’t wait to see how things turn out.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeny (30 Apr)
I adored the author’s debut thriller, Sometimes I Lie, and I’m super excited to see what her second book will be like. The plot looks compelling, and I’m hoping for great things.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Rose by Tiffany Reisz (16 Apr)
Tiffany Reisz has been on my list of auto-buy authors since I first discovered her back in 2014. Her writing is both lush and sexy, and I absolutely adore her multi-faceted characters. Needless to say, I’m incredibly excited to read The Rose, which is the follow-up to 2018’s The Red.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
King of Fools by Amanda Foody (30 Apr)
Amanda Foody has written two of my favorite young adult fantasy novels. Her worlds are dark and dangerous, and the characters who populate them practically leap off the pages and into my heart. King of Fools is the second book in her Shadow Game series, and I can’t wait to see how things turn out for our hero and heroine.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of available titles, just a selection made by AAR reviewers according to their personal tastes. Purchase links are given where available at time of writing.
If you haven’t already read/listened to Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock books, they’re fabulous. The audiobooks are read by Kate Reading, who is one of the best narrators around.
OMG, so excited for the next Sebastian St. Cyr book!!! Listening to Deanna Raybourn’s latest Veronica Speedwell mystery now. Recommendations for similar stellar historical mystery series to glom?
PB Ryan’s Nell Sweeney books are excellent – setting, Boston after the Civil War. Also, Lyndsay Faye’s trilogy about Timothy Wilde – setting NYC circa 1850. Timothy is a member of the newly formed NY police department – really wonderful trilogy.
Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby series is excellent, as is Andrea Penrose’s Wexford & Sloane.series
Coutney Milan’s coming book is “Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure” and seems to be set in England, maybe 1880, 1900? Here’s its description and an excerpt:
http://www.courtneymilan.com/mrsmartinsincomparableadventure.php .
Courtney Milan is scheduled for the release of her next book on March 26th. We’ll see if she delivers; sometimes, in the past, she didn’t. It’s about two older women (if I remember correctly, in their 50’s or 60’s) who unite to take down the nephew of one of them, and in the process, they fall in love. Milan loves to unite people that are left out by the romance community. Offhand, I can’t think of any romance where the two central characters are in their fifties or sixties, let alone two women. Can you? I give her a lot of credit for setting the bar so high, but I’d rather she went back to her conventional, heterosexual couples, but I will probably buy this one anyway.
Sandra Antonelli writes wonderful romances with couples in their forties and fifties and her next one, _Forever in Your Service_, is due out March 29th. I hope AAR reviews it as the first in the _In Service_ series was one of my favorite books last year.!
I don’t though know of any romances featuring two older women as the central characters in a romance and that seems to be a gap in need of redress in the romance world, especially since male/male fiction has become so popular. Where are the women?
I just finished At Your Service in preparation for reviewing book two :)
Wonderful, and thanks! Can’t wait to read the review!!
I was rather disappointed by the Austen Playbook. Great plot but the romance didn’t quite work for me. Pretty Face remains my favourite by far.
I DNF Meet Cute. The h irritated me from the start and thus never let up unfortunately.
“whispers” I’ve yet to love a Parker book.
Wait….there’s going to be an end St. Cyr??? Say it ain’t so!!!
I think I’ve read – at the author’s website – that book 15 will be the last, but I read that a while ago…
With her hilarious romcoms Artistic License (the funniest book I have ever read), Pretty Face and Act Like It, Lucy Parker is my favourite romance author. I am anxiously waiting for Austen Playbook while praying it is like her 3 great books, rather than the unfunny and not very good (DNF at 82% due to boredom) Making Up.
I loved That Austen Playbook – I agree that Making Up didn’t hit the heights of Act Like It or Pretty Face (my favourite), but LP is back on track with this one!
Do you know of any books apart from What Happens in London and Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn, that can match lucy Parker for humour?
@Lisa: Couldn’t agree more about Ashenden’s biker romances. Ashenden is one of my favorite writers (TAKING HIM & HAVING HER are D.I.K. for me), but I had to DNF those biker books she wrote for Dare—it was as if her heart wasn’t in them. Kings of Sydney books are much better. And I see that Ashenden is going to publish some Harlequin Presents in the next few months.
And i love me some steamy romances and am cool with biker romances, so I know how you feel! That series felt super rushed. Looking forward to my try-out of the Kings of Sydney series.
Lucy Parker’s romcoms Artistic License, Pretty Face and Act Like It, make her my favourite romance author. I am desperately hoping Austen Playbook is like those, rather than the not funny or good Making Up.
I’m looking forward to Jackie Ashenden’s KING’S RANSOM, the final installment of her Kings of Sydney series. The series is published by Harlequin’s Dare line, which I’ve had problems with in the past (for one thing, conflicts between hero & heroine are simultaneously overblown and yet too easily resolved), however, Kings of Sydney (and Caitlin Crews’s Hotel Temptation series) show that the Dare line might be shaking out some of its initial wrinkles.
Speaking of Caitlin Crews, she has a new Harlequin Presents coming out in April: THE SPANIARD’S BABY OF REVENGE. When it comes to HP, the title tells you everything you need to know. I enjoy category romances and have no problems with the repetitiveness of themes, tropes, and conventions. Plus, Crews (and her alternate pen name, Megan Crane) almost always brings her A-game.
Willow Winters’s A SINGLE KISS is the second book in a duet that started with A SINGLE GLANCE. The books are also connected to Winters’s very dark Merciless series. I don’t have a problem with dark/mafia/crime romances, but Winters can be an acquired taste because consent is often problematic.
I’m reading KR for the site! I’m hoping it’ll catch my eye more than her biker romances have.
I’m also a big of Ashenden and Crane/Crews and have enjoyed their recent Dare series.
King’s Ransom did not do it for me. I’ve yet to find a DARE book that is rich enough in its story building.
I was lucky to be to read an arc of Lucy Parker’s The Austen Playbook and though it was fabulous. It will almost certainly be one of my favorite books this year. I’m still debating if it’s my new favorite as I have so much fondness for Pretty Face. It’s a.close call I think that perhaps the hero here, Griff, is my favorite of all her heroes.
I will be reading Harris’s Who Slays the Wicked, though I’m still a few books behind. Like others, I love this series!
The final book in Penny Reid’s Physics series is out in mid-April. I’ve waited for the last of the trilogy so that I can read all three at once.
I hope the Madeline Hunter book pans out and look forward to reviews. It’s been a while since I’ve read any of her new releases, but I’m always hopeful because she used to be a favorite author of mine.
I liked Motion by Penny Reid but I loved Space, so I’m also looking forward to the resolution of Mona and Abram’s story in Time ! I think you’ll enjoy reading all three at once.
I’m with you on the Parker, Blackjack – Pretty Face and Luc are my favourites, but The Austen Playbook and Griff are running it a close second!
I’m pleased to report that the Hunter (which I actually finished reading today) is a big improvement on the previous book in that series.
JMO Space was better than Motion, but that’s a PO.
I liked Space better too!