Coming Soon – The Romances We’re Looking Forward to Reading in August 2019
How’s your summer reading shaping up? If you’re looking for something new to read, AAR staffers have combed through the lists of new releases to find the books we think are the best bets for the coming weeks. As usual, we’ve got a fairly eclectic mix of genres – contemporary romances, women’s fiction, mysteries, historicals – and books by authors both tried and tested and new to us, so hopefully, there’s something for everyone! Have a look through our choices and let us know what you think in the comments – and don’t forget to tell us which books you’re most looking forward to reading in August.
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (6 Aug)
Note: This title was included on our July list, but the release date was changed after the post ran.
Alisha Rai’s books are my go-to rereads on rainy days and my must-have-immediately upon release. Any new book of hers should have us romance readers pumped. – Alex S.
Who isn’t looking forward to this book? I adored Rai’s last series and have recommended them over and over, so I can’t wait to see what she does with the spin off. – Haley
A new Alisha Rai is always cause for cheer. – Keira
I love the premise of this new romance by Alisha Rai! A tech guru and a football player – sounds like a mismatch but in the author’s capable hands it’s sure to be a fun and sexy read. – Maria Rose
It’s Alisha Rai, you know she’s gonna knock it out of the park! – Lisa
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Man vs. Durien by Jackie Lau
It’s about time durian became a force for good in this world. – Caroline
I love Lau’s writing and storytelling style, and I will read anything she writes. She’s scared of relationships; he’s her fake boyfriend to appease her family. She’s an ex-software engineer; he’s a landscaper posing a doctor. What could possibly go wrong or so very right? – Keira
A delicious-sounding (literally) and funny premise highlights this new Lau novel. – Lisa
Jackie Lau certainly picks interesting titles and plots for her romances! After her recent pie and ice cream themed stories, I’m intrigued to see what she has in store for fans (or non-fans) of durian though I’m sure the result will be very entertaining. – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (27 Aug)
I’ve loved Andrew’s Hidden Legacy series and am super excited for this newest installment about Catalina, a magical Siren who can make just about anyone do anything she wants. Except Alessandro, whose resistance to her magic makes him one of the only people she truly trusts.- Alex A.
This is the first full-length book about Catalina in the Hidden Legacy series and I CANNOT WAIT. Ilona Andrews has become one of my favorite authors as I devoured her/their backlist this past year, and all signs point to this being another great entry for my DIK shelf. – Maggie
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne (27 Aug)
Kerrigan Byrne opens her brand-new series with the story of a woman who’s being blackmailed by someone from her scandelous past and a Duke who’s using their proto-marriage as revenge. It’s Byrne and she does dark and light mashed together beautifully. – Lisa
Kerrigan Byrne’s darkly sensual historical romances are always a pleasure to read, and this is the first in a new series. What more can I say? – Shannon
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare (13 Aug)
I am animal-obsessed Lady Penelope and she is me! I have beenwanting this book since we met Penelope in The Duchess Deal and I can’t wait to see what our animal lover has in store for her actual lover. – Haley
Tessa Dare always brings something fun to the table. I love Penelope and can’t wait to meet the man she loves – Lisa
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Dalliances and Devotions by Felicia Grossman (26 Aug)
This is the followup to Grossman’s Appetites and Vices. I love that Carina is taking a chance on American historicals and Jewish representation with Grossman’s books, so I’m looking forward to David and Amalia’s story. – Haley
Grossman has become one of my go-to new favvorite historical writers, so I’m thrilled to see what she does with Amalia and David’s romance. – Lisa
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Duchess in His Bed by Lorraine Heath (20 Aug)
I’m always excited about a brand new Lorraine Heath book. – Heather
The fourth in Heath’s Sins for All Seasons series about the Trewlove family, finally gives us Aiden’s story. Sign me up! – Lisa
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Playing House by Ruby Lang (12 Aug)
When a romance blurb reminds you of Lesie and Ben’s storied tangle from Parks and Recreation, you know you’re in for a treat! Lang writes great contemps, and I’m looking forward to this one! – Lisa
Ruby Lang starts off her new Uptown series with a delightful fake relationship romance between two city planners whose shared interests soon turn to each other. Sounds like a fun romantic comedy premise! – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian (6 Aug)
A thief who cannot keep her hands to herself and a staid companion who cannot keep her eyes to herself–what a delicious premise. Cat Sebastian’s writing really works for me, and I cannot wait for this f/f novella. – Keira
I can’t tell you how hard I’m digging the prospect of this f/f historical, and Sebastian’s story sounds delightful. – Lisa
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
We’re also looking forward to…
Anne:
Remember Me by Chelsea Bobulski (6 Aug)
Imagine being a teenaged girl and being cursed with horrific visions and writing that appears on walls. Could it get any worse for Nell Martin? Of course it could! Because this is a YA suspense novel with a supernatural twist. Nell moves to a hotel built in 1878, and soon starts learning about a terrifying murder that took place there in 1907. What could her connection be to the murder of another girl?
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause (6 Aug)
This YA historical fantasy is set in a fictionalized version of nineteenth century Europe. Heroine Emmaline Watkins lives in a sleepy rural town called Shy in Avon-upon-Kynt. Unfortunately, who is going to see her fabulous dress designs in Shy? But then a fashion house allows country girls to enter in a design competition. Emmy has a chance to compete — and must face obstacles, backstabbing, sabotage, and corruption. But will the cost to her be too high?
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Perfect Son by Lauren North (13 Aug)
Could this be Gaslight for the 21st century? Shortly after her husband dies in an accident, and after her son’s birthday, Tess Clarke wakes up in a hospital. She knows she has been attacked. She is sure her eight-year-old son is missing. And she is certain she knows who is responsible, but off course, no one will listen to her…
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Caz:
Mainly by Moonlight by Josh Lanyon (1 Aug)
A new romantic mystery series with a paranormal twist from Josh Lanyon? Gotta be worth a look! – Caz
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Triangulation by Gregory Ashe
Following the devastating and traumatic events that took place at the end of Orientation, the relationship between long-time friends and business partners North McKinney and Shaw Aldritch has undergone a fundamental shift that neither of them – North, in particular – is willing to face. I’m completely hooked on this new series from Gregory Ashe, and this second book promises to be every bit as good as the first. Twisty mystery plus angsty romance – I’m SO here for it! – Caz
Buy it at: Amazon
Keira:
Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen (13 Aug)
This is my most anticipated book this month. She is haunted by an assault in her college days. He’s a cowboy hired to train foals and decides to give her cooking lessons along the way. Theirs is a tenuous relationship dogged by racism and the ravages of Hurricane Katrina.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Handle With Care by Helena Hunting (27 Aug)
A media powerhouse rules this book. He’s the reluctant bad-boy CEO; she’s been hired to burnish his image, and there’re scandal and shenanigans galore. I enjoy books about families and tensions between them, and this book has them in spades.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Lisa:
Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano (20 Aug)
I’m kind of cheating with this one since I reviewed it for the site, but this one is a keeper. Plucked from obsurity, rag picker Raina is plunged into a truly unpredictable mystery when a Countess’ solicitor asks her to pose as the woman while she recovers from a trip abroad.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Maria Rose:
The Mysterious Stranger by Ainslie Paton (27 Aug)
I’m always going to make room in my reading schedule for a contemporary romance by Ainslie Paton! The third story in her Confidence Game series which features Robin Hood-esque heroes of the current times has a couple infiltrating a doomsday cult to take it down from the inside. I’m intrigued!
Buy it at: Amazon
Shannon:
Discretion by Karina Halle (6 Aug)
I’m always up for a book about the scandalous lives of rich people, and I’m always ready to read something new by Karina Halle, so Discretion will be an auto-buy for me.
Buy it at: Amazon
Outfox by Sandra Brown (6 Aug)
Summer simply wouldn’t be complete without one of Sandra Brown’s juicy novels of romantic suspense, so Outfox is definitely on my list of things to snap up in August.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood (20 Aug)
I fell hard for Bryn Greenwood’s writing in 2017 when I was fortunate enough to read All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, a compulsively readable contemporary romance with extremely flawed characters. There’s something so compelling about her prose, something that allows me to sink into the world she’s created, even if the story itself isn’t something I’m sure I’ll enjoy. So, as you might imagine, I’ve been on pins and needles for a new book from her, and I’m so glad this one is almost here!
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
All the Forgivenesses by Elizabeth Hardinger (27 Aug)
This debut novel set deep in Appalachia around the turn of the twentieth century piqued my interest as soon as I read the synopsis. It’s historical fiction featuring a strong, resourceful heroine who brings her family through some extremely difficult times, and I’m really excited to lose myself in its pages.
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.
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A lot to look forward to reading, especially SAPPHIRE FLAMES.
I am looking forward to Kristen Ashley’s, Quiet Man: A Dream Man Novella (Lottie’s Story from Rock Chick Rescue, 8/13). I’m also excited for the Tessa Dare book. There are some authors I’ve never heard of before listed here that I’ll watch for. Thanks.
Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series has long been on my tbr list and I’m finally planning to start it this summer. I’ve read some early great reviews of Sapphire Flames and if all goes well with the first three books, I will read that one as well.
Mariana Zapata has said that her new release will be out by late summer, therefore I’m hoping August is the month for it.
I will interested to read reviews here of Ruby Lang’s Playing House. Early reviews on GRs have been pretty mixed and so even though I’m considering it, I would want to read reviews enthusiastically endorsing it first.
With A Week to be Wicked proudly situated as my second favourite romance, The Wallflower Wager is the big one of the month for me.
After the Nevada and Rogan parts of the novella were SO MUCH BETTER than the rest of it, I just can’t get excited for Sapphire Flames.
I have a number of auto-buys waiting for me in August. It almost makes going back to work (I work in the public school system, classes start August 9) worth it! Molly O’Keefe’s ONE LAST CHANCE, Jackie Ashenden’s HP, CLAIMING HIS ONE-NIGHT CHILD, and Willow Winters’s A KISS TO KEEP all drop August 1. Then on August 6, Skye Warren’s SONATA (the third and final book in a trilogy about a violin prodigy who falls in love with her guardian) is released. August 7 brings me Jackie Ashenden’s BLACK SHEEP BOUNTY HUNTER, the final book of her six-book Texas Bounty series and the one about the couple whose story I’ve been waiting to read since 2017 (Ashenden published three books, then back-burnered the series for two years). I just discovered another of my favorites, Julie Kriss (criminally-underrated) has a new book, FILTHY RICH, scheduled for August 13. Finally, I’m back with Willow Winters on August 20 for HARD TO LOVE. I’ll need to get back to work—just to replenish my book-buying budget.
Clearly AAR needs to check out Julie Kriss. Thanks for the nudge.
I strongly recommend Kriss’s Riggs Brothers series, especially TAKE ME DOWN.
Wow – you go back to school on the 9th August? Here in the UK, we’ve only just finished for the summer! But our six weeks will fly by soon enough…
The school year ends the last week of May. Our school system is on the semester system and if school doesn’t start by early August, the semester doesn’t end before the Christmas break. Students would come back from Christmas holidays and then go right into final exams…which they’d undoubtedly bomb because who spends the Christmas holidays studying? By starting the school year early, finals occur before Christmas and the new semester starts the first day school reopens in January.