Coming Soon… The Romances We’re Looking Forward to Reading in July 2019

With summer in full swing (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least), how many of us are looking at new release lists to see which books we want to take on holiday? AAR has some ideas for you – from the latest offering from the doyenne of historical romance, Mary Balogh, to rom-coms, fantasy, romantic suspense and historical fiction set in the glamorous surroundings of 1950s Monaco, there’s something here for everyone, regardless of whether you’re going on vacation or having a stay-cation. Drop by and let us know what YOU’RE looking forward to reading over the coming weeks!

Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean (30 Jul)

I love wrong-side-of-the-tracks heroes, so this sounds up my alley. – Caroline

I’m looking forward to book two of the Bareknuckle Bastards. Book one was good and left me wondering about the other two brothers.  –  Evelyn

Maclean knows what she’s doing when it comes to historicals, so this one’s an auto-buy for me! – Lisa

I’m super late to the Sarah MacLean party, but her Bareknuckle Bastards series has intrigued me since the first book came out last summer. The title of the second book in the series puts me in mind of a Beauty and the Beast retelling, so I’m eagerly anticipating picking it up. – Shannon

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

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (2 Jul)

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

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh (2 Jul)

Nobody else does quiet but emotionally complex romance quite like Mary Balogh.  I continue to enjoy her series focusing on a family dealing with the fallout of a bigamous marriage.  This story features Abigail, youngest daughter of that marriage and I’m looking forward to reading her story. – Caz

No one does angsty love stories like Mary Balogh.  The Westcott series continues with Abigail’s story. Abigail lost her social standing and confidence when her father was declared a bigamist. She’s been hiding in the shadows since, I’m looking forward to her finding happiness. –Evelyn

There’s nothing more joyful than a banterful Balogh on a hot summer day! – Lisa

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

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory (11 Jul)

Guillory rocked last year with two blockbuster contemporaries, The Wedding Date and The Proposal, so she’s already past the sophomore slump. Her first two were solid reads for me, so I’m looking forward to another strong performance. – Caroline

While Guillory’s first book didn’t work for me, her second got a lot of good reviews, so I’m looking forward to giving this one a try. – Keira

Guillory is a one-click buy for me, I’m super excited about this one. – Lisa

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

Meet Me In Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (23 Jul)

A novel set during Grace Kelly’s royal wedding? I am so looking forward to reading it. It’s a story of friendships spanning thirty years, second chances, the prestigious film festival of Cannes, the glitzy Côte d’Azur, and of course the perfect royal wedding in Monaco. – Keira

Historical fiction about Grace Kelly?  Here for it, especially if the author brings up Kelly’s kinda secretly scandalous past – Lisa

What could be better than a historical novel set in 1950s Monaco against the backdrop of movie star Grace Kelly’s wedding? I honestly can’t think there’s much that could top it. – Shannon

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

Raze by Roan Parrish (2 Jul)

Bar owner Huey appeared in the previous books in this series, and I’m eager to read his story. He’s spent the last ten years building his life around his sobriety and hasn’t been interested in finding love or companionship for himself; Felix is young, brought up his siblings single handed and struggles to make ends meet. What could strong, confident Huey possibly see in a guy like him? – Caz

Parrish is another go-to author for me, so this one has me thrilled! – Lisa

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

Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade (18 Jul)

Olivia Dade is turning into a one-click buy for me and fake dating is a fave trope of mine! – Lisa

Olivia Dade’s recent release Teach Me, a romance between two history teachers, is a delightful introduction to her new series set in the fictional town of Marysburg. She’s following that up with an opposites attract /fake relationship romance between two librarians and I can’t wait to read it! – Maria Rose

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

Spellbound by Allie Therin (25 Jul)

This debut m/m fantasy romance set in New York in 1925 sounds really intriguing! – Caz

Début author Allie Therin has an enchanting (literally) look at New York circa 1925 in the first novel of her Magic in Manhattan LGBTQ fantasy romance series! A destructive amulet, a reclusive psychic and a do or die task – sounds exciting! – Maria Rose

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

We’re also looking forward to…

Anne:

Queen of Ruin by Tracy Banghart (2 Jul)

Finally, I get to find out the fate of these two fiery sisters! Will they be able to overcome the repressive society that sent them to Mount Ruin? This is a YA dystopia duology that contained some great surprises.

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

Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia (author) and Gabriel Picolo (llustrator) (2 Jul)

There’s going to be a graphic novel about Raven as a teenager! Even better, she must cope with a tragic loss, missing memories, and “the darkness building inside her.” Not to mention unexpected powers. All that and a New Orleans setting with touches of the Gothic.

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

Under Currents by Nora Roberts (9 Jul)

I became interested in this one early on because fans online were annoyed that it sounded too dark. Give me a hero whose perfect small town childhood concealed something insidious, and I’m ready to root for him.

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

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen (30 Jul)

The heroine Fie belongs to the Crow caste – undertakers and mercy killers. When Crown Prince Jasimir fakes his death, Fie gets involved. But not in the way you think, because Jasimir is gay. Throw in Tavin, the crown prince’s bisexual bodyguard, a cat named Barf, a deadly plague, and worldbuilding that rises above YA fantasies… I’m ready to visit.

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

Alex S.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman (9 Jul)

The premise of this book is exactly the live story I always wanted to drop myself into. and it’s got the word bookish in the title! Where could you go wrong?

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

Caroline:

Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark by Cecilia Watson

Okay, so this isn’t a romance, but the grammar nerd in me eagerly awaits this nerderiffic and reputedly quite humorous history of punctuation, grammar guides, and rules English language.

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

Caz:

The Rake’s Enticing Proposal by Lara Temple

Lara Temple has become one of my favourite authors of historical romance over the past few years, so a new book from her will always make me sit up and take notice!

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

The Determined Lord Hadleigh by Virginia Heath

And we reach the final instalment of the King’s Elite series which, focuses on the wrap-up and aftermath of the apprehension of the traitor who was hunted so determinedly in the earlier books.  Virginia Heath is one of the best authors of historical romance around – and while not every book in this series has worked for me, she’s nonetheless someone whose books I always anticipate most eagerly.

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

Haley:

Crashing the A-List by Summer Heacock (9 Jul)

Heacock’s debut left me in stitches, and I’ve been waiting to see what she would do next. This book sounds so different than her previous novel, but if her sense of humor carries over I’ll be on board.

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

The One Who Stays by Toni Blake (30 Jul)

I’ve been a fan of Blake for years (my first ever AAR review was one of her books) and she’s back after a long break from writing I believe due to health reasons. I’m so happy to see her name out there again and to stat a new series with her.

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

Keira:

Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie (30 Jul)

A new Anne Gracie is a must-read for me. Combine Gracie’s fabulous writing with a longstanding marriage of convenience with a hero back from the dead and bent on revenge and you have the makings of a delicious story.

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

Lisa:

Pride and Dad Jokes by Penny Reid (29 Jul)

Penny Reid’s brand-new series! No info out about it yet, but the title sounds like fun – Lisa

(No purchase links available yet)

Lone Wolf Cowboy by Maisey Yates (30 Jul)

Yates’ reliable combination of fiesty heroines and grouchy heroes always makes for a great read! – Lisa

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

Maria Rose:

Home Field Advantage by Liz Lincoln (16 Jul)

I’ve been enjoying Liz Lincoln’s Milwaukee Dragons series (Swagger was one of my top ten books of 2018) and I’m looking forward to the third story in the series, a second chance romance for a sports reporter and the football player whose career she put on hold with an expose. – Maria Rose

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

All Hours by Andie J. Christopher

Latinx heroes get set up in this LGBTQ romance of stubborn hearts who discover working together in the kitchen can lead to more than just culinary delights. I’ve enjoyed previous books in the author’s One Night in South Beach series so I look forward to reading this one. – Maria Rose

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

Shannon:

Dragonfly by Leila Meacham (7 Jul)

I’ve never read a Leila Meacham book before, but this sprawling novel set during the second world war looks like the perfect introduction to her work. It’s the story of five Americans from different backgrounds who receive a mysterious letter asking if they are willing to fight for their country in an unorthodox manner. I can’t wait to read this!

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

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson (30 Jul)

Joshilyn Jackson is trying her hand at writing a psychological thriller, and I’m really eager to see how she does. I love her compelling stories set in the American south, so my expectations for this one are quite high.

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

The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis (30 Jul)

A new book from Fiona Davis is always something to celebrate, and this one looks especially appealing. It’s set in 1950s New York at the iconic Chelsea Hotel. I’m not sure if it will be a dual timeline novel like Ms. Davis’ previous releases, but I’m counting down the days until it comes out.

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

Home for Erring and Outcast Girls by Julie Kibler (30 Jul)

I love books about so-called ‘fallen girls’, so Home for Erring and Outcast Girls caught my eye right away. It’s the story of two women connected by a home for troubled girls, and it appears to span several decades. Plus, it’s based on true events, making it one of my most anticipated releases of 2019.

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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