Coming Soon – The Romances We’re Most Looking Forward to Reading in September 2020
September is traditionally the time of year when publishers start bringing out the Big Guns, the high-profile, highly-anticipated releases we’ve anxiously been waiting to get our hands on. Despite that this is a year like no other in many respects, there’s still plenty of wonderful reading material awaiting us as we head into the months of Autumn. Here is just a selection of the goodies in store for us over coming weeks:
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (1 Sep)
I’ve been curious about this once since I first saw the promotional blurb. Cole’s erotica and romance have been stellar, and I sense she’ll conquer mysteries with similar ease. – Lisa
I’m excited to see what the author does with her first mystery – Maggie
Alyssa Cole is releasing a thriller, and I couldn’t be more excited to get my hands on a copy. I’m sometimes a little skeptical of authors branching out in new directions, but if anyone can make it work, it’s got to be Ms. Cole! – Shannon
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore (1 Sep)
A dedicated suffragist’s ambitions of running her own publishing company are thwarted by the the most debauched lord in London… sounds like the set up for something delicious! – Caz
Evie Dunmore’s first historical was charming and funny, and I’m hoping her second book follows the pattern she’s established – Lisa
I’ve heard such fabulous things about Evie Dunmore’s writing, and the synopsis for A Rogue of One’s Own looks right up my alley. Needless to say, I’ll be scooping it up on release day. – Shannon
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
A Forbidden Liaison with Miss Grant by Marguerite Kaye (1 Sep)
Set against the backdrop of King George IV’s visit to Edinburgh in 1822, this first book in Marguerite Kaye’s new series focuses on a romance between a widower and a lady’s companion, both of whom are past the first blush of youth! Many of us are always on the lookout for romances featuring more mature heroes and heroines, and I’ll be reporting back on this one! – Caz
Kaye’s put out a lot of winners during her time with Harlequin, and her ideas are usually inventive and charming. I have an eye on this one! – Lisa
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Big City Neighbor by Jackie Lau (8 Sep)
Engineer heroine falls for the grump next door. Both of these things please me. – Caroline
Jackie Lau is one of my go-to, never disappoint authors. Can’t wait to read her next one! – Lisa
I’ve cheated and already read my advance copy of this delightful romance so I can assure you that it has the trademarks of her recent stories, including delicious foodie experiences and a sweet romance with two very likable characters! – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon
The Ippos King by Grace Draven (15 Sep)
Draven is one of my favorite fantasy authors, and I’ve been anticipating this latest book for quite a while. I loved how she handled the dynamic of two very different cultures in the first book in the series, Radiance, and I look forward to more of that in this story. – Alexandra
I adore this series and can’t wait to see how Draven handles the romance between Anhuset and Serovek – Maggie
Buy it at: Amazon
Common Goal by Rachel Reid (21 Sep)
While she’s yet to top the fabulous Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series has nonethless been entertaning. Book four, this story features a May/December romance between a grad student nursing a broken heart and a silver-fox veteran goalie trying to work out what comes after hockey. (TBH, she had me at “silver fox”). – Caz
Heated Rivalry is in my top five hockey romances of all time. Based on the strength of that novel alone, Rachel Reid is one of my auto-buy, drop everything else and read it first, favorite authors. I like the tropes in this one – May/December, friends with benefits – and the promise of cameos from Ilya and Shane. I’ve already cast an NHL goalie in the role of Eric Bennett (a top goalie nearing retirement), and love trying to guess who this author (and fellow hockey fan) really imagines in this role. This is my drop-everything September release. – Em
Reid’s m/m hockey romances are usually very hot and charming, so I’ll be trying this one.-Lisa.
I’ve had mixed feelings about this series but am willing to give it another go with this one – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey (22 Sep)
This is the third book in Tessa Bailey’s Hot and Hammered series. I loved the first and DNF’d the second, so who knows with this one, but I’m more than game to try. – Charlotte
Tessa Bailey is hit or miss for me, but her hits are such outstanding, sexy fun that I always give her a shot. Here’s hoping for another hit! – Caroline
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Well Played by Jen DeLuca (22 Sep)
According to the blurb, Well Played has one of my favorite tropes: the Cyrano plot, where the true author of love letters is concealed from the recipient. I’m excited to see it play out. – Caroline
The series’ first novel, Well Met, was wonderful – hoping the second matches up to DeLuca’s growing reputation! – Lisa
Well Met ended up on my top ten list of of 2019, and any book that does that ensures that the author will be on my radar for new stories! I’m really looking forward to reading the next in the series. – Maria Rose
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
The Same Breath by Gregory Ashe (25 Sep)
How on earth Gregory Ashe manages to publish so many amazing books every year is beyond me, but I’m not going to complain! This is the first in his new The Lamb and the Lion series featuring a wildlife vet and a con-man. That’s all I know, and all I need to know – *one-click!* – Caz
TBH I can’t see how I could possibly love a new Ashe couple any more than Hazard and Somers (reader: I can’t), but if Ashe writes it, I want to read it. Ditto on the one-click. And again, if you aren’t reading this author, you should remedy that right away! – Em
Buy it at: Amazon
We’re also looking forward to…
Alexandra:
Lies and Lullabies by Sarina Bowen (22 Sep)
I don’t know that I’ve ever met a book by Sarina Bowen that I didn’t like–which is saying something, since at this point I’ve read almost her entire backlist. This latest involves a rockstar, summer romance, and unplanned pregnancy, which should make for a good read!
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Caroline:
Fangs by Sarah Andersen (1 Sep)
I love the webcomic Sarah’s Scribbles. I didn’t know that the author had also produced a romance webcomic, now being released as a graphic novel called Fangs, about a vampire and a werewolf. I saw a page preview where the heroine is moving in with the hero and they’re lifting her coffin out of a U-Haul. Sold!
Buy it at: Amazon
Caz:
The Return of the Disappearing Duke by Lara Temple (1 Sep)
A man running from his life and his past and a woman seeking protection meet in the deserts of Egypt… i’m not sure how much of this one is set outside the UK, but I’m always up for a change of locale. Lara Temple is a reliably good author so I’ll be diving into this asap.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
See Her Die by Melinda Leigh (15 Sep)
Melinda Leigh is one of my go-to authors for romantic mysteries; this is book two in her latest series featuring city cop turned local sherriff, Bree Taggert. I enjoyed the first book, Cross Her Heart, earlier this year and am looking forward to following Bree as she solves another mystery, and to some developments into her relationship with former K-9 handler, Matt.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Crown of Darkness by Bec McMaster (15 Sep)
I’m a big fan of Bec McMaster’s and although she has yet to top her London Steampunk series, I did enjoy last year’s Promise of Darkness, a riff on the Persephone myth, and have been looking foward to reading more in the Dark Court Rising series. – Caz
Buy it at: Amazon
Murder at Queen’s Landing by Andrea Penrose (29 Sep)
I’ve really been enjoying this series of historical mysteries featuring logistical and scientifically-minded Earl of Wrexford and satirical cartoonist AJ Quill, aka Charlotte Sloane, and am looking forward to this latest instalment. The mysteries are always well put-together, and the simmering chemistry between the leads is beautifully done.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Em:
One by One by Ruth Ware (8 Sep)
My library is always encouraging me to read Ruth Ware, and so are my fellow reviewer friends on GoodReads! It’s time! In One by One, a corporate retreat becomes a game of survival when the group gets snowed in and cut-off in the French Alps. Creepy, atmospheric, and likened to Agatha Christie’s memorable And Then There Were None, it sounds like a great time to try a new-to-me writer.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
The Roommate by Rosie Danan (15 Sep)
Clara Wheaton is a slightly repressed east coast socialite. When a close friend convinces her to give up her comfortable life and move across the country to LA, she does it. Things take a turn after he pulls a bait and switch and leaves her in his apartment with a total stranger for a roommate. And then she finds out he’s famous! But that’s not the only surprise in store for Clara. Early reviewers are loving this debut from Rosie Danan, and I’m looking forward to it, too.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Return Billionaire to Sender by Annika Martin (29 Sep)
The Billionaires of Manhattan series is easy, breezy, and mostly fun. I liked the first three books in the series better than book four, and because of them, I’ll be back for this one too. Martin does a nice job balancing angst and drama with romance and laughs, and this series is reliably entertaining. Looking forward to Noelle’s (a shy mail carrier) story.
Buy it at: Amazon
LaVerne:
The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer (15 Sep)
I’m a librarian, so this is hitting all my buttons. Traveling librarian during the Great Depression faces culprit trying to sabotage a town’s library program. Can’t wait.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Lisa:
The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen (8 Sep)
A departure from Galen’s usual swashbucklers, this is a domestic dramady featuring two runaway couples and a lot of tension. One of the heroines is plus sized! It’s not my favorite Galen but well worth reading.
Buy it at: Amazon
All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne (29 Sep)
The second book in Byrne’s The Devil You Know series is, judging from the reviews on Goodreads, a return to Byrne’s signature dark romances and Byronic heroes.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Maria Rose:
Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne (1 Sep)
Though I’ve read and enjoyed several Lauren Layne romances, I’ve missed some of her recent books so I thought I’d dive back into her contemporary romances with Yours to Keep, a small town romance with a baseball hero.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Shannon:
Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin (1 Sep)
Blood and Honey is the follow-up to last year’s Serpent and Dove, a young adult fantasy romance featuring witches. This series has been on my TBR pile for quite some time, and I think the release of book two will serve as the perfect impotus for me to actually pick it up and give it a try.
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson (15 Sep)
Tiffany D. Jackson’s books are among some of my favorite young adult literature out there today. Her characters are incredibly relatable, and her plots keep me spellbound from start to finish. Grown is her fourth novel, and I pre-ordered it months ago. September 15th can’t come soon enough for my liking!
Buy it at: Amazon/Indiebound
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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I just finished reading my library’s e-book copy of The Sleeping Dictionary by Sujata Massey, a real page turner that takes place in the last days of India under British rule. Apparently, it was published 7 years ago, but I just found it in the library catalog. For anyone looking for a historical fiction novel following the trials and tribulations of a young woman in a turbulent time period- but with an HEA- I can’t recommend this novel enough. I’d give it a heat level of “subtle” as nothing is explicit. (Sorry I stink at reviews, but at least I don’t say *squeal* or *squee* on Amazon or Goodreads!)
I’m most looking forward to Common Goal by Rachel Reid and The Same Breath by Gregory Ashe.
We’ve met both the MCs of Common Goal earlier in the series and I’m interested in seeing how their story turns out. I’m also looking forward to cameos from Shane and Ilya – I could never get too much of Ilya! I would also love to meet Fabian again but don’t think that is very likely.
There was a sample of The Same Breath at the end of The Keeper of Bees which I thought looked good. One of the MCs appears to have a mad cat lady as a neighbour – I always relate to them!
Like AAR, I’m excited for A Rogue of One’s Own and The Roommate. As I was reading Bringing Down the Duke, I kept expecting to like it more than I did so I’m hoping Evie Dunmore’s sophomore effort is a better fit. I’ve heard great things about The Roommate too – it seems very sex positive which I’m 100% on board for.
I also preordered Jane Igharo’s debut, Ties That Tether.
I’m on the fence about Jayci Lee’s Secret Crush Seduction. Although I didn’t love the first in the series, the cover is AMAZING.
The Dunmore is pretty good, although – as with the first one – I had some reservations that kept it from DIK territory. Keep an eye out for my review next week!
Yay, I love your reviews! Can’t wait.
Jackie Lau’s Ice Cream Lover was ok, but I don’t think she handled the first person present POV all that well. There was a lot of telling, not showing. Chloe Liese did a better job with 1st person present POV in Always Only You. I enjoyed Jen DeLuca’s Well Met, and since I like the Renaissance Faire theme, will probably give Well Played a try.
Some romantic suspense contemporaries have worked better for me, and I’ll definitely read the new Bree Taggart book by Melinda Leigh. Right now I’m working through the Rogue River novella series she writes with Kendra Scott. And I’m going to have to try Gregory Ashe in one form or another after all I’ve read about his books lately! You have me convinced, Caz!
Thee are several others mentioned here that I’ve added to my watch list, so thank you all very much!
Kendra ELLIOT, not Scott. I’m not even a fan of the jewelry!
Heh. I liked the Elliot (review to come) although it’s more suspense than romantic suspense. I really liked the first Bree Taggart book and am looking forward to reading (and reviewing) the next one.
Greg’s books are SO worth it – I’m really looking foward to this new series, and he has another series starting in October as well! I’d strongly advise doing the Hazard and Somerset in print (rather than audio – I’ve reviewed at few at AG). If you want to try a shorter series, his Borealis Investigations series is – so far – only three books, although more are on the way.
EVERYONE on earth should be reading Ashe. :)
I would disagree with Caz on your start point though. I liked, but didn’t love, the Borealis books & I think you have to be fond of the author to fully enjoy the eccentricities of it’s 2 leads. But that’s me!
I tried to do Hazard and Somerset in audio but I was too impatient & wasn’t super crazy about the narrator. I’d definitely recommend reading them!
Another friend of mine did the Borealis books first (in audio) and really liked them – she hasn’t had time to get stuck into H&S test, and 11 books can be quite daunting. But with more new series starting soon (there’s another in October) there’s plenty of opportunity to start something at the beginning
I enjoyed the Borealis books but much prefer the Hazard and Somerset books. I find H and S’s back stories and personal eccentricities much more compelling than Shaw and North’s.
I loved the cameo appearance Shaw and North made when they visited H and S’s house and Shaw was giving it a Feng Shui assessment – John-Henry’s reaction was priceless!
A Forbidden Liaison with Miss Grant is one I look forward to. I love the cover, BTW, with that tiny, tiny bit of white on the hero’s temple. Older couples are so lovely so I hope this one delivers.
I just finished it so watch this space! And not only is it a more mature couple (forties) neither H nor h is titled, which is always a refreshing change in HR.
I saw this title on Harlequin and had the same reaction as you, Elaine and Caz. I agree that it’s really refreshing when romance authors shake things up a bit by including older and/or non-titled characters.
Righty-ho!! Downloading now.
I have quite a few books on my September list, but because several of them have been postponed from previous dates, I’m trying not to get my hopes up:
Of course, a new month brings new releases from my favorite Harlequin Presents and Dare authors. Clare Connelly’s HARDEN MY HART (from Dare) is the next in her series about the Hart siblings. The previous book in the series was really dull, so I’m hoping Connelly gets back on track with this one. Meanwhile, Jackie Ashenden has a new HP, THE MOST POWERFUL OF KINGS, obviously a royal romance. The hero here is the brother of the hero in her previous HP, PROMOTED TO HIS PRINCESS, which I liked very much, so I’m hoping she continues her streak.
September 15 is going to drain my book budget if all of these books do make their publication date: Skye Warren’s GOLDMINE, the second of a three-book series that started with DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH; J. Kenner’s MY FALLEN SAINT, the start of a new trilogy (and pricey for an ebook, $6.99–that may have to go to the “wait for a sale” list); Ainsley Booth’s much-postponed FILTHY LIAR, the fifth and final of her Forbidden Bodyguards series; and Natasha Knight’s UNHOLY INTENT—the first book of the duet, UNHOLY UNION, is out this week, but I prefer to wait and read both books together.
Rachel Reid’s COMMON GOAL, her next m/m hockey romance, is scheduled for September 21. One of the heroes is apparently a retired player and the book appears to include the age-gap trope.
At the end of the month, Annika Martin concludes her Billionaires of Manhattan series with the fifth and final installment, RETURN BILLIONAIRE TO SENDER. We saw a little of the book’s h&h as background characters in the previous book, THE BILLIONAIRE’S FAKE FIANCÉE. The heroine is a mail carrier—which seems very timely right now.
Also at the end of the month comes CD Reiss’s CROWNE RULES, the next in her series about the Crowne family. In this one, the family’s black sheep son is staying in a house in Tuscany when a family friend, fleeing scandal, lands on his doorstep. Based on its description, this one appears to involve a D/s relationship.
THE REID IS AMAZING.
Em, what are your five top hockey that were ! mentioned above? I am curious. I loved Heated Rivalry, but would not have picked it without a recommendation.
Obviously I’m not Em here, but I’d recommend all of Rachel Reid’s books and also books by Taylor Fitzpatrick—especially THROWN OFF THE ICE (although it’s not an HFN or HEA).
I’ve read that and wasn’t thinking of it as a romance, but you are so right. That is a fantastic book. For those put off by the not a HEA ending, try it. It’s really good.