Oh my goodness, 2021 is right around the corner! I am in denial about this. Wasn't it just March, and we were learning about this pandemic? Weren't my kids and I just figuring out distance learning? Wasn't I kicking off my blog, and then promptly setting it to the side because of my kids school schedules? No? Well, okay then. Regardless, somehow 2020 flew by, and I think the majority of us are okay with that.
So with 2020 almost behind us, let's talk about some new books that are releasing in January! The plan is to kick off 2021 with some (hopefully) amazing reads. I have 8 books that I am anticipating, and if you know me at all, you already know they are romance related.
Starting off the month, we have Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green. Now full disclosure, I downloaded this book for free through the Amazon First Reads program. It was my December 2020 pick, and no I haven't read it yet. But I'm going to, as it sounds really cute. It is screaming rom-com at me, and the blurb I've read is giving me major You've Got Mail vibes. And again, if you know me at all, you know that You've Got Mail is one of my absolute favorite movies. Seriously, top 5. Here's a little bit of the blurb for Confessions of a Curious Bookseller.
Without question, Fawn Birchill knows that her used bookstore is the heart of West Philadelphia, a cornerstone of culture for a community that, for the past twenty years, has found the quirkiness absolutely charming. When an amicable young indie bookseller invades her block, Fawn is convinced that his cushy couches, impressive selection, coffee bar, and knowledgeable staff are a neighborhood blight. Misguided yet blindly resilient, Fawn readies for battle.
So tell me, are you going to read it?
There are two releases today, well two that I'm aware of at least, and I want to read them both. Like as soon as possible.
I have found rock bottom. It’s here, moving in with my older brother because I’m too broke to afford to live on my own. It’s okay though, because we’ve always been close and I think I’m going to have fun living with him again.
That is until I meet Cooper…
Turns out, my brother has very strong opinions on the idea of me dating his best friend and is dead set against it. According to him, Cooper is everything I should stay away from: flirtatious, adventurous, non-committal, and freaking hot. (I added that last part because I feel like you need the whole picture.) My brother is right—I should stay away from Cooper James and his pretty blue eyes. He’s the opposite of what I need right now.
Bring it on Sarah Adams, bring it on. I cannot wait to dive in. Also, I'm curious as to how many books are in this series? (and I am guessing it is a standalone series where each book will follow a different character.)
The Strike Out by Meghan Quinn also releases this day! Now full disclosure, I know very little about this book, and I cannot find it on Amazon yet. I do know the author said it will be available on Kindle, so I'll just have to be patient. Based on the title, I'm thinking it is going to follow the love life of a baseball player. And well, we know how I feel about sports romance. It's also sounding quite steamy. So there's that. Here's the blurb that I read on Goodreads:
It started with one night out with the boys.
She was the hot diner waitress putting herself through school.
I was the rich, arrogant player everyone misjudges.
On paper we didn’t match.
Yet all it took was one day. One single day to change her mind.
She wasn’t planning to spend her day off with me.
She wasn’t supposed to fall for my charm.
But one day, one smile, turned into several nights of her calling out my name.
I’m not the guy she should end up with. I’m jealous, possessive. Not here for a long time - just a good time.
She’s changed me.
But, for some reason, I feel her slipping through my fingers and no matter what I do, I fear I’m going to strike out with the one and only girl I’ve ever fallen for.
I will be reading this book. I will be! It will also be my first Meghan Quinn book. So I'm curious to see if she ends up becoming a go to author for me. Have you read any of her other books? If you have, which do you recommend I read?
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK SINCE SEPTEMBER! My jaw dropped, after finishing Only One Kiss, when I learned that Manning's book was the third in the series. I darn near cried. The way Manning has been included in the first two Only One books, has made me want to know so much more about him. Now I finally get that opportunity. On January 5 I will be busy reading devouring Only One Night by Natasha Madison.
Only One Night is the third book in the Only One hockey series, and this time we get to know the Captain. So we know from previous books that Manning is married, and that his wife comes across as a horrible person. He's miserable. I'm curious to see what we learn about his marriage, and how that plays out. There's a love interest for Manning. How will things work out with Manning and Evelyn?
Who is ready for a YA rom com? I know I am! You Have a Match by Emma Lord sounds like a cute story. Imagine being a teenager and finding out that you have an older sister! Not only that, but that older sister is an influencer on Instagram.
When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it's mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie...although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.
But she didn't know she's a younger sister.
When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it's hard to believe they're from the same planet, never mind the same parents ― especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.
The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby's parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp's co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.
I preordered the Happily Ever After boxed set back in August after Piper Rayne announced they had a book included in it. I don't think I've read books by any of the other authors, but that's okay. I'm going to give it a go, and maybe just maybe I'll find a new to me author. What's this boxed set about? No clue, but I do know we get 21 stories, and they all have a HEA. That right there makes me smile.
These heroes and heroines are lost without each other ... but obstacles stand in their way.
Inside the pages of this steamy, limited edition boxed set created for you by your favorite romance authors, you’ll find sexy, funny, heartwarming, and red hot romance reads, where characters navigate their love through all the twists, turns, and ups and downs required to reach a happily ever after.
Which passionate romance will be your favorite? The enemies turned to trusted lovers or the rock stars who know exactly what they want? Best friends who wish they could be more, forbidden love, or second chance at forever?
No matter what you love - enemies to lovers, second chance romance, a forbidden tale, vacation fling, opposites attract, comedy, or contemporary romance - every story in this limited edition boxed will deliver the satisfying end you crave.
Are you a fan of the enemies to lovers trope? How about just enjoying a good ole rom com? If so, Shipped by Angie Hockman could be the perfect read for you! Plus a cruise in the middle of January sounds wonderful. A perfect escape, especially for those of us who live in a cold, snowy climate.
Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating. But when she’s shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams, all her sacrifices finally seem worth it.
The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Although they’ve never met in person, their epic email battles are the stuff of office legend.
Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos—best proposal wins the promotion. There’s just one catch: they have to go on a company cruise to the Galápagos Islands...together. But when the two meet on the ship, Henley is shocked to discover that the real Graeme is nothing like she imagined. As they explore the Islands together, she soon finds the line between loathing and liking thinner than a postcard.
With her career dreams in her sights and a growing attraction to the competition, Henley begins questioning her life choices. Because what’s the point of working all the time if you never actually live?
Last, but certainly not least is Connectivity 2.0 by Aven Ellis. Aven is an author that I found in late 2019 (thanks BookBub!), and I've been hooked ever since. Every book she's released, I've read and loved. If you love rom-coms and happily ever afters, then please check out her books! Aven has been teasing the book in her FB group, and every single time I am begging for more. I'm a bit greedy like that.
Connectivity 2.0 returns us to London, and of course we will get to visit with MK and William. But we also will be meeting Lauren and Oliver. I can't wait to see how their story plays out. Is it January 27 yet? Also, I can't wait to see what the cover is going to look like! I look forward to Aven doing a sneak peak for that in the group. Onto the blurb for 2.0
Recent college graduate Lauren Charleston heads to London for a prestigious media graduate internship that is part of a well-laid plan for career success.
Falling for a playboy billionaire with the nickname of Icky Ollie? Not part of said plan.
Tech developer Oliver Pratt makes tabloid headlines for his wild ways, seen with a myriad of women—including a princess. He’s exactly the type of man Lauren detests—especially in light of her past with men.
But Lauren might find exactly what she needs in Oliver if she can see beyond the surface—and face her own past, too. Will these two opposites find a certain connectivity, as their career mentors did? Or will this romance short-circuit before it begins?
So out of these 8 books I've shared, which one do you think you'll check out? Will you read it in January? Or will it just be added to your TBR? Three I already have pre-ordered, so I don't need to worry about those. 😉 For the others, I think I'll be checking my local library to see if they'll have copies available. Did I miss any must read romances? If so, let me know!
Happy Reading!
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