This week's pick is:
Look What You Made Me Do
Series: None
Author: Amy Andrews
Published September 5th 2024 by Boldwood Books

Goodreads Synopsis
A disgraced football star, a high school in need of saving and a reunion too hot to handle

Headteacher Ella Lucas and football star Jake Prince have a very complicated history! Their mind-blowing encounter two years ago is proving impossible to forget now Jake is back, in her small town after being kicked out of the NFL.

She knew he was trouble then, but Ella has enough on her plate without having to worry about Jake Prince. Her school’s on the brink of closure, and she needs help. Then it dawns on her that maybe they can benefit each other - in more ways than one! Ella will help Jake to restore his disgraced reputation, if he can coach the football team to a winning streak. With nothing to lose, Jake reluctantly agrees....

As the school season heats up so does the inevitable chemistry between them. Far from being stuck in the past, the sparks between them are still there. And although he may look like her next mistake, Ella is determined that she will keep her hands off Mr Anti-hero even though she has an itch longing to be scratched. Because Ella's has one golden rule: this is strictly business, they are never ever getting back together....
Goodreads

Why I'm waiting:

• Such a good book, I simply couldn't put it down!

Are you waiting for this book? Have you already read it? Let me know :)

Look What You Made Me Do
Series: None
Author: Amy Andrews
Published September 5th 2024 by Boldwood Books

Goodreads Synopsis
A disgraced football star, a high school in need of saving and a reunion too hot to handle

Headteacher Ella Lucas and football star Jake Prince have a very complicated history! Their mind-blowing encounter two years ago is proving impossible to forget now Jake is back, in her small town after being kicked out of the NFL.

She knew he was trouble then, but Ella has enough on her plate without having to worry about Jake Prince. Her school’s on the brink of closure, and she needs help. Then it dawns on her that maybe they can benefit each other - in more ways than one! Ella will help Jake to restore his disgraced reputation, if he can coach the football team to a winning streak. With nothing to lose, Jake reluctantly agrees....

As the school season heats up so does the inevitable chemistry between them. Far from being stuck in the past, the sparks between them are still there. And although he may look like her next mistake, Ella is determined that she will keep her hands off Mr Anti-hero even though she has an itch longing to be scratched. Because Ella's has one golden rule: this is strictly business, they are never ever getting back together....
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

High school headteacher Ella Lucas is having a bad year. Her school is at risk of being closed by the district, she's raising her 15 year old brother, Cameron, who blames her for his crappy childhood, and she needs help. Living in the shadow of her mother's past, she faces scorn from every turn, especially in a town where everyone is in everyone else's business. So when NFL star Jake Prince returns home with a reputation just as bad, Ella decides he could be the hero she needs, and if they can form a winning football team for the school, then it can't be closed. But they forgot to factor in their feelings, especially after the night they spent together two years ago.

Well, this book was phenomenal! I read it on my last day on holiday this summer, in one sitting - I just couldn't put it down. Ella and Jake had a hot and steamy night two years ago, but never discussed it since. Ella is now trying to reclaim her reputation, and is doing everything she can for her brother, and her school, but it's hard. Jake might be her only hope, and though he's against the coaching to begin with, he recognises himself in a lot of the boys, and wants to help them achieve their best, like the help he had from his own coach.

The chemistry between the pair was some of the most intense I've ever read. They were perfect for each other, but had their individual flaws, which were explored in the plot. There was a fight between them that I hated - miscommunication which could've been solved by a simple conversation - but the way they made up and became stronger for it was definitely worth it. I also loved that Jake fell first, and he fell hard! Such a great book, I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from Amy in the future!

Dates Read:
August 9, 2024

Rating
5 Stars

This week's pick is:
Wild Eyes
Series: Rose Hill #2
Author: Elsie Silver
Published September 3rd 2024 by Bloom Books

Goodreads Synopsis
A rugged mountain town seemed like the perfect escape from a life in shambles. But on day one I ran full tilt into the world’s hottest single dad and now all my plans are ruined.

As a chart-topping country singer with a recent streak of bad press it’s hard to find any peace. But I find it in Rose Hill. With a little boy and a little girl who steal my heart just as thoroughly as their dad.

Weston Belmont.

The man is a shameless flirt. He oozes confidence and masculinity in a way that’s downright distracting. And in bed? He’s addictive.

Everything with him is wild and impulsive and I’m desperate to regain some control.

But no one has supported me like West does. And no one has ever made me feel as loved as he does either.

So, while my brain says settling down with a small-town horse trainer is impossible… my heart says I’m right where I belong.

Still, my life as a celebrity haunts me. It has the power to pull us apart.

I can see in his eyes that wants me to stay. And I want that too.

But I know better than anyone that we don’t always get what we want.
Goodreads

Why I'm waiting:

• I can't wait to get my hand on another of Elsie's books!

Are you waiting for this book? Have you already read it? Let me know :)

Once Upon a Boyband
Series: None
Author: Jenny Proctor
September 1st 2024 by Jenny Proctor Creative
Once upon a time, she slept with his poster beside her bed. Now he's all grown up, hiding behind a burly beard and lots of flannel ... and she doesn't have a clue.
Eight years ago, Adam Driscoll walked away from his stage name—Deke—and the boyband that turned him into an international star before his eighteenth birthday.
And he never looked back.
It didn’t even matter that everyone blamed him for the band’s breakup. He might miss making music, but he had good reasons for walking. Give him solitude over thousands of screaming fans any day of the week.
These days, the only company he’s truly interested in is that of the vet who works closely with his dog rescue—Dr. Laney Lawson. She’s brilliant, funny, beautiful, and best of all, she has no idea he used to be a pop star.
But then Adam’s bandmates reach out about a one-time reunion concert benefiting a charity that’s close to his heart, and he starts to wonder if some things are worth a little extra attention. He loves the idea of singing again, but saying yes would out him to the small mountain community that has become his refuge. Worse, it would out him to Laney.
But old hurts can’t stay buried forever. And something tells Adam that scary or not, saying yes is the decision he needs to make. He just has to hope he doesn’t lose the life—or the woman—he loves in the process.
Once Upon a Boyband is a sweet romantic comedy with all the crackling chemistry and sizzling kisses you want in a closed-door romcom. Perfect for fans of romantic comedy with a little less heat.
Goodreads
Out of Focus
Series: Love in LA #3
Author: Cristina Santos
September 2nd 2024
Can two people, brought together by chance and mutual need, overcome their differences and find a love that defies the odds?
Rafael and Charlie are two souls destined to collide. He is a vibrant Brazilian CEO with a deep seated desire to find love. She is a British redhead navigating life in finance while trying to prepare for a potentially monotonous relationship. The pair couldn't be more different. Or so they think.
Their meet-disaster cements them as frenemies, yet their intertwined circles force constant interactions, sparking tension and unspoken attraction.
When Charlie finds herself in LA grappling with her struggles with intimacy, she reluctantly turns to Rafael. In return, Rafael, desperate to complete a sentimental family project, seeks Charlie's meticulous assistance. As they work together, their barriers begin to crumble, finding themselves in unexpectedly intimate situations, their connection deepening with every shared moment.
Through heartfelt conversations and tender experiences, Charlie discovers that life with Rafael might hold the joy and fulfillment she never knew she was missing.
"Out of Focus" is a touching story of two individuals learning to embrace their differences, finding love and acceptance in the most unexpected places.
Goodreads
Guava and Grudges
Series: None
Author: Alexis Castellanos
September 3rd 2024 by Bloomsbury
Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of becoming a world-famous pastry chef, but dreams have a cost. Her family can barely keep the family business running, let alone pay for culinary school. Ana Maria helps out at the family bakery, Café Y Mas, whenever she can, but they are struggling while the rival Cuban bakery across the street, Morales Bakery, is doing better than ever with their Instagram famous desserts. Ana Maria's only hope is winning a recipe competition, which has a grand prize big enough to pay for culinary school. But then the ultimate distraction shows up in her small town: Miguel, a boy she spent one magical day with six months ago, and who she never thought she'd see again. Ana Maria thinks maybe fate has brought them together again for a reason-- until she learns the horrible truth that Miguel is a Morales.
A Ybarra cannot be associated with a Morales-let alone fall for one. But when Miguel offers to help Ana Maria with the competition, she is so desperate to win she can't turn him down. All she needs to do is keep Miguel at arm's length and keep their deal a secret from their families. After all, teaming up with Miguel is just business, nothing more…right?
Goodreads
Hot Hex Boyfriend
Series: None
Author: Carly Bloom
September 3rd 2024 by Forever
Delia Merriweather does not believe in magic. But she does believe in family, and her family happens to identify as witches. Their lack of magic doesn’t dampen this heartfelt belief, because according to lore and legend, they’re hexed. Convenient? Yes. True? Probably not.
Thanks to a weird birthmark, the eccentric circle of Merriweather women believe that Delia is their blue witch. In other words, she’s supposedly the person capable of restoring magic to the Coven Merriweather. However, A) magic isn’t real and B) the spell is truly horrific and illegal in all fifty states. Who’s going to boil a baby, for crying out loud? So, they’re all completely blown away when Delia accidentally breaks the hex (sans baby-boiling obviously). Chaos and mayhem ensue, drawing the attention of the invisible witching world. And that includes the sexy, brooding, and excessively irritable Max Halifax who has recently moved in next door to settle his uncle’s estate.
Just when Max thinks he’s done with his endless tour of duty—keeping an eye on the bumbling Merriweather women—he discovers Delia Merriweather has somehow broken the hex placed by his great-great grandfather. He worries that beneath the Merriweathers’ seemingly harmless antics, lies the very real possibility that this gaggle of clueless witches will somehow stumble into their power and, like their ancestors, threaten to rule the witching world by controlling the hearts of men. Maybe it’s even starting already. Because Max’s heart beats erratically whenever Delia Merriweather is around.
Goodreads
You Belong with Me
Series: Edie Thompson #2
Author: Mhairi McFarlane
September 3rd 2024 by Avon
International bestseller Mhairi McFarlane delivers a charming, hilarious, and heartfelt new novel about a woman adjusting to life in the spotlight when she begins a relationship with a famous actor, in this highly anticipated follow-up to Who's That Girl.
She found The One. But when everyone wants him, can she keep him?
Edie found true love. And on Christmas day, he’s knocking at her door.
Elliot Owen is handsome, charming and basically Hollywood royalty. And, he insists, madly in love with Edie an ordinary citizen with tomato soup stains on her coat. It’s going to be complicated. Edie will have to learn how to live in the limelight, but they’re just too good together not to try.
Edie discovers it’s not easy when the press is the third person in your relationship, or when stories start leaking that force you to mistrust the motives of those around you. It’s tricky when you’re separated by an ocean and gorgeous co-stars and charismatic new colleagues are closer by. It’s harder still when your past is raked up by envious people determined to destroy your present.
Edie already knows how it feels to be infamous, now she’s going to find out what it’s like to be famous.
Are she and Elliot a fairytale, or a cautionary fable about getting what you wish for?
Goodreads
Played
Series: None
Author: Naima Simone
September 3rd 2024 by Montlake
USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone heats up the page with intensity and wit in this romance between a pro hockey player and a firefighter, both struggling to move on from the past.
Being a firefighter isn’t easy. Especially for a Black woman. Working with family helps a little. But when somebody from your company doesn’t come back from a call, it’s brutal—as in, “How’m I supposed to go on?” brutal.
And one death took me to a really dark place.
A year later, I’m at the Pirates’ hockey training facility. Just another day on the job. Until I find a charred journal. I look inside for the owner’s name, but the words on the page punch me in the gut. It’s like reading my own thoughts. Reliving my own pain.
The journal belongs to Solomon Young, left-winger for the Pirates—a father and widower. When I return it, I’m racked with guilt for the invasion of privacy. The look Solomon gives me is cold as ice.
But damn if that man isn’t hot as hell.
Now he’s stuck in my brain. And fate seems intent on making us face off.
Goodreads
Prime Time Romance
Series: None
Author: Kate Robb
September 3rd 2024 by Dial Press Trade Paperback
Is love on the small screen better than the real thing?
Brynn’s happy ending has gone up in flames. She’s newly divorced and living with a roommate – Josh – to afford her mortgage. At least she’s got Carson’s Cove to binge - her beloved 90s teenage soap.
So when a birthday cake shows up on her and Josh’s doorstep, Brynn makes a wish for her own happily-ever-after.
The next morning, she doesn't wake up in her apartment. She's in Carson's Cove... and Josh is there too. Except they're not Brynn and Josh; they're the sweetheart and the bad boy.
Will they stick to the script, or will real love change the story forever?
A young divorcee finds herself in the ideal world of her favourite 90s nostalgia TV show, in this second-chance romantic comedy from the author of This Spells Love.
Goodreads
Wild Eyes
Series: Rose Hill #2
Author: Elsie Silver
September 3rd 2024 by Bloom Books
A rugged mountain town seemed like the perfect escape from a life in shambles. But on day one I ran full tilt into the world’s hottest single dad and now all my plans are ruined.
As a chart-topping country singer with a recent streak of bad press it’s hard to find any peace. But I find it in Rose Hill. With a little boy and a little girl who steal my heart just as thoroughly as their dad.
Weston Belmont.
The man is a shameless flirt. He oozes confidence and masculinity in a way that’s downright distracting. And in bed? He’s addictive.
Everything with him is wild and impulsive and I’m desperate to regain some control.
But no one has supported me like West does. And no one has ever made me feel as loved as he does either.
So, while my brain says settling down with a small-town horse trainer is impossible… my heart says I’m right where I belong.
Still, my life as a celebrity haunts me. It has the power to pull us apart.
I can see in his eyes that wants me to stay. And I want that too.
But I know better than anyone that we don’t always get what we want.
Goodreads
Tackling Love Once More
Series: None
Author: Jezabel Nightingale
September 3rd 2024
Paige Larson came to Australia from New York for a job that ends in disaster when a shock jock broadcasts to the world what he really thinks of her curves. Helped by a friend, she ends up in footy mad Bayview Cove, home of the Bayview Monarchs Aussie Rules team. Paige knows what she doesn’t want, kids or life on a farm, but is not sure what direction her life should take.
If someone told Willo Lovemore the toughest thing he’d face in life was a teenage pregnancy, he’d tell them to hold his beer. He’s buried his wife and is trying to raise three kids, all whilst remaining on top of his game as an elite Aussie Rules footballer. He’s had his chance with love, and no one can convince him his wife would want him to move on.
A chance meeting between the two sees The Yank and The Tank podcast born. Paige learns that a sausage roll is a goal, and holding the ball is not as dirty as it sounds. Willo finds someone who makes him smile again and learns more about taking chances. Both learn about letting go of the past. And what better way for Willo to practice his off-field moves than with someone who’s only here for a year before heading back to the States.
Will Paige hold the man? Will Willo execute an incorrect disposal? What exactly are the rules of the game?
Goodreads
This Is Not a Holiday Romance
Series: None
Author: Camilla Isley
September 4th 2024 by Boldwood Books
Two sworn enemies, snowed in over Christmas with chemistry that will melt the ice!
Nina Thompson has one Christmas wish: to avoid her brother’s obnoxiously handsome best friend, Tristan, like the plague. From the moment he humiliated her as a teenager to their escalating revenge schemes, Nina and Tristan’s relationship can only be defined as an all-out prank war! And there is yet to be a winner.
But it just so happens the ghost of Christmas present has other ideas. When Tristan unexpectedly crashes her family’s Christmas, Nina’s dreams of a peaceful holiday vanish faster than Santa up a chimney. Determined to end their rivalry for good, she braces herself for one last prank-filled showdown.
But when they find themselves snowed in, with no way of avoiding each other amongst the holiday festivities, they discover their heated exchanges have been masking a different kind of sizzle. Caught in a snow globe of holiday romance, they decide to let their fiery chemistry burn bright—but this is absolutely and unequivocally nothing more than a secret fling destined to melt with the snow, this is not a forever romance…
This Is Not a Holiday Romance is an enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, forced proximity rom-com perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Abby Jimenez, and Lynn Painter.
Goodreads
The Book Swap
Series: None
Author: Tessa Bickers
September 5th 2024 by Hodder & Stoughton
Two book lovers. Two broken hearts. One fresh chapter?
A REASON TO LIVE.
Still grieving the death of her best friend, Erin knows she needs to start living - but has no idea how.
Then she loses her favourite book, a heavily annotated copy of To Kill A Mockingbird containing her friend's last gift.
A REASON TO LOVE.
When James finds Erin's note-filled book in his local community bookshelf, it sparks a life-changing conversation. He writes his own message for her to find, inviting her to meet him in the margins of Great Expectations . As the book exchange continues, they both begin to open up . . . and perhaps fall in love.
A REASON TO FORGIVE?
But Erin and James have a shared history that neither of them has guessed. How will Erin react when she discovers that the other writer isn't a stranger at all - but the person she swore she'd never forgive?
Funny, heartwarming and romantic, THE BOOK SWAP is story of second chances and new beginnings. It is also a heartfelt love letter to books and the power of reading.
Goodreads
Look What You Made Me Do
Series: None
Author: Amy Andrews
September 5th 2024 by Boldwood Books
A disgraced football star, a high school in need of saving and a reunion too hot to handle
Headteacher Ella Lucas and football star Jake Prince have a very complicated history! Their mind-blowing encounter two years ago is proving impossible to forget now Jake is back, in her small town after being kicked out of the NFL.
She knew he was trouble then, but Ella has enough on her plate without having to worry about Jake Prince. Her school’s on the brink of closure, and she needs help. Then it dawns on her that maybe they can benefit each other - in more ways than one! Ella will help Jake to restore his disgraced reputation, if he can coach the football team to a winning streak. With nothing to lose, Jake reluctantly agrees....
As the school season heats up so does the inevitable chemistry between them. Far from being stuck in the past, the sparks between them are still there. And although he may look like her next mistake, Ella is determined that she will keep her hands off Mr Anti-hero even though she has an itch longing to be scratched. Because Ella's has one golden rule: this is strictly business, they are never ever getting back together....
Goodreads
Wrecked
Series: Dirty Air #3
Author: Lauren Asher
September 10th 2024 by Bloom Books
Jax
Pills. Alcohol. Adrenaline.
I'm addicted to destructive decisions that numb my pain.
Until one night when I make a catastrophic mistake.
To repair my broken reputation, my team hires Elena--
An overpaid babysitter set on ruining my plans.
She's my damnation disguised as my salvation.
And my newest addiction.
Elena
I begged the universe to save me from my financial disaster.
It answered my call with a Formula 1 team desperate for a PR miracle.
One season. One job. One broody British racer.
Except that Jax turns our hotel room into a battleground.
To beat the enemy, I need to find his weaknesses.
What I learn threatens to ruin everything.
Him. Me. Us.
Love is a warzone, and neither one of us plans to surrender.
Goodreads
The Royals Upstairs
Series: None
Author: Karina Halle
September 10th 2024 by Berkley
He’s the royal bodyguard. She’s the royal nanny. The annoyingly hot attraction that simmers between them—that’s a royal pain.
James Hunter has made a tactical error. His new role as protection officer to Prince Magnus of Norway was supposed to be an exciting change. Instead he’s marooned on a royal estate in the middle of nowhere charged with chasing after demon children and dodging the machinations of meddling staff. And the crowning jewel in this little drama—the children’s nanny is none other than Laila Bruset. The woman whose heart he broke. The woman who still holds his.
When Laila took the job as a nanny for the Norwegian royal children in order to be closer to her ailing grandmother in Oslo, the last thing she expected was to have her life turned upside down—again. But as much as James gets on her nerves, he's also getting under her skin, and the tension between them sizzles just as devastatingly as before.
As undeniable sparks turn James and Laila’s battle royal into a more serious game of hearts, nanny and bodyguard will have to decide just how much they’re willing to risk for a second chance at love.
Goodreads
Vilest Things
Series: Flesh and False Gods #2
Author: Chloe Gong
September 10th 2024 by Hodder & Stoughton
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the thrilling sequel to Immortal Longings, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra.
Calla Tuoleimi has succeeded in the impossible. Despite the odds, she has won San-Er’s bloody games and eliminated King Kasa, her tyrant uncle and the former ruler of Talin. She serves now as royal advisor to Kasa’s adopted son, August Shenzhi, who has risen to the throne.
Only Calla knows it isn’t really August.
Anton Makusa is still furious about Calla’s betrayal in the final round of the games. In an impossible feat, he took over August’s body to survive, and has no intention of giving up this newfound power. But when his first love, the beautiful, explosive Otta Avia, awakens from a years-long coma and reveals a secret that threatens the monarchy’s authority over Talin, chaos erupts. As tensions come to a boiling point, Calla and Anton must set their conflicts aside and head to the kingdom’s far reaches to prevent anarchy… even if their empire might be better off burning.
Goodreads
Casket Case
Series: None
Author: Lauren Evans
September 10th 2024 by Dell
In this warm-hearted debut rom-com, a young woman returns home to run her family's casket business and falls in love with a seemingly perfect stranger. But there's just one problem . . . he works for Death.
Nora thought she was finished with Rabbittown, Alabama, for good. But an unexpected tragedy turned her life upside down, and she's found herself back in her tiny hometown running the family casket business.
There aren't exactly a lot of prospects for a single woman in her thirties in a place like Rabbittown. Until Nora Clanton's ordinary, casket-selling day is interrupted by a handsome stranger wandering into her shop and asking for directions--as well as a date.
Garrett Bishop seems like the ideal guy. He's thoughtful, he's kind, and he has a lucrative job as a logistics coordinator, for which he seems to have a passion. She's not totally sure what "logistics" entails, but she knows it means long hours, lots of travel, and urgent calls in the middle of the night.
When a few of Rabbittown's residents suddenly pass away--a heart attack here, a car crash there--and Garrett is spotted at the scenes of, well, all of the deaths, his frustratingly vague job description starts to become increasingly . . . suspicious. What is it that Garrett actually does for a living?
He's a logistics coordinator for Death.
When Nora discovers the truth, she is unable to reconcile the wonderful man she knows with the unthinkably cruel job he loves. Will she ever be able to understand how he can do what he does, or will she have to lay her best chance at love to rest?
Casket Case is the heartfelt story of a small-town girl who feels surrounded by death--literally and figuratively. This clever, endearing, and romantic debut explores how love and loss are forever intertwined . . . but death might not be as scary as it seems.
Goodreads
Fast & Reckless
Series: None
Author: Amanda Weaver
September 10th 2024 by Zando – Slowburn
Race into a sexy New Adult romance, set in the fast-paced world of Formula One. These friends-to-lovers are about to fall . . . fast and reckless.
He’s the one man she can’t have . . .
Mira Wentworth knows Will Hawley is trouble. Even if he revs her engine, flirting with the handsome new driver on her father’s Formula One team is not in the cards. Mira has sworn off on-track romance after a mistake as a teen cost her everything. Now she has a chance to win back her spot in F1 as a team assistant, and she's not going to let one cheeky, bad boy driver get in her way.
She’s the one woman he wants . . .
After his party boy antics nearly blew up his racing career, Will is finally back in the driver’s seat and determined to get onto the podium. He likes to think he’s reformed, but with one look at the boss’ daughter, he’s willing to risk it all.
As the heat builds between Mira and Will, their chemistry deepens into something more. But when the ugly events of the past come to call, their fragile new relationship is put to the test. Can Mira and Will’s love cross the finish line?
Goodreads
Stay
Series: WAGs #2
Author: Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen
September 17th 2024 by Bloom Books
From New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy and USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen comes the second in the spin-off series of their wildly successful HIM and US books. Hailey Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch—an anonymous virtual assistant service—is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson...the man she's had a crush on forever.
Can you fall in love with someone you've never even met?
Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch—an anonymous virtual assistant service—is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson.
Although it's against the rules for her to check his file, she's 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting... until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.
Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He's still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth—that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won't show her pretty face.
But it's nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can't fix. Hailey can't resist the offer. Matt can't resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn't have to. Fire up the kiss cam!
Goodreads
Can't Help Falling in Love
Series: None
Author: Sophie Sullivan
September 17th 2024 by St. Martin's Griffin
A struggling waitress and the heir to a major Seattle company stumble into a high-profile fake engagement while simultaneously trying to keep up with their own love lives in this flirty fall rom-com!
Lexi Danby is looking for some no-strings, fall fun. Once a college track star, she was forced to drop out when her father passed away. Now she’s trying to make ends meet while putting herself through school and caring for her grieving mother. When her comically bad waitressing lands her directly in the path of a handsome, charming stranger named Will, Lexi may just have found the distraction she’s been looking for. Their first date looks promising until a misunderstanding at a party thrusts Lexi and Will into a fake engagement they can’t talk themselves out of. And Will turns out to be a member of Seattle royalty.
Will Grand is heir to a major company, and Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. But he’s been placed in charge of an important merger with a company that values family above all else, and needs to show them that he’s settled down. While a fake engagement is advantageous from a business standpoint, it’s not so great for a budding relationship with a woman who’s wary of commitment. With a woman who Will is beginning to care about much more than he could have anticipated.
As Lexi gets a taste of Will’s glamorous world and the pair keeps up the pretense of their fake engagement for the press, they decide to see where a more casual relationship takes them out of the spotlight. And amid apple picking in comfy flannels, outdoor breweries in the crisp air, and fun Halloween preparations, Lexi starts to realize the scariest part of the season might just be taking a chance on love.
Goodreads
Perfectly Wicked
Series: None
Author: Lindsay Lovise
September 17th 2024 by Alcove Press
Charmed meets Ghost Hunters in this magically wicked paranormal romance, perfect for fans of Not the Witch You Wed and The Ex Hex.
Holly Celeste and her sisters make the best apple cider in Maine—courtesy of a magical secret ingredient—but even that hasn’t been enough to keep their orchard afloat. To save the family business, Holly accepts a proposal to let a ghost hunting series film an episode on her farm. Connor Grimm may be the sexy and down-to-earth TV host the nation loves, but to Holly he represents her greatest fear: exposure. Holly doesn’t mind if Connor chases down a silly ghost story—it’s their other secret she’s terrified he’ll reveal.
Connor Grimm’s life goal is to normalize the paranormal, which he does on his show, Grimm Reality. Except he isn’t only looking for a ghost at Wicked Good Apples. There have been rumors of rain during droughts and other inexplicable happenings that could only be attributed to something supernatural, and Connor plans to expose it on an episode that will take his show’s success to another level.
Intent on keeping Connor in the dark, Holly joins him as he interviews eyewitnesses, hunts for old records, and unearths a story even she didn’t know existed. Despite her resolution to dislike him, she begins to fall for the only man who’s ever made her feel like strange could be normal. Too bad a relationship with Connor could only be temporary; he moves to a new state every month, and there’s no room in his life for a woman with a pet hedgehog, a houseful of nosy aunts and sisters, and a failing apple orchard.
When Connor finally pieces together Holly’s greatest secret, he’s forced to choose between revealing his biggest paranormal discovery yet and propelling his show to the top of the charts, and giving it all up for the wicked woman who’s charmed his heart.
Goodreads
Magic in the Air
Series: None
Author: Adrianna Schuh
September 17th 2024 by Rising Action Publishing Collective
Olivia Ayala has mastered the art of blending the perfect ingredients to create magical confections in her small-town bakery in Addersfield, Rhode Island—a sanctuary for witches since 1697. As a fiercely independent single mom and a powerful witch, Olivia has crafted a life of sweet serenity for herself and her son, navigating the challenges of cerebral palsy with strength and grace. But beneath the surface of her contented life, a whisper of loneliness lingers.
Enter Draven James: charming, annoyingly handsome, and mysteriously capable of finding a town hidden from the outside world. His arrival stirs the air and Olivia's heart, igniting a spark she hadn't realized was missing. Draven's easy smile and unsettling secrets weave a new spell around her life, tempting Olivia with the prospect of a love as wild and unpredictable as magic itself.
But not all is as it seems. As Olivia falls deeper under Draven's enchanting allure, questions arise. What secrets does Draven hide behind his charismatic façade? And could his mysterious past threaten the safety of their haven and the future Olivia dreams of?
MAGIC IN THE AIR invites you to lose yourself in the quaint streets of Addersfield, where magic mingles with the everyday and love blossoms in the most unexpected places. Featuring a cast of characters as enchanting as the spells they weave, this spicy romcom celebrates the magic of love, the power of community, and the strength of a woman who stands firmly in her own power.
Goodreads
Rewitched
Series: None
Author: Lucy Jane Wood
September 17th 2024 by Ace
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either.
Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.
But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .
With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for.
Goodreads
The Christmas You Found Me
Series: Heart of the Wilderness #1
Author: Sarah Morgenthaler
September 24th 2024 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Sarah Morgenthaler is back with a heart-mending contemporary romance featuring a single dad you'll fall for; a satisfying slow burn love affair; found family you'll root for; small town holiday magic; and all the quirky animals and snowy rustic scenes your heart desires.
Sienna Naples's family has taken care of their wild Idaho land for generations and Sienna can't imagine any other life. But at Christmastime, with her parents gone and her painful marriage finally over, it's full of memories...and incredibly lonely. Until a tall, handsome stranger and a little girl walk into her life and suddenly the holidays are alive again.
When single father Guy Maple shows up as the result of an ad meant to be a joke, the handsome Montana construction worker isn't joking. Money is tight this Christmas, and Guy's four-year-old daughter Emma has stage-five chronic kidney disease. She needs a kidney transplant, but if Guy can't prove that he can afford Emma's anti-rejection medications, his daughter isn't going to stay on the transplant list. Guy's willing to do anything, including marrying a stranger, to keep her safe. It's an impulsive marriage of convenience, and Sienna knows this isn't real, no matter how much she adores Emma, how well Guy fits in to the ranching life—or how much light and laughter is coming into their lives as a result. But the more time she spends with her new family, the more she fears losing the fragile, feisty little girl and the kind, devoted, hard-working, incredibly attractive man who is her husband—but is it only in name?
Goodreads
The Slowest Burn
Series: None
Author: Sarah Chamberlain
September 24th 2024 by St. Martin's Griffin
Love could be a recipe for disaster, or the best thing they ever cooked up...
Kieran O'Neill should be on top of the world. He's just won a cooking reality TV show, he's on track to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty, and he's even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can't impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he's ever met. But to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...
Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a thirty-year-old widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won't adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she's ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O'Neill. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book...
As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?
The ultimate will-they-won't-they, enemies-to-lovers romance that readers everywhere are falling in love with!
Goodreads
The Duke's Christmas Bride
Series: Drop Dead Dukes #3
Author: Anna Bradley
September 24th 2024 by Zebra
Against the Bridgerton-era backdrop of Regency London, Anna Bradley’s witty and sexy trilogy sets fiercely alpha dukes against the duchesses who are determined to transform their delinquent husbands by any means necessary. A delight for fans of Mary Jo Putney, Sabrina Jeffries, Ella Quinn, Diana Quincy and Julia Quinn.
For one determined duke, there’s nothing like coming home for Christmas—even if it means kicking open the door—and finding the key to his own long closed heart on the other side . . .
Alarmed by the sound of an intruder, Rose St. Claire fetches her pistol. She’s shocked to discover that the trespasser is a handsome gentleman—one who states that the house, which Rose recently inherited from her late benefactor, was stolen from his father decades ago. He claims it is now his. And it is—but not entirely. As it turns out, Hammond Court has been left to them both—and neither can evict the other without forfeiting their right to the property . . .
Wealthy and ruthless, Maxwell Burke, Duke of Grantham, has spent years regaining the many properties his father lost to bad wagers. Only Hammond Court remains. But Rose has no intention of leaving. In fact, as Christmas draws near, circumstances force Max to plan a holiday party, and Rose is all too happy to help. Max despises such merriment—until he sees it as an opportunity . . .
Max will forgive the debt of another young duke’s family if the attractive gentleman woos Rose at the party, ultimately marries her—and returns her share of the estate to Max. It’s foolproof. Except that Rose’s spirited joy is seductive, recalling within Max long ago feelings of happiness—and awakening a deep attraction. Has Max cooked his own Christmas goose—or is there a chance love will prevail? . . .
Goodreads
Kiss Me at Christmas
Series: None
Author: Jenny Bayliss
September 24th 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
White Christmas meets Nora Ephron in Jenny Bayliss’s latest wholehearted, ensemble-cast holiday extravaganza.
Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.
But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.
Directing the play with him won't exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.
Goodreads
All I Want Is You
Series: None
Author: Falon Ballard
September 24th 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Bitter exes. Professional rivals. Just one bed.
What could go wrong?
Jessica Carrington always wanted her own happily ever after. But, until that happens, she spends her days as a small-time romance writer, penning satisfying Happily Ever Afters to soothe the heartache left by her ex-boyfriend Nick Matthews, a fellow romance writer and now her biggest rival, who has found success writing love stories without happy endings. It's clearly what he's good at, after all . . .
So, when their professional obligations find them snowed in - and forced to share a room! - at the same remote inn a few days before Christmas, Jess and Nick are both fuming. But what's more fitting for two romantic writers in a slump? And when they realise the friction between them might be the only cure for their writer's block, they decide to turn their frustration into fiction . . . and the pages start flying.
Jess can't shake the feeling that Nick is the last guy on earth she should be falling for (again), but, as they both finally get back in their flow, is he actually all she wants for Christmas?
Goodreads
The Worst Duke in London
Series: Taming of the Dukes #3
Author: Amalie Howard
September 24th 2024 by Forever
Bridgerton meets 10 Things I Hate About You in this spicy enemies-to-lovers Regency romance from a "must-read author" (Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to people and has no interest in marriage­--much to the dismay of her flirty younger sister, Viola. Because their father has one rule: Viola may be courted, only if Effie has a suitor as well.
Saddled with debt, Gage Croft, Duke of Vale, is determined to rebuild his estates. When the owner of his vowels offers him a fortune to charm the impervious Lady Evangeline for the season so Lady Viola can be courted, the game is on, even if it means pretending to seduce an unconventional wallflower.
But Gage gets much more than he bargains for in an adversary who wants to make her own scandalous arrangement. Effie will go to London for the season, but only if Gage agrees to be her lover. Yet when their fake courtship leads to passionate feelings, will their indecent proposal end with the season or be the start of something real?
Goodreads
Meet Me in a Mile
Series: None
Author: Elizabeth Hrib
September 24th 2024 by Afterglow Books by Harlequin
Ready. Set. Go!
Lydia McKenzie is not a runner. Not even close. But in her quest to be taken seriously at work – and catch the eye of her office crush – she signs up for the New York City Marathon as part of her architectural firm’s outreach program. Now she just needs to avoid making a fool of herself.
Personal trainer Luke Townsend is definitely a runner, and he’s exactly what Lydia needs to get in shape. But nothing can prepare them for when their training time intensifies from hitting the pavement to hitting the sheets.
Suddenly, everything Lydia thought she wanted feels less clear. And when her project proposal suddenly hangs in the balance, and her office crush offers some awfully tempting one-on-one help, she’ll have to decide which direction her heart wants to run…
Goodreads

What has caught your eye for September? Have you read any of these? Let me know :)