The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Enemies to lovers fans, this one’s for you. This irresistible romance has been on many a romance reader TBR’s since it was first announced. And if you’re dying to get swept up in a slow-burn about an assassin and healer forced to work together, this needs to be on your must-buy list this Bookstore Romance Day And if you enjoy this and want to buy it, you might consider donating to Not A Phase.
Synopsis: When Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, falls ill, he realizes he needs the expertise of a very specific healer. As fate would have it, that healer belongs to an enemy faction, the Haelan Order.
Aurienne Fairhrim and her fellow Haelan are inundated by sick children suffering from an outbreak of a long-forgotten Pox. Unable to get the funding needed to launch an immunization program, the Haelan Order is desperate for money – so desperate that when Osric breaks into their headquarters to bribe Aurienne to heal him, she is forced to accept.
As Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness but the mysterious reoccurrence of the Pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction which only fuels the tension between them.
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
Even though romance bookstore day is in August and the fall is quickly approaching, there’s a last grasp of summer to enjoy. Swept Away is the perfect Bookstore Romance Day pick if you need to hold onto the warmer weather for a little longer.
Synopsis: What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?
Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter.
Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.
With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.
Available now via Penguin Random House. Order here.
Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Married writing duo Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka have turned to rival colleagues in this fun workplace bookish romance. If you ever thought about what the perfect book boyfriend might be like in real life, this might be a terrific option for you to enjoy this Bookstore Romance Day.
Synopsis: Jennifer Worth lives to escape into the world of her favorite romantasy series Elytheum Courts, where the romance is sweeping and the men are brave, chivalrous . . . and winged. Newly single and craving connection, she travels to an immersive fan experience celebrating all things Elytheum, only to see the last face she expected—Scott Daniels, her work nemesis, whose disinterest in Jennifer’s favorite series and standoffishness have made their publishing jobs feel like a feuding fae court.
Except the Scott she encounters at the Elytheum Experience, in his secondhand cosplay outfit, is . . . different. Swaggering, flirtatious, confident. Unlucky in romance himself and inspired by Jennifer’s love for the swoon worthy men of Elytheum, Scott is determined to remake himself into the perfect book boyfriend.
Jennifer has no interest in helping the man who vexes her every workday and dismisses her fictional fantasies, but as the immersive convention activities force them together, they’re surprised to discover magic like none Jennifer has ever read about. But is enemies-to-lovers romance only for books, or can Jennifer and Scott bring the trope to life?
Available now via Penguin Random House. Order here.
Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
A bit of fake marriage, dark academia abounds in this series debut by beloved romantasy author, Elise Kova. If you love your romantic fantasy with twists and turns, make sure to check this one out.
Synopsis: Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards—a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.
Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape—for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.
In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.
Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world—and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?
How To Court A Rake by Bronwyn Scott
I don’t know where category romances have been all my life but I credit Fated Mates Podcast for piquing my interest. If you love a short, punchy romance that you can read in an afternoon, you need to make sure category romances are on your radar this Bookstore Romance Day. If you love historical romance, don’t hesitate to pick up How To Court A Rake.
Synopsis: Sparks fly when the wallflower…
waltzes with the rake!
When the Crown awards spy Caine Parkhurst the title of marquess, it’s with the outrageous stipulation he marries within the year! Caine’s catapulted into London’s ballrooms in search of a bride, but the last thing the rakish bachelor is looking for is love…
Once a diamond, Lady Mary is now in danger of becoming a wallflower—or, worse, being married off to a man of her father’s choosing! To escape the relentless matchmaking, she agrees to a fake courtship with the new marquess. Yet his touch leaves her longing to court this rake…for real!
Available now via Harlequin. Order here.
The Undercutting of Adam and Rosie by Megan Bannen
Megan Bannan is an instant buy author for many romance readers because of her quirky loveable characters and even quirkier world. The Undercutting of Adam and Rosie promises to be as cozy, warm and amazing as her first two books, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and The Undermining of Frank and Twyla.
Synopsis: Immortal demigod Rosie Fox has been patrolling Tanria for decades, but lately, the job has been losing its luster. When Rosie dies (again) by electrocution (again) after poking around inside a portal choked with shadowy thorns, she feels stuck in the rut that is her unending life.The portal’s uptight creator, Adam Lee, must come in person to repair the damage. But when all the portals break down at once, Rosie and Adam wind up trapped inside the Mist. And the reticent inventor in his bespoke menswear seems to know a lot more about what’s happening than he lets on.
Maybe two people who have found themselves stuck in this thorny, tangled life together can find a way to unstick each other … just when their time on this earth seems to be running out.
Available now via Orbit. Order here.
If Not For My Baby by Kate Golden
If rockstar romances are your thing, this new release by Kate Golden is for you. Add a bit of opposites attract to this melodious romance and I think you can’t go wrong picking it up this Bookstore Romance Day.
Synopsis: Clementine Clark isn’t looking for love. Growing up with a single mom who weeps over a new guy each week tends to have that effect on a girl. But Clementine doesn’t mind being the rational one—she’s even buried her musical dreams so deeply within herself that she hardly notices the hole it’s left in her life.
That is until her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: to join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay is enough to change her and her mom’s life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd.
But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine’s skin. The two couldn’t see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?
Available now via Berkley. Order here.
Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier
You had me at pirates. Seriously. If pirates similarly propel a book into your must-read pile, than this magical novel should find it’s way into your shopping cart this Bookstore Romance Day.
Synopsis: Every legend has a beginning.
Saoirse yearns to be powerless. Cursed from childhood with a volatile magic, she’s managed to imprison it within, living under constant terror that one day it will break free. And it does, changing everything.
Horrified at her loss of control, Saoirse’s parents offer her hand to the cold and ruthless Stone King. Knowing she’ll never survive such a cruel man, Saoirse realizes there is only one path forward…she must break her curse.
On the eve of her wedding, Saoirse seeks out the legendary Wolf of the Wild—Faolan, a feral, silver-tongued pirate. He swears to help rid her of the deadly magic if she’ll use it to locate a lost mythical isle. Crafted by the slaughtered gods, it’s the only land that could absorb her power.
But Saoirse knows better than to trust a pirate’s word. With the wrath of her disgraced father and scorned betrothed chasing them, Saoirse adds one last condition to protect herself: if Faolan wants her on his ship, he’ll have to marry her first.
Available now via Ace. Order here.
Love Is A War Song by Danica Nava
Danica Nava’s romantic comedy has so much about it to recommend for readers who love a trope filled romance. It’s got grumpy/sunshine, fish out of water, celebrity and normal person, forced proximity. If any of those are your favorite tropes, get this book on Bookstore Romance Day.
Synopsis: Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake.
With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.
Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.
It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a deal: Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?
Available now via Berkley. Order here.
Bonus Rec: Another rom-com but this one has bite. I Accidentally Hooked Up With A Vampire is a hilarious and sexy vampire romance by Jessica Cage.
How To Sell A Romance by Alexa Martin
If you were glued to the screen watching LulaRich, you might want to check out this Alexa Martin rom-com this Bookstore Romance Day. Funny, spicy and interesting, you might be willing to take down a multi-level-marketing scheme next too!
Synopsis: Emerson Pierce loves everything about being a kindergarten teacher except the painfully low salary. It isn’t until she hears about Petunia Lemon—an opportunity to sell makeup products, make some extra money, and meet a group of skin-care aficionados—that she begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, it sounds a little too good to be true, but what’s the worst that could happen?
Investigative reporter Lucas Miller didn’t always have a chip on his shoulder…until his wife joined Petunia Lemon, drained their savings, and filed for divorce. Now he’s a little bitter, a lot single, and determined to expose the company. After infiltrating their largest convention yet, the last thing he expects is to lose sight of his mission for one night with the gorgeous woman at the bar.
When Emerson and Lucas learn that she’s his daughter’s teacher, they decide to ignore their scorching chemistry. Until things with Petunia Lemon turn downright diabolical and Emerson turns to Lucas for help. They work together to bring the company down but can the two come out on top in this pyramid scheme of love?
Available now via Berkley. Order here.
Cosmic Love At The Multiverse Salon by Annie Mare
A star-crossed romance about two women who live on worlds and months apart. This swoon-worthy sapphic romance is as fun as it sounds and definitely a good choice for this Bookstore Romance Day.
Synopsis: Tressa Fay Robeson has never been shy, which is how she’s made a name for herself as an in-demand hairstylist and social media star. So she can admit that spending her days at her hair salon and her nights with her tight-knit group of friends (and one grumpy cat) is not the kind of exciting life she’d hoped for.
When a misdirected text from a stranger leads to a flirty exchange, she surprises herself by suggesting an impulsive meetup. But the woman, Meryl, never shows. Tressa Fay brushes it off—until Meryl’s sister and friend show up at the salon demanding to know what’s going on. Because, you see, there’s no way Meryl could have texted her. Meryl has been missing for a month.
Tressa Fay and her tight-knit group of friends soon discover they aren’t dealing with a catfish, but a temporal paradox. As they come to terms with the idea of parallel universes, they realize how many times their paths have crossed like this before. But even as they understand the multiverse more and more, nothing keeps Meryl from vanishing.
As it draws closer to the moment of Meryl’s disappearance, there’s only one question left: Have they done enough to change the outcome, or have they done so much that none of them will make it past that fateful day in September?
Available now via Ace. Order here.
A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell
Another premise readers find irresistible: archaeologists and treasure hunts. Total bookish catnip. This sapphic historical about childhood friends embarking on a treasure hunt is a must buy this Bookstore Romance Day.
Synopsis: Elfreda Marsden has finally made a major discovery—an ancient amulet proving the Viking army camped on her family’s estate. Too bad her nemesis is back from London, freshly exiled after a scandal and ready to wreak havoc on her life. Georgie Redmayne is everything Elfreda isn’t–charming, popular, carefree, distractingly attractive, and bored to death by the countryside. When the two collide (literally), the amulet is lost, and with it, Elfreda’s big chance to lead a proper excavation. Now Elfreda needs new evidence of medieval activity, and Georgie needs money to escape the doldrums of Derbyshire. Joining forces to locate a hidden hoard of Viking gold is the best chance for them both.
Marsdens and Redmaynes don’t get along, and that’s the least of the reasons these enemies can’t dream of something more. But as the quest takes them on unexpected adventures, sparks of attraction ignite a feeling increasingly difficult to identify as hatred. It’s far too risky to explore. And far too tempting to resist. Elfreda and Georgie soon find that the real treasure comes with a steep price… and the promise of a happiness beyond all measure.
Available now via Penguin House. Order here.
Looking for Group by Alexis Hall
Alexis Hall is a fan favorite around here at In Between Drafts. He deftly offers “introspective and thoughtful escapism.” If that sounds like something you’re looking for, this nerdy book is a superb choice for your Bookstore Romance Day cart.
Synopsis: Drew’s always prided himself on being the “right” kind of nerd. He plays sports, has a solid group of friends, and never had any problem talking to girls. Sure, he spends time playing Heroes of Legend, the biggest MMORPG on the planet, but it’s just a fun hobby, not his identity. Falling for someone in a video game? Not his style. Until it is.
Enter Kit: witty, kind, razor-sharp, and a healer who’s saved Drew’s virtual skin more times than he can count. She’s also, turns out, a boy in real life. The realization knocks Drew off-balance, but it doesn’t take long for him to figure out the simple truth–he likes Kit, no matter Kit’s gender.
The real challenge? Kit’s reality is leagues apart from Drew’s. Being online is his life, and while he’s willing to come out of his shell an inch at a time, there’s such a wide gulf between them that Drew’s left wondering: can love truly bridge the distance…or are they fated to remain in separate worlds forever?
Available now via Sourcebooks Casablanca. Order here.
Brutal Vows by J.T. Geissinger
The fourth book in J.T. Geissinger’s Queens & Monsters series, Brutal Vows is a dark-romance star-crossed lovers revenge tale, taking enemies-to-lovers to a gritty and steamy extreme.
Synopsis:
Reyna
If this arrogant Irish mobster my brother sold my niece to thinks I’m going to play nice over this arranged marriage BS, he should think again. I don’t care if this match with the Mob will make my brother capo of the Five Families – I don’t care how much money, territory, or power it will gain us. I especially don’t care that the Irishman is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen – I won’t allow my innocent niece to suffer the same way I did.
Even if I have to kill him.
Spider
I’m supposed to marry sweet, beautiful Lili. So why can’t I stop thinking about her swamp witch of an aunt?
Reyna who hates me, Reyna who challenges me. Reyna with the guts of a Viking, the body of a fertility goddess, and the attitude of a feral cat.
Nothing good can come of what I’m feeling for a woman who’s not the one in the wedding contract I signed. A woman I want so much, I’ll have to burn the whole world down to get.
If she doesn’t kill me first.
Available now via Bramble. Order here.
Brianna Robinson is a book publicist and Sarah Lawrence College alum. She lives in New York with too many books and two enthusiastic dachshunds. You can find her on twitter @blrobins2.
No Comments