Sponsored by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
When she hears that the town of Heritage is looking for a new librarian, Libby Kingsley jumps at the opportunity. Little did she know the library is barely more than a basement room stuffed with dusty, outdated books. What the community really needs is a new building. But the only funds available are those being channeled into the new town square, and the landscape architect in charge of the project wants nothing to do with her plans. All Austin Williams wants to do is get the town square project finished. Will this determine bookworm change his mind—and possibly even his heart?
Howdy folks. I hope you had some time to rest if you are in the US and celebrate Labor Day, and if you’re not, hope you had a good weekend. Either way, I hope you managed to get some reading done, if you wanted to. It took me four days to read a book I could have downed in one sitting, but…you know, that was my own fault. Mine and Tim Riggins’. (That was a Friday Night Lights joke. I’m still not done with that cursed show.)
Since we skipped the holiday, I’m saving up the news links for Monday’s newsletter. There wasn’t a whole lot that happened, even though the notable events were definitely doozies. In the meantime, here is Keanu Reeves as romance novels.
Over on Book Riot
Queer. Sports. Romance. You know you want to check out this list.
And look. Reading t-shirts.
Not all Urban Fantasy has romantic elements in it, but some of the best does. This list covers the gamut of UF, but there are plenty that will draw you in with some swoons.
And you’ve still got time to enter to win fifty bucks to your favorite indie.
Deals
Have you read Olivia Waite’s Feminine Pursuits books? You can start with the first, The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, for 1.99 right now. Lucy needs to get away from her life, and she takes that chance by going to work for a Countess who needs an astronomy text translated. And while she might be her patron and therefore her employer, their dynamic is nicely presented in this story. And there’s a lot of talk of science and writing damning the patriarchy. The second, The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows, is just 3.99 if you want to read about beekeeping and ladies wearing trousers.
New Books!
That books I said I finished over the weekend? Well, it’s not a release for this week. It actually comes out on the 22nd, and I’m just gonna recommend you pre-order it now so you can read it immediately. It should be no surprise to anyone who knows me that I loved the mess out of Courtney Milan’s The Duke Who Didn’t and want you to do so, too.
Okay, new books.
Love on Repeat
D. Rose
I love a story where music brings people together, and I’ve heard good things about this one. It features two people who have really figured out their careers and are ready to move forward with that element of their lives. But then they meet, and the world is sex on its axis. Because being in love makes life even better, on top of having awesome careers. But of course, things and people like to get in the way.
And then there are others:
Her Big City Neighbor by Jackie Lau
Shadows in Death by JD Robb (I know it’s not technically romance but it’s always of note)
Fuel My Fire by AS Wilson
Older by Pamela Redmond (this is a sequel to Younger, which I never read but enjoyed as a TV show, and it looks like it’s going to be “contemporary fiction with romantic elements” but I felt like I had to let you know it existed)
Trust Fund Fiance by Naima Simone (paperback release)
Don’t Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross
Love Untainted by Mel Dau
The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean by Tara Lain (those are definitely head-turning words)
In Case You Missed It by Lindsey Kelk
Lady of Jeffrey Manor by JS Cole
A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane (the book came out a while ago, but now you can listen to the audiobook—I listened to the first one, and Nicole Poole is fantastic)
Second Helpings by Brandon Witt
Reading anything good this weekend?
As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at wheninromance@bookriot.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!