Welcome to Top Picks. This is a weekly post which features books out this week which have caught my eye.
I have decided to split the list into three; On my List, On my Radar and Caught My eye. The first is those I have every intention of reading. On my Radar feautures books that I have marked on a wishlist, possibly as I am awaiting a price drop or am not up to that book in the series. The last are more one’s I know next to nothing about but have caught my eye for some reason. All books are one’s which I would potentially read.
As always, I do my due diligence on all books I put on here. I don’t recommend books from authors who I know have engaged in awful behaviour or have bigotted views – I chose not to give them my money so you won’t find them on here. If I make a mistake and feature an author who has engaged in bad behaviour, tell me in the comments and the book will be removed.
I don’t read NA. I do not read reverse harem. I also do not read Pandemic romance. I also do not read mafia romance. Those books will not feature here.
Due to issues with prices, I will no longer be posting RRP’s of these books – the prices I post seem to be accurate for a day so I feel it is completely pointless.
Also, CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO GO TO AMAZON PAGE
I have not read this series yet but it has been on my list for a while. Love a witch romance.
An awkward first date leads to a sparkling romance between one of the most powerful witches in town and a magical newbie in this rom-com by Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch.
Even though she won’t deny her love for pretty (and pricey) things, Nineve Blackmoore is almost painfully down-to-earth and sensible by Blackmoore standards. But after a year of nursing a broken heart inflicted by the fiancée who all but ditched her at the altar, the powerful witch is sick of feeling down and ready to try something drastically different: a dating app.
At her best friend Jessa’s urging, she goes on a date with Morty Gutierrez, the nonbinary, offbeat soul of spontaneity and owner of the Shamrock Cauldron. Their date goes about as well as can be expected: awkward and terrible. To make matters worse, once Morty discovers Nina’s last name, he’s far from a fan; it turns out that the Blackmoores have been bullishly trying to buy the Shamrock out from under Morty and his family.
But when Morty begins developing magical powers-something that usually only happens to committed romantic partners once they officially join a founding family-at the same time as Nina’s own magic surges beyond her control, Nina must manage Morty’s rude awakening to the hidden magical world, uncover its cause, and face the intensity of their own burgeoning connection.
It’s an Austen based romance – of COURSE I am buying it.
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a Jane Austen addict in possession of her books must be in want of a trip to Bath. And a her very own Mr. Darcy, of course.
Sabrina Hill, an administrative assistant from Texas, escapes her mundane life by fangirling with other Janeites over dreamy, fictional Austen men on a Jane Austen message board.
When an accidental blunder at work gets Sabrina fired, her plans to attend the Jane Austen Festival are thrown into chaos. One of her Jane Austen message-board friends helps her pick up the pieces by making her a once-in-a-lifetime offer she can’t refuse.
Sabrina heads to Italy, hoping to figure out her life before the festival. There, as if straight from the pages of a Jane Austen novel, Sabrina meets the mysterious and handsome wine merchant, Lorenzo. Sabrina soon learns that their lives are more interconnected than she ever thought possible, yet, getting to happily-ever-after is never as straightforward as one might wish.
What’s a Jane-Austen obsessed girl to do?
I only started reading Kylie Scott last year but I like what I’ve read. This is on the list as I want to read the book that it prequels.
I do have a bit of a bug-bear about the price…
When her boyfriend announces he’s accepted a yearlong contract in London, Susie’s relieved that Aaron suggests a long-distance relationship. But then it makes her think. Is it her imagination, or does he seem just a little too eager to leave? Is she reading too much into his excitement to hit the British pub scene? And all relationships cool off after a while…right? As Aaron’s departure approaches, Susie confides in her favorite aunt and best friend to help her figure out—is this the beginning of the end or just the beginning of something even better?
Don’t miss this sharp and sassy prequel novella to New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott’s new book, End of Story!
I LOVE the sound of this book. I think I have read something by this author before – it is on the list.
The Little Mermaid meets Loki in this dark, twisted retelling that’s anything but a Fairy Tale. In this world, foes look like friends, the heroes are deliciously wicked, and you’ll never see the end coming.
Ten years ago, I ‘died’, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I should have known it wouldn’t last.
Once my family thought I was dead I was finally free to live.
Until the day my brother walks into my tiny bookshop.
No one leaves the Grayling pack and gets away with it.
They drag me back, but not for the reason I believe.
My mother has made an enemy of a powerful witch
and I am to take the punishment meant for her.
Death would have been kinder.
This curse? What I am now?
It’s so much worse than I could have imagined.
She didn’t just cut me off from my wolf, or even simply kill me. She made me a golden retriever and sent me to a shelter.
I’m ready to die in truth now, I’m hoping for it even.
And then my mate walks in…but how am I supposed to convince him I’m the strong partner he needs to help him stop the end of the world when I can’t stop wagging my freaking tail?
I haven’t read this author before but this looks like something I would enjoy. On the list
Her mountain man hero must make an impossible choice.
Emma
I’ve always been spontaneous, but this time I might have gone too far. Showing up at my brother’s remote cabin to surprise him for his birthday seemed like a good idea. But he’s nowhere to be found, the cabin’s locked up tight, and a snowstorm’s on the way. When his closest neighbor stops by, the gorgeous grumpy mountain man insists on taking me home with him until the storm passes. He’s burly and bossy, but I can tell there’s a kind heart buried under the layers of flannel.
Jackson
The last thing I need is to be snowed in with my best friend’s little sister. If anything happens between me and the beautiful curvy blonde, he won’t just end our friendship, he might even end me. It doesn’t matter that she’s impossible to resist. The sooner I get her out of my cabin, the better off we’ll both be. But how can I let her go when I know deep down she’s meant to be mine?
I really like Karla Doyle and this one sounds fabulous – On the list.
Liana has dreamed of being more than friends with Miles since they were teenagers. At 5’7”, Miles may not be a tall guy, but when they finally have their long overdue first date, he definitely doesn’t fall short in the steam department…
LIANA
I’ve been in love with Miles since we were teenagers, but too scared of ruining our lifelong friendship to tell him how I feel. Until the day his dad, who’s also my boss, says I might lose my chance with Miles if I’m not willing to take a chance. They say patience is a virtue, that good things come to those who wait. But what if they’re wrong, and Miles’ dad is right?
MILES
Liana has been my best friend since kindergarten. She’s worked for my dad half her life. She’s practically family. And she’s the only woman I’ve ever truly wanted. Things look like they’re going to fall perfectly into place when I finally take a dip in romantic waters… until I can’t reel in my stupid mouth, and nearly lose the only woman I’ve ever wanted to catch.* A friends to lovers, small town, sweet and steamy romance with a guaranteed Happily Ever After! *
I was only introduced to Sawyer Bennett this year – love their work. On the list (although the backlist is HUGE so it could take me a while)
Drake McGinn turned his back on hockey after the league betrayed him. Will the Titans be his chance to clear his name and take back the career he once loved?
After I made the decision to divorce, my ex-wife set out on a smear campaign against me, telling anyone who would listen that I was betting on hockey and throwing games. It wasn’t surprising that my ex told the lies, but the fact that the media, league, and fans chose to believe her baseless claims was unforgivable. I walked away from it all and never looked back.
Having settled into life as a single dad to three boys, I’m content. I have more money than I could ever need, and plenty of time to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and whoever I want. So when Brienne Norcross, the team owner for the Pittsburgh Titans, shows up at my house with a job offer, I have no problem turning her down. But the no-nonsense billionaire, with sinfully seductive red lips and killer heels that would look hot as hell thrown over my shoulders, won’t take “no” for an answer.
Now I need to find balance between hockey, my boys, and the explosive chemistry Brienne and I can no longer deny. A cast-off hockey player and the league’s only female team owner? I can think of a million reasons why it could never work but can’t bring myself to care about a single one of them. Game on.
I read Beginning of the End by Kylie Scott
Did you enjoy it? I haven’t gotten round to reading it yet..