Sponsored by The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai, published by Avon Books
Alisha Rai, one of contemporary romance’s brightest stars, returns with The Right Swipe, a sizzling new rom-com about two rival dating app creators that find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom… Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. But when an old match surfaces asking for a second chance, Rhi’s wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…
Happy Thursday, folks! Just two more sleeps until the first-ever Bookstore Romance Day!
Over on Book Riot
Do you have a favorite Avenger? Sil matches up a few with a good romance.
You might recall that Stacey Abrams and Selena Montgomery are one and the same. If you haven’t yet tried one of her books, here’s a reading pathway offering places to start.
Animal lover? You’ll love these.
And as usual, Trisha and I talked about stuff, including the RITAs and what romances/universes we want to get the fanfic/extended universe treatment.
Deals
Already read The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics and A Little Light Mischief but still haven’t had that urge met? Check out A Lady’s Desire by Lily Maxton, which is 99 cents right now. Two women are reunited after a youthful friendship fallen apart, and they have to deal with the fact that they’re in each other’s lives. Sounds like a good start to me.
If you’re looking for something completely different, Where Souls Collide by Stefanie Worth is $1.49 at the moment. This is a contemporary romance with elements of magic—the female protagonist, Navena, is psychic and having visions of a murder. Meanwhile her ex now owns the newspaper she writes for. All kinds of fun goodness.
New Releases
It’s been a good week for romance, y’all. Let’s talk about a couple.
Holley Trent
I wanted to wait until next week to read this one, but I have been waiting for this follow-up to Writing Her In since the first time Raleigh appeared on the page and just couldn’t hold off any longer. When said publicist has a chance encounter with reluctant rock star Bruce, neither of them can forget it, even though they left on bad terms. Months later, Bruce is in Raleigh’s orbit again, but this time it’s Raleigh’s work nemesis, Everley, who makes Bruce smile. Raleigh and Everley have their own issues, sparking completely from Raleigh being pretty certain that the nepotism hire is determined to undermine and eventually rule them all.
But we all know what assumptions do, don’t we?
I don’t know if Holley Trent was thinking about Design for Living when she wrote this you and me, now you and him, now me and him, now all of us story, but I couldn’t help but feel the featherlight touch of Noel Coward’s classic story as I read this one. And if there was anyone who could come up with three hot messes bigger than the ones in that play, it’s Holley Trent. But they all come to figure themselves out, at least as far as they relate to the other two, and it’s nice to watch not just the development of their relationships, but their characters. And boy, do they find themselves in some…situations.
I also started reading Playing House by Ruby Lang. I’ve been grabbing snatches of it in moments by the microwave and the elevator, and it’s just delightful. (By the time you read this, I hope I’ll have finished it.) I’ve never read a romance featuring urban planners before, and this one also features—because how could it not—a fake relationship. I’m excited to see where Fay and Oliver go from here, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts as well.
Other books I’m looking forward to grabbing soon (or think you should):
The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare
One Day To Fall by Therese Beharrie
Blood Truth by JR Ward
Moti on the Water by Leyla Attar
The Bewildered Bride by Vanessa Riley (did you see my review on Monday?)
Blood of the Pack by Jenny Frame
Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen
She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan
What are you reading this weekend?
As usual, catch me on Twitter @jessisreading or Instagram @jess_is_reading, or send me an email at jessica@riotnewmedia.com if you’ve got feedback, bookrecs, or just want to say hi!