Weekly Reads: June 8 to 14, 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance, sports romance)

The Open Era by Edward Schmit (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Austin has made it to the US Open for the first time and in this universe is the first openly gay player to do so. But he’s just trying to live his life and play good tennis. All of the media attention and stress is not helping his anxiety problem and he’s constantly worried that he’ll end up fainting during a match. Also, not helpful, the really handsome Diego who is running hot and cold with Austin’s friendship and affections. The whole thing is told from Austin’s POV, so we really don’t know what’s going on inside Diego’s head here. When they’re hanging out together, it’s easy to see how Diego is really fun and friendly, but it’s a lot less endearing when he ghosts Austin. I liked this book, but I think I liked Thirty Love by Tom Vellner better for closeted queer tennis romance. See also: Set Point by Meg Jones.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

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The Wild Card by Stephanie Archer (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 5 of the Vancouver Storm series. Tate and Jordan have had a bit of a contentious relationship for years, when Tate’s boss and hockey team owner tasks him with monthly check ins with Jordan, the nearby bar owner and woman who is estranged from her team owner father. The underlying attraction is definitely simmering throughout. And then they’re forced into even more proximity when dear old dad wants to sell the team and Jordan steps up to try to keep the team together. We get Jordan figuring out her life and how hockey fits into it, Tate trying not to sexually harass his new employee but also being totally protective of her, and both of them learning to trust each other and open up. Super sweet interactions between Jordan and Tate’s nine year old daughter, plus the whole book is super steamy. I do enjoy a protective partner, so him rescuing her from her crappy apartment and getting along with her violent cat is a bonus.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

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A Shop Girl’s Guide to Wooing a Lord by Shana Galen (2026)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Heiress Hunters series. I absolutely love when our two main characters have to team up to solve a problem. Something about the competence of them working together. Delightful. Ok, so we have Tamsin, an impoverished woman who is trying to locate her two younger siblings who have been bought by a chimney sweep. And then we’ve got Garret, who catches her stealing at a ball, chases her down, learns her story, and then decides to help her. Meanwhile, he’s got his own family troubles with his parents being in debt and needing Garret or one of his three brother to marry an heiress for money. (Hence, the Heiress Hunters series). He’s too distracted by Tamsin to pursue an actual heiress seriously, and he’s busy helping her find her siblings anyway. Loads of hijinks and adventure here, even though we never leave London. Loved this book and can’t wait to read more.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Love on the Vine series. Poor Ramin tried to propose to his long-term boyfriend, only to be rejected and told that he’s boring. Ugh. So Ramin drunkenly books a trip to Italy to go be a new adventurous version of himself. And then he runs into an old high school crush Noah, who’s there with his kid and his ex-wife. It’s all sparks instantly, but Noah’s not sure if Ramin is still heartbroken over his ex, and Ramin is assuming that Noah is straight. But once they clear that up, it’s definitely a fast-burn steamy romance. Loved this book, although Noah’s ex-wife’s personality was giving me anxiety sometimes.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Libro.fm // Available on Kindle Unlimited // Get a free trial to Kindle Unlimited

Puck by Samantha Allen (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. First of all, the romance plot is a distant secondary plot here and fairly shallow. The main story is really fun and entertaining though. Puck is our favorite nonbinary friend of the old college crew and works on a reality TV show that involves breaking up couples. When two mismatched college friends decide to get married, Puck has a plan to sabotage the whole thing on the week of the wedding. It’s all sorts of messy and there’s a whole cast of characters to play with here, but unfortunately, the maid of honor Robyn is throwing a wrench in all the plans. Robyn is doing her best to make sure that the wedding events go smoothly and is outwardly very stern and dismissive of Puck. Secretly though, she’s showing up in Puck’s room for some extracurricular activities. Why? Not sure. Not totally explored here, since we only get Puck’s POV. Mostly entertaining, but light on the romance.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.

Curves for the Scandalous Duke by Kathleen Ayers (2026)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 6 of the Busty Bodice Club series. Super quick little novella. Josephine is trying and failing to recover a specific brooch from a scandalous duke. Her father had set her on this task in order to gain her inheritance. But she’s a bit clumsy at her attempts and Marcus, the duke in question, is dodging her. He thinks her father is scheming from beyond the grave to get them together, so he’s trying to avoid getting trapped, until he realizes that he’s actually quite attracted to her. The plot resolves fairly quickly, it was just a fun little filler story to read between longer more complicated books.

Ebook accessed from Kindle Unlimited.