Weekly Reads: September 7 to 13, 2026 (contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance)

A Study in Sparkling by Jodi McAlister (2026)

Contemporary romance. Book 2 of the Literary Lovers series. You’d think this would be just a simple steamy friends with benefits romance, but basically the emotionally injured Fiona keeps breaking Satoshi’s heart. Satoshi runs the wine bar/bookstore that Fiona frequents and is totally in love with her. Fiona’s husband turns out to have had a secret family in another town and he leaves her and the kids for them. She’s been the center of small town gossip and is basically all sorts of insecure because of her husband’s desertion. When she starts a physical relationship with Satoshi, she’s reluctant to trust that he’ll stick around, especially since he’s younger and more handsome than she thinks she deserves. And Satoshi is taking what he can get and afraid to spook her away. Makes for poor communication and heartbreak all the way around.

Advance ebook provided by Atria Books via NetGalley.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Libro.fm

When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries (2014)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Duke’s Men series. Second chance romance after everyone’s been lied to. Tragic prologue for Isa and Victor, who get caught up in some royal jewel thieving, orchestrated by Isa’s sister and brother-in-law. Ten years later, Victor has finally got a clue about his missing wife’s whereabouts in Scotland. She’s been living there under an assumed name as an imitation jeweler all these years. It’s a messy confrontation between them, but they quickly reunited once the truth of her sister’s betrayal comes to light. But they’re both hesitant to actually trust each other, and there’s still more danger ahead. Add in a bumbling baron and a country house party, and there’s loads of drama.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

See You Next Tuesday by Kate Stayman-London (2026)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Ten years of yearning and miscommunication and misjudgment of each other. Ugh, this was such a good book. Anya and Gabe have been at odds everytime they cross paths. Someone ends up saying the wrong thing, the other one gets defensive, and they go right back to hating each other. Despite the simmering attraction between them. Oh, we get so many time jumps here and so many instances where they have a chance to get together. Loved the yearslong yearning.

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

Miss Beresford and the Beast by Mimi Matthews (2026)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the Daughters of Somerset series. Charlotte is a bit impetuous, gets injured at a beastly earl’s decrepit castle, and has a spot of amnesia while she’s there. Magnus is scarred and injured from his naval service and has a terrible reputation in the village around the estate due to some shameful secrets of his past. But of course, Charlotte sees right through the gruffness and falls for him anyway. I love that she comes to his defense at every opportunity and tries to show him of his own worth. Third generation of our favorite Somerset families, starting with The Work of Art.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Shop this book via Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Grim Tidings by BK Borison (2026)

Paranormal romance. Book 2 of the Ghosted series. Reaper Darcy is pretty sick of being the symbol of death and wants to maybe try something new. Upon arrival at her new assignment location, she flirts and then fights with Gabriel, a Guardian, who is wary of her scheming. Sworn enemies until they fall for each other and all sorts of swirly emotions abound. But you can’t really cheat death in this world and the big death boss is going to come looking for the insubordinate reaper. Complicated and angsty in all the best ways.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.