Take a Chance, Sasha Sinclair by Ashley Herring Blake (2026)
Contemporary romance. Book 3 of the Clover Lake series. Loved this book so much and how Sasha and Margot uncovered a whole history of Margot’s ancestor. Let’s back up though. Sasha is all sorts of emotionally damaged after the sudden death of her parents; she’s been aimlessly wandering for years and writes a semi-intoxicated letter to the family who holds the keys to a legendary ghost story that her parents were chasing for years. Sasha gets the go ahead to start working on her documentary, but finds a total hiccup in the form of Margot, who is stodgy and combative and super protective of herself and her family. But of course, the attraction is searing and both of these people need to learn to open up. We mostly lead with a friends with benefits situation, but feelings are definitely catching. Seriously emotional and I loved it.
Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby. Advance audiobook provided by Penguin Random House Audio.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter (2026)
Contemporary romance/Cozy mystery. Standalone novel. Class divide and a murder mystery. The housekeeper’s daughter, Ella, is suspected of murdering the billionaire’s grandson, Liam. Except Liam is totally still alive and there’s the mystery of who is trying to kill him and why. We get to see Ella and Liam’s delightful banter and glimpses of their past together. Ella’s life is truly lonely and heartbreaking, made even more so when we learn more about her relationship with Liam’s grandfather. And the romance and yearning was really good too. The mystery aspect kept me hooked because I just wanted to find out whodunnit!
Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.
Once, Again, Always by Amanda Gayle (2026)
Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. I have read this story in a past iteration, and despite knowing most of what happens, I LOVED this book. It’s told from Molly’s POV as she suffers from a brain injury and subsequent amnesia and wakes up without 6 years of her memories. Plus, she’s married to her academic rival and doesn’t quite trust him. It’s definitely a jarring situation for her. However, from the very first appearance, you can feel Aster’s heartbreak and yearning for the wife he clearly adores. Like, how can a write be so incredibly talented that you can feel the feelings of a character who doesn’t even get a POV in the book? Ugh, it’s the best. It’s definitely an angst-fest the whole way, until you see Molly start to soften towards Aster. We’ve got a really fun boisterous friend group throughout too.
Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Harper Collins Audio.
Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas (2026)
Historical fiction. Victorian-era England. Standalone novel. Reina has a lot of ideas in her genius brain, like opening her the first women’s bank in England. But she’s preoccupied with her new house and has the worst luck at hiring servants. Luckily, she found a second chance agency that’s hiring out paroled convicts. And this makes it super easy for John (a secret police detective) to sneak in as a butler to investigate Reina and her relationship to a potentially fraudulent banker. Oh, this book was delightfully domestic and I loved how all these strangers came together to form a family. Romance was a subplot here, but it was truly emotional. Loved the cameos from Ethan Ransom and Garrett Gibson (from the Ravenels). Kleypas fans will not be disappointed.
Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan (2024)
Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Ali has been drowning a bit since her mom died and her husband left her. But she’s doing her best in her stained sweatpants, making sure her three kids are alive and well. It’s time to wake up and move on though, so we’re lucky there’s a meet cute with a guy at the dog park. Ethan is the perfect first date and they’re both totally smitten. Except Ethan’s only in town for the Summer, so nothing serious could possibly happen, right? Yea, I think we know they’ll start having serious feelings any day now.
Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.
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