Modern and Contemporary romance

Book SynopsisA star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago.Trade Review"First Star I See Tonight is Susan Elizabeth Phillips at her best--funny, charming and un-put-downable. Oh, and I call dibs on Cooper!" -- #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery "FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is so hot that when I read it I had to take a cold shower. Whew! I loved it!" -- Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author of All Summer Long "In FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT, Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes about the kind of strong, self-assured women I love! I found myself cheering for this heroine with her unwavering ethics from the first page to the last!" -- Julie Garwood, author of The Bride "I always laugh my head off when I read Susan Elizabeth Phillips' novels. She never fails to leave a smile on my face." -- Catherine Coulter, author of Insidious "Fall into the addictive voice of Susan Elizabeth Phillips -- compulsively readable and deeply satisfying! Re-entering the world of the Chicago Stars is like a beloved friend come to call." -- Robyn Carr, author of Virgin River "First Star I See Tonight is a perfect example of why Susan Elizabeth Phillips is so popular. The characterization is spot on...The ending made me smile even though I was going into mourning because-you know-it ended." -- Linda Howard New York Times bestselling author "I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books. Her writing is infused with intense emotion, sharp characterization, subtle wit and a rare energy that is absolutely irresistible. When I open one of her books I know I'm in for an exhilarating ride. This is women's fiction at its best." -- Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of River Road "First Star I See Tonight is Susan Elizabeth Phillips at her very best, and there's no one better at writing romantic fiction. Susan is the absolute queen of contemporary romance." -- Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale "This thoroughly enjoyable novel delivers a swift kick to the heart-an essential summer read" -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "...Phillips' literary star shines bright in her latest dazzling (and long-awaited) installment...Writing with a deceptively easy sense of grace, equally enhanced by her distinctively dry sense of wit, Phillips fashions an irresistibly sexy love story that is guaranteed to hit every romance reader's sweet spot." -- Booklist (starred review) Laugh-out-loud funny, insightful, and touching, this latest gem from one of the genre's best is a must-buy for all library collections. -- Library Journal (starred review)

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlisha Rai, one of contemporary romance’s brightest stars, makes her Avon Books debut with the first novel in the sexy Forbidden Hearts series!One night. She’s the one woman he shouldn’t want . Being together might be against all the rules .Trade Review"Alisha Rai blends emotional characters with passionate sensuality in some of the best examples of erotic romance available." -- Sarah MacLean for the Washington Post (Best Romances of the Month) "Alisha Rai's HATE TO WANT YOU is so real and frank [...] a smoking hot, beautifully romantic novel, which is both astounding and refreshing. I'll be thinking about this book and recommending it for a long time to come." -- Book Riot

Read more less

Book SynopsisTen years later, he’s come back to town: older, wiser, richer, tougher—and still helpless to turn away the one woman he could never stop loving, even after she married his brother.Sadia Ahmed can’t deal with the feelings her mysterious former brother-in-law stirs, but she also can’t turn down his offer of help with the cafe she’s inherited.Trade Review“Another emotional, passionate, and psychologically complex love story in a gripping series that follows the fates of two warring families.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “It’s not an easy journey, but watching Sadia and Jackson overcome each obstacle in order to claim their HEA is incredibly rewarding!” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) “well-drawn characters and a plot that heats up with the mutual attraction... This is addictive reading for fans of family sagas and romance.” — Publishers Weekly “as deliciously soapy as a CW drama with a far more diverse cast and a heartfelt, sensitive eye for issues... With her inclusive, multi-cultural supporting characters, smoking hot love scenes, and keen eye for plotting and family dynamics, Rai crafts some of the best romance writing of the year here.” — Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A) “gripping and passionate” — Bookish (Autumn 2017’s Most Swoon-Worthy Romance Books)

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeing bad never felt so good, in the third novel in Alisha Rai’s sexy Forbidden Hearts series!Well-behaved women don’t lust after men who love to misbehave.Heiress Evangeline Chandler knows how to keep a secret .Trade Review“The only thing more romantic than a wedding is the long-awaited consummation of love between two favorite characters in a series, and the enjoyable third installment to Rai’s Forbidden Hearts contemporary series serves up both... True to Rai’s style, family secrets and surprises add complexity to this strong story about how wealth and privilege can do as much to destroy happiness as to facilitate it.” — Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisIN A SIZZLING NEW ARGENEAU NOVEL FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR LYNSAY SANDS, AN IMPULSIVE RESCUE PAIRS A SEXY IMMORTAL WITH THE WOMAN MADE TO BE HIS FOR ETERNITYAbigail Forsythe’s life hasn’t been easy lately. Still, if there’s one thing guaranteed to take her mind off an empty bank account and abandoned dreams, it’s a naked man locked in a plane’s cargo hold. A very big, incredibly gorgeous naked man. And when instinct prompts her to free him, Abigail must rely on this stranger for survival . . . a stranger who leaves her thrumming with need every time they touch.Tomasso Notte knows he’s found his life mate in Abigail. Now he just has to hold on to her. They’re miles from civilization, hunted by his kidnappers. Abigail has no idea of Tomasso’s abilities, or of how intensely pleasurable their unique connection can be. But he’s about to show her, beginning with one wild, hot, immortal night . . .

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Montana Man risks everything for the woman he loves . but is she also dangerous?From the moment he enters her life, King makes Cara . The handsome drifter says he wants to get his life together .Trade Review“Honesty and trust issues loom large in this emotionally taut story that features an assortment of nuanced characters and also delivers a heartwarming romance.” — Library Journal “[...] the story is action-packed with a surprise ending, setting a high bar for the next in the series.” — Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisAndrew McQuaid wasn’t always the local playboy. Once upon a time, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with one woman-Gia Mancuso. When he made a mistake and lost her, he decided he wasn’t meant to have a happy-ever-after. Now, Gia’s come back to town, with a baby in tow, and it might just mean a second chance at forever, if he can convince her that he never stopped loving her.Ten years after leaving, Gia finds herself back in Hidden Falls. Between helping her ailing father save the family restaurant and taking care of the baby her sister left on her doorstep, she doesn’t have time for the man who once broke her heart. But Andrew is all grown-up now, in every single way. And the part of her that has always been his can’t quite say no to his tempting kisses.Just when Gia begins to open her heart, a devastating secret emerges that threatens to destroy her family and any future with Andrew. Are they doomed to repeat the mistakes of their p

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Diamond is fast making a name for herself as an author with the ability to deliver complex thrillers packed with characters who resonate and are filled with hidden depths. Definitely an author to watch!” — RT Book Reviews (top pick) “...This is a compulsively readable romantic thriller.” — Kirkus Reviews “Full of chills and thrills, Such a Pretty Girl is a perfect Halloween read for romance lovers.” — BookPage

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Tess Diamond’s third romantic thriller, an FBI agent teams up with the one woman who can offer the salvation he needs as they search for a serial killer .

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“The sexual tension crackles as Portia and Tavish hide their attraction behind sarcasm, but the real emotional punch comes when they admit their feelings but need to decide if each really has a place in the other’s life. With a multicultural cast and delightfully geeky details (Cheryl Hu, Tavish’s sister-in-law, runs a food truck called Doctor Hu’s), Cole’s latest is pretty much perfect.” — Booklist (starred review) “Cole includes just the right amount of sass, sex, and heart to satisfy romance readers.” — Publishers Weekly “Multicultural characters, current social issues, a generous helping of Scottish weapons lore, a hero who learns to forgive the past, and a heroine who comes into her own make Cole’s latest a lively, upbeat escapade rich with humor and heart.” — Library Journal “Cole’s romances are always smart, sexy, captivating reads...” — Entertainment Weekly “Alyssa Cole has rightfully garnered acclaim from all corners for the impeccable construction and emotional complexity of her romance novels. But her new novel, A Duke by Default, underscored something about her writing that I think deserves to be celebrated just as much—how joyfully and unrepentantly nerdy her work is.” — BookPage “Alyssa Cole has presented another winner in her acclaimed Reluctant Royals series... A romantic Scottish armory and two unlikely characters with chemistry off the charts makes this book a rapid read.” — BookTrib “Witty, heartwarming, and super sexy! A charming royal romance.” — Fresh Fiction “This book not only has one of my favorite meet-cutes ever written, it also features a heroine who is strong and vulnerable in equal measure, a perfect Scottish curmudgeon hero (aka #swordbae), and a supporting cast that celebrates the importance of female friendship. The romance is swoon-worthy, and I particularly loved the thoughtful exploration of the pressures of living up to family legacies (royal or not).” — Bookish (Favorite Books of 2018)

Read more less

Book SynopsisNamed one of Amazon''s Best Romances of May!The Reluctant Royals series returns with a good girl searching for the life that’s not too big, and not too small, and the bad boy prince who might be just right for her…Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding, she accidentally finds herself up close and personal—in bed—with the real-life celebrity prince who she loves to hate.For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi bait is a ruse that protects his brother—the heir to the throne—and his own heart. When a royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him.Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoidTrade Review“Nya and Johan’s swoony sexual tension evolves into a scorching exploration that recognizes Nya’s relative inexperience while rendering the pair’s matched desire, fulfillment, and power. A gifted writer at the top of her emotional, sexy, romantic, and inclusive game.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Cole explores sexual and gender identities, grief, self-respect, acceptance, and love in this faultless romance. She weaves family drama and emotional growth into a passion-filled story worthy of its irresistibly complicated (and diverse) characters. This affair of the heart is deeply satisfying.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “delightful... This sexy, warmhearted romance is essential reading for fans of the series, though it also stands on its own.” — Library Journal (starred review) “An impressive ending to a series featuring an international cast of complex, multicultural characters balancing their royal responsibilities with their modern lives and loves.” — Booklist (starred review) “If you like faux engagements, ultra steamy scenes, and an eventual happily-ever-after, this one’s for you.” — Oprahmag.com

Read more less

Book SynopsisBut Cate soon discovers that she not only needs Damon, she wants him, which isn’t good—for the attraction brewing between them will only lead to complications that can turn into danger . As Damon works with Cate to uncover her sister’s killer, he finds himself drawn to her more and more.Trade Review“Dimon capably balances the romantic relationship with the fight for survival, avoiding cliché and easy fixes. Love scenes are intense and fully detailed, adding depth to the emotional connection. An explosive ending will delight and satisfy series fans.” — Publishers Weekly “HelenKay Dimon’s THE PROTECTOR is a fine reminder of what a great storyteller she is.” — USA Today, Happy Ever After

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Montana man always protects the woman he lovesHe discovered her during a Montana blizzard, freezing cold, impossibly vulnerable, a little boy by her side. Undercover DEA Agent Beck “Trigger” Cooke is astonished to recognize Ashley Swan—award-winning actress, famous beauty—and missing for over a year. To keep her and the child hidden from a sadistic madman, he secrets the pair away to his isolated home.No longer a prisoner, and protected at Hope Ranch, Ashley recovers and learns the tall, tempting federal agent may have a dark past, but it hasn’t destroyed his sense of honor.As they shed past roles and find common ground, Ashley and Trigger can’t help but fall slowly, carefully, in love. But danger still lurks outside the boundaries of Hope Ranch, for until her crazed captor is brought to justice, and Trigger’s undercover past is laid to rest, none of them will ever be truly safe…

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFirst Time in Print!(A standalone Heartbreaker Bay novel) When love drives you crazy . . . When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with the unique finder-and-fixer skills who can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him. the best thing to do . . . No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo. . . . is enjoy the ride. As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more. 

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisRunning in five-inch stilettos is an art form. Leaving your fiancé at the altar on live television is a disaster. Lexie Kowalsky thought she was ready to get married in front of millions of people, but at the last minute she fled the set of television’s hottest reality show, Gettin’ Hitched. Wearing a poofy white dress and a pair of five-inch sparkly shoes, Lexie hopped a float plane for Sandspit, Canada. She figured no one would find her there. But she was wrong.Sharing her flight was the Seattle Chinooks biggest star, Sean Knox. Lexie wasn’t just a reality-show runaway, she was his pain in the butt coach’s daughter. She was chaos and temptation and definitely off limits, but getting her luscious body out of that wedding gown, he couldn’t resist getting her in his bed for one amazing night.Then a photo of Sean and Lexi breaks the internet—and suddenly they’re both swept up in a c

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisReturn to Montana as a tough-talking cowboy meets his match in Jennifer Ryan’s newest Wild Rose Ranch novel.Ex-Army Ranger Drake McGrath has come home to Montana, locked in a battle with himself, lashing out at those who love him most—driving away his ex-fiancée and alienating his family.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"With twists and turns right out of a Bollywood drama . . . [a]nother win from this rising romance star." -- Booklist"The second book in Rai’s Modern Love series, this is a romance novel you need in your life… The true takeaway from this novel is Rai's artful depiction of how, with the right communication and care, two people can work through mental health issues to find meaningful love.” -- Shondaland.com (Five Books to Read in April)"Girl Gone Viral is a fun, sexy rom com that's impossible to resist.” -- PopSugar (25 of the Best New Books to Add to Your Reading List This Spring)"gorgeous romance... Rae handles her characters’ mental health issues with incredible care while not shying away from depicting the effects such issues would have on a relationship. Katrina and Jas’s loving, mutual support of one another is truly touching. This sensitive and sexy contemporary is sure to be a hit." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"The Right Swipe is a fun, hilarious and touching modern romance... Anyone who has been in the dating world in the past 10 years will find something to relate to in this book, and will also fall hard for this love story." -- Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of Royal Holiday“I absolutely loved it… volcano-hot sex and cackle-worthy dialogue…I highly recommend this!” -- Sally Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine"Girl Gone Viral is a fun, addictive romance and when the layers kick in, it's a page-turner you won't put down." -- NPR“An ideal gift for the reader who loves comedy and emotional complexity, and who knows all too well the unique challenges of dating in the modern era.” -- Washington Post (Best Romances of 2019)“Rai turns up the heat and finds the funny in modern dating, from almost-dick pics to glitter grams and ghosting. But it’s not all steamy, as the characters have issues with trust and love, making them vulnerable both to each other and the public. Taking the dating app business to another level, with a dose of girl power, sexual politics, and one eccentric red-headed aunt, Rai scores a touchdown.” -- Booklist“One of the very brightest romance writers working right now develops sizzling romantic tension...” -- Entertainment Weekly"This hilarious, heartfelt new novel from Alisha Rai is the perfect way to add a little warmth to a chilly fall evening." -- Today.com “Rai’s GIRL GONE VIRAL sizzles with heart and family. Jas and Kat's fiery chemistry is irresistible, fulfilling every bodyguard fantasy. This book satisfies as much as Kat’s sourdough waffles.” -- Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune“Alisha Rai — hands down, one of our favorite authors in the genre — manages to do something fresh every time she lowers her hands to a keyboard, and The Right Swipe is our favorite yet. It’s smart, empowering, juicy, and exploding with voice. We love getting lost in her books and this one is the perfect pick for these warm and indulgent days of summer! We absolutely adored this book!” -- Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners“Alisha Rai delivers compelling emotion, fascinating characters and edgy romance in a razor-sharp, thoroughly modern voice that readers will adore. I sure did!” -- Jayne Ann Krentz"Rai follows up The Right Swipe with a sweet and spicy romance that delves into some deep issues of mental health for both main characters (severe anxiety and PTSD), as well as the effects of social media on people’s lives. Essential for public libraries." -- Library Journal (starred review)"Rai's lovely, slow-building romance between the very appealing Katrina and Jasvinder will delight readers." -- Booklist

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Meg Cabot is chick-lit royalty.” -- Newsweek“There is a school of thought that says reading should be entertaining, and this is exactly what Meg Cabot produces for us: fun. She is the master of her genre; she is the George Bernard Shaw if not the George Eliot of [her genre].” -- Publishers Weekly“Meg Cabot is best known for her books for younger readers, but her adult fiction is a total delight.” -- Popsugar“As in Cabot’s previous adult romances (e.g., The Boy Is Back), our heroine’s wit and humor and determination to stay the course shines through in this breezy story that is a pure delight to read.” -- Library Journal“The ever-delightful Cabot charms in her latest, which is equal parts sweet and steamy. Animal lovers unite—this one’s for you.” -- Booklist“Meg Cabot is a fabulous author.” -- USA Today“(Cabot) is a master at entertaining and amusing readers.” -- Booklist“Cabot’s strength is her heroine’s funny, authentic voice. Great fun.” -- Kirkus Reviews

Read more less

Book SynopsisFleeing from a shattering scandal, she has a new name, a chance at a new beginning, and a breathtaking new view: Hansen Rye. …or a private trap for two lovers?After a devastating family tragedy, Hansen finds the pebbled shores of the faraway island to be an ideal refuge. He’s no stranger to Hansen.Trade Review“Lovers intent on putting their pasts behind them find fulfillment and danger on a secluded private island where everyone has something to hide. This riveting story with a sexy, edgy vibe moves at breakneck speed and splendidly launches a hot new series.” — Library Journal “Murder runs rampant on Whitaker Island, and the list of possible suspects is almost as big as the population in Dimon’s intense romantic thriller... Dimon perfectly balances the romance with the suspense in this thrilling, action-filled whodunit.” — Publishers Weekly “Dimon demonstrates her romantic suspense chops, setting her new series on an island full of residents who are part secret keepers, part gossipmongers. A fun, sexy, romantic mystery and a great series launch.” — Kirkus Reviews “RITA Award-winning Dimon turns up the sensual heat level to full boil in the compulsively readable launch to her Whitaker Island series, while still delivering the razor-sharp wit for which she has become known and loved.” — Booklist

Read more less

Book SynopsisNo matter where you run to…Connor Rye seeks solace on remote Whitaker Island.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Sally Thorne satisfies hearts longing for laughter in their love stories… [Joshua and Lucy’s] battle of wits is tremendously fun—acerbic and sexy and filled with tension. The result is a wicked, witty romance that will capture readers’ hearts long before Joshua manages to capture Lucy’s.” -- Washington Post on The Hating Game“Good fun.” -- People on The Hating Game“A breezy tale perfect for a day at the beach, this one’s a real winner.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on The Hating Game “A brilliant, biting, hilarious new voice. The Hating Game will take the rom-com world by storm. One of the best I’ve read, ever.” -- Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author“Funny, smart, fresh, and thoroughly enjoyable from the first delicious page to the last. I highly recommend.” -- Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling author, on The Hating Game

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat would it take to tame a wild cowboy?One minute, Rhett Lockhart is a love ‘em and leave ‘em bull rider with a slow, sexy smile, a swagger, and not a care in the world. The next, he learns his free-wheeling days are over: a baby has been abandoned in the hospital, and there’s no question: he’s the father. But from the first moment he gazes into his daughter’s eyes, he knows the moment has come to say ‘no’ to no-strings. It’s time to grow up. Standing in his way is the baby’s foster mother, Tara Alzate, who doesn’t quite believe Rhett is ready to change his ways. Still, she’s not not immune to his considerable charms. So when he proposes a marriage of convenience and shared custody, against her better judgement, she says “I do.” Can Tara tame this wild cowboy and make her own, long-buried dreams come true? A Cupid, Texas novel

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling author of The Lost and Found Bookshop brings readers a can’t-miss tale of friendship, hardship, redemption, and love between a San Francisco baker and a barbecue master from Texas.Susan Wiggs understands the tender dramas of everyday life, of friendship and family, of wanting something that might be just beyond reach. She will make you believe in life’s sweetness.”--Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Box“Wiggs writes with compassion and insight...This is another winner.” —BooklistJerome Sugar learned the art of baking in his grandma’s bakery, also called Sugar, on historic Perdita Street in San Francisco. He supplies baked goods to the Lost and Found Bookshop across the street.When the restaurant that shares his commercial kitchen loses its longtime tenant, a newcomer moves in: Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas.Margot isn’t exactly on the run, but she needs a fresh start. She’s taken care of herself her whole life, pulling herself up by her fingernails to recover from trauma, and her dream has been to open a restaurant somewhere far, far from Texas. The shared kitchen with Jerome''s Sugar bakery is the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.Margot instantly takes to Jerome’s mother, the lively, opinionated Ida. The older woman proves to be a good mentor, and Margot is drawn to Jerome. Despite their different backgrounds their attraction is powerful—even though Jerome worries that Margot will simply move on from him once she’s found some peace and stability. But just as she starts to relax into a happy new future, Margot’s past in Texas comes back to haunt her…

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlyssa Cole returns with a fun, sexy romance novella in the Reluctant Royals series! While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy—so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.Trade Review“Cole has crafted yet another love story you can’t wait to dive into headfirst. She hits on contemporary issues ranging from the heartbreak of being ghosted to far more serious questions of immigration law, tackling all of it with the empathy and pragmatism that has become a hallmark of her work. Simply by telling inclusive stories that matter to her, Cole is breaking down barriers in mainstream romance publishing... a story that could have filled a whole novel in its heft and emotional depth.” — Entertainment Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlyssa Cole delivers another fun, sexy romance novella in the Reluctant Royals series!Regina Hobbs is nerdy by nature, businesswoman by nurture. She''s finally taking her pop culture-centered media enterprise, Girls with Glasses, to the next level, but the stress is forcing her to face a familiar supervillain: insomnia. The only thing that helps her sleep when things get this bad is the deep, soothing voice of puzzle-obsessed live streamer Gustave Nguyen. The problem? His archive has been deleted.Gus has been tasked with creating an escape room themed around a romance anime…except he knows nothing about romance or anime. Then mega-nerd and anime expert Reggie comes calling, and they make a trade: his voice for her knowledge. But when their online friendship has IRL chemistry, will they be able to escape love?

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn arranged marriage leads to unexpected desire, in the first book of Alyssa Cole’sRunaway Royals series…When Shanti Mohapi weds the king of Njaza, her dream of becoming a queen finally comes true. But it’s nothing like she imagined. Shanti and her husband may share an immediate and powerful attraction, but her subjects see her as an outsider, and everything she was taught about being the perfect wife goes disastrously wrong.A king must rule with an iron fist, and newly crowned King Sanyu was born perfectly fitted for the gauntlet, even if he wishes he weren’t. He agrees to take a wife as is required of him, though he doesn’t expect to actually fall in love. Even more vexing? His beguiling new queen seems to have the answers to his country’s problems—except no one will listen to her.By day, they lead separate lives. By night, she wears the crown, and he bows to hTrade Review"Cole’s majestic new Runaway Royals series spins off from her excellent Reluctant Royals trilogy, adding more dazzling depth... Cole’s contemporary romances shine with unique settings and complex characters. Fans will eagerly await her next royal match." — Booklist (starred review) "Cole launches the “Runaway Royals” series with a bang, introducing a sexy but shy king, a determined and caring queen, and a host of characters who leap off the page into the reader’s imagination. Fans of the “Reluctant Royals” series will adore cameos by some of their favorites, but this is a solid starting point for new readers." — Library Journal (starred review) "Cole subverts both expectations and gender roles with the smart, sexy contemporary romance that opens her Runaway Royals series... Their unlikely arranged marriage strikes a delicate balance of politics and passion that is sure to delight." — Publishers Weekly (Best Books of 2020) “How to Catch a Queen is a cracking good tale. Cole’s worldbuilding is, as always, perfection, helped along by some engaging characters... one of the best romances of the year." — All About Romance "[O]ne of the year's best romances." — Popsugar

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Alyssa Cole is the newly coronated queen of contemporary royal romance! A Princess in Theory is delicious fun. It has everything anyone could ever want in a royal romance, including a smart, funny heroine; a sweetly sexy prince; swoon-worthy romance; and an epic happily-ever-after. Long live the queen!” — Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries “The best new romance I’ve read in a while.” — New York Times Book Review on A Princess in Theory “This book was a lot of fun, sexy, with a compelling story. I really enjoyed the romance as it developed between Ledi and Thabioso, both interesting characters together and as individuals. Lots of erotic tension and a deeply satisfying ending. Definitely dive into this one.” — Roxane Gay on A Princess in Theory “In Cole’s world, royalty and romance go hand in hand with compassion, open-heartedness, and intelligence, as well as a clear-eyed sense of real-world politics. A Princess in Theory is a fairy tale, yes, but one consistently grounded in reality, which makes the happily-ever-after all the more satisfying.” — Entertainment Weekly “Cole’s humorous and delightful romance is perfect for those looking for a fun read with a memorable cast of characters and neurodivergent representation, whether the reader is new to Cole’s work or an established fan.” — Library Journal “Bitingly funny…Cole makes virtuoso use of the familiar rhythms of a romance arc. Joyful and absolutely perfect.” — New York Times “Alyssa Cole is best known for her swoon-worthy romances.” — PopSugar “If you like faux engagements, ultra steamy scenes, and an eventual happily-ever-after, this one’s for you.” — Oprahmag.com "Neuro-divergent nerds…are a highlight of this treat of a story.” — Washington Post (Best Romances of 2019) “Cole includes just the right amount of sass, sex, and heart to satisfy romance readers.” — Publishers Weekly “Alyssa Cole has rightfully garnered acclaim from all corners for the impeccable construction and emotional complexity of her romance novels. But her new novel, A Duke by Default, underscored something about her writing that I think deserves to be celebrated just as much—how joyfully and unrepentantly nerdy her work is.” — BookPage “Cole explores sexual and gender identities, grief, self-respect, acceptance, and love in this faultless romance. She weaves family drama and emotional growth into a passion-filled story worthy of its irresistibly complicated (and diverse) characters. This affair of the heart is deeply satisfying.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “An impressive ending to a series featuring an international cast of complex, multicultural characters balancing their royal responsibilities with their modern lives and loves.” — Booklist (starred review)

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less