Tag Archives: Contemporary M/F Romance

New Release Spotlight

New Release Spotlight: With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson

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A few pages into With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson, which released yesterday from Berkley, and I already knew I had found a new favorite romance. Thompson writes such a great combination of straitlaced, anxious women and the sweet, fun boys who help soften them, but bisexual Asa has his own tough past that involves being rejected at home for being queer. This is one of the rare books that had me laughing, crying (a surprising amount), and very, very much swooning, and I cannot stop shouting about it from the rooftops, so go get yourself a copy! (And if lavender is your preferred cover color, treat yourself to the B&N Exclusive edition!)

Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper for Cold World, a tourist destination that’s always a winter wonderland despite being located in humid Orlando, Florida. Sure, it’s ranked way below any of the trademarked amusement parks and maybe foot traffic could be better. But it’s a fun place to work, even if “fun” isn’t exactly Lauren’s middle name.

Her coworker Asa Williamson, on the other hand, is all about finding ways to enliven his days at Cold World–whether that means organizing the Secret Santa or teasing Lauren. When the owner asks Lauren and Asa to propose something (anything, really) to raise more revenue, their rivalry heats up as they compete to come up with the best idea. But the situation is more dire than they thought, and it might take these polar opposites working together to save the day. If Asa thought Lauren didn’t know how to enjoy herself, he’s surprised by how much he enjoys spending time together. And if Lauren thought Asa wasn’t serious about anything, she’s surprised by how seriously he seems to take her.

As Lauren and Asa work to save their beloved wintery spot, they realize the real attraction might be the heat generating between them.

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N Exclusive

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: For Never & Always by Helena Greer

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Today on the site, we’re revealing the cover for For Never & Always by Helena Greer, a pan and demi second-chance m/f romance releasing November 28th from Forever! Here’s the story:

One surprise inheritance, two best friends (now bitter exes), and three months to prove he loves her, forever and always, in this swoony second-chance romance for fans of Alexandria Bellefleur and Ashley Herring Blake.

Hannah Rosenstein should be happy: after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi “Blue” Matthews: her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner.

When Levi left Carrigan’s, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn’s cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he’s ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he planned: his family’s angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again.

Levi sees his chance when a VIP bride agrees to book Carrigan’s—if he’s the chef. He’ll happily cook for the wedding, and in exchange, Hannah will give him five dates to win her back. Only Hannah doesn’t trust this new Levi, and Levi’s coming to realize Hannah’s grown too. But if they find the courage to learn from the past . . . they just might discover the love of your life is worth waiting for.

And here’s the gorgeous cover by the inimitable Leni Kauffman!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | The Ripped Bodice

Helena Greer writes contemporary romance novels that answer the question, what if this beloved trope were gay? She was born in Tucson, and her heart still lives there although she no longer does. After earning a BA in writing and mythology, and a master’s in library science, she spent several years blogging about librarianship before returning to writing creatively. Helena loves cheesy pop culture, cats without tails, and ancient Greek murderesses. Follow her on Twitter + Instagram @blumagaincurios.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Ben and Beatriz by Katalina Gamarra

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Today on the site I’m thrilled to be sharing the cover of Ben and Beatriz by Katalina Gamarra, a pan m/f reimagining of Much Ado About Nothing releasing from Graydon House on August 2, 2022! Here’s the story:

Beatriz Herrera is a fierce woman who will take you down with her quick wit and keen intellect. And after the results of the 2016 election worked hard to erase her identity as a queer biracial woman, she’d be right to. Especially if you come for her sweet BFF cousin, Hero. Beatriz would do anything for her, a loyalty that lands Beatriz precisely where she doesn’t want to be: spending a week at the ridiculous Cape Cod mansion of stupid-hot playboy Ben Montgomery. The same Ben Montgomery she definitely shouldn’t have hooked up with that one time… The things we do for family.

White and wealthy, Ben talks the talk and walks the walk of privilege, but deep down, he’s wrestling with the politics and expectations of a conservative family he can’t relate to. Though Beatriz’s caustic tongue drives him wild in the very best way, he’s the last person she’d want, because she has zero interest in compromising her identity. But as her and Ben’s assumptions begin to unravel and their hookups turn into something real, they start wondering if it’s still possible to hold space for one another and the inescapable love that unites them.

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And here’s a note from author Katalina Gamarra on the book!

Ben and Beatriz was inspired by both my love of Shakespeare and my own life. Writing this book is how I processed being a person of color unwelcome in a WASP family. It’s how I came to terms with the rude awakening I felt as a millennial under Obama when Trump proved just how easily progress can be undone. It’s how I realized it’s VITAL to keep fighting for what you believe, and to prioritize self-respect over family expectations. This book is how I came to terms with many difficult things in my life. I hope it can do the same for you, or at least entertain you along the way. <3 – Katalina Gamarra, author of Ben and Beatriz

And finally, here’s the marvelously detailed cover (look at that pan pride pin!) illustrated by Bokiba, with design and art direction by Kathleen Oudit!

Buy it: Amazon | IndieBound

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Katalina Gamarra earned a BA in English from Drew University, where she received accolades for both creative writing and academic prowess, as well as an award in Shakespeare Study. Before becoming an author, she worked in bookselling and literary scouting. She lives in Boston with her husband, cat, and dog.