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Overkill, by Sandra Brown (Grand Central), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
PREMIUM
You’re Invited
Recommend to those who liked Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies or Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.
Like My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, Bhat’s novel shows how life-altering and destructive sexual abuse can be. Unlike the protagonist of Russell’s book, Nina is less obsessed and broken, but damaged nonetheless.
Worthy of being mentioned alongside his horror contemporaries like Joe Hill, Stephen Graham Jones, and Paul Tremblay, Musolino is a writer whose stories are a dark journey through the shadowy Italian countryside, the depths of human despair, and the heights of imagination.
PREMIUM
The Genesis of Misery
An interesting start to this expected trilogy and a definite must-add for science fiction collections.
LJ focuses on the most promising debut novels for fall, with titles ranging widely in theme and genre.
The Family Remains, by Lisa Jewell (Atria), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
This first in a series from Winters (Second Chance with His Princess) is a fast-paced and sweet romance with a beautiful and scenic Parisian setting.
PREMIUM
Wealth Management
The chapters are unusually short, enabling Zuckerman to keep a lot of thematic balls in the air; he really hits his stride in his first time out, telling a story torn from the headlines with a quick-read focus.
PREMIUM
Her Highlander for One Night
Brisbin (The Highlander’s Inconvenient Bride) shines in this tropey, meant-to-be romance that is perfect for fans of hot-and-heavy highlander stories.
PREMIUM
Murder on the Vine
Fans of David P. Wagner’s Italian mysteries will appreciate the lush descriptions of food and wine in Trinchieri’s third atmospheric “Tuscan Mystery” (following The Bitter Taste of Murder). The complicated personal relationships (helpfully elucidated in the book’s list of characters) add to the enjoyment.
PREMIUM
Reunion at Greystone Manor
Unfortunately, this stand-alone novel from Vanek (Rescue from Darkness) has a convoluted plot and a rather unconvincing second-chance romance.
PREMIUM
Dead on Arrival
Libraries will find this book from Severn (Dead Giveaway) an excellent addition to their Harlequin collection.
PREMIUM
The Marriage That Made Her Queen
Anthony does an excellent job of developing characters and backstory, but perhaps a fresh story line would keep readers more engaged.
PREMIUM
Protected by the Texas Rancher
Though the romance is a bit stronger than the suspense with this one, readers who have enjoyed Whiddon’s (Texas Rancher’s Hidden Danger) other Getaway, TX, novels will be satisfied with this one as well.
Singh Sasson has a gift for depicting close-knit family bonds and showing the importance of resolving familial trauma before a romantic relationship can thrive.
PREMIUM
My Year with the Billionaire
A second-chance romance with the twist of enemies-to-lovers, this contemporary novel from Stewart (The Billionaire Behind the Headlines) will have readers rooting for Summer and Edward from the first page.
Bryant’s (An Offer from Mr. Wrong) surprise-pregnancy story succeeds on the strength of the characters.
PREMIUM
Awakened by the Wild Billionaire
Romance readers will be interested in Mason’s first novel that is sure to draw in the contemporary reading fans.
McKenna once again combines business and personal matters in the resolution of the love story, fitting for characters who need to make the leap from a professional to a personal relationship.
PREMIUM
Falling for His Stand-In Fiancée
The latest from Milne (Second Chance in Sri Lanka) is a modern marriage-of-convenience story with genuine characters that will leave readers wanting more.
PREMIUM
Escape from Ice Mountain
The latest from Miles (Gaslighted in Colorado) could have better dialogue and characterization and features a relationship that feels a bit forced.
PREMIUM
May the Best Duke Win
In this debut novel, Belgado uses a feminist lens on the historical romance genre. Her sumptuous writing brings drama and a little bit of spice to the forced-marriage and single-forever tropes that readers know and love.
PREMIUM
Claimed by Her Greek Boss
The latest from Lawrence (Innocent in the Sicilian’s Palazzo) is a passionate love story that will draw in Harlequin fans.
PREMIUM
Their Desert Night of Scandal
Readers will flock to this well-written, international romance.
Readers might wish that Maynard (Staking a Claim) had focused more on building the emotional connection between her characters, instead of bridging the emotional gaps with a series of increasingly intense outside incidents, to but they ultimately work as catalysts for the characters to acknowledge the full depth of their feelings.
PREMIUM
The King’s Christmas Heir
Well-plotted and developed, this would be an excellent addition to any collection.
Yates nicely depicts the slowly developing trust between the characters, and though the road is long, the happy ending is deserved.
PREMIUM
Captured on Kauai
While the writing is occasionally stilted, Flowers’s love of Hawai‘i and background as a criminologist make an impact. .
This is a steamier series than Shepherd’s previous books and is complemented by detailed characters and a strong understanding of trope pitfalls.
PREMIUM
How To Woo a Wallflower
Heath’s (The Earl’s Inconvenient Houseguest) series launch, with a slow-burn romance and a heroine with a disability, is sure to woo fans of Regency romances; both leads are well-drawn and relatable.
A fun take on the friends-to-lovers trope from Darkins (Rules of Their Parisian Fling). Ally and Caleb will have everyone falling in love with their story.
PREMIUM
Cowboy Justice at Whiskey Gulch
Best for those who enjoy dramatic story lines or fans who want to continue the “Outriders” series, after Missing Witness at Whiskey Gulch.
PREMIUM
Colton’s Rogue Investigation
Overall, the romance and the suspense are rather tepid, making this an unobjectionable but also uninspiring read.
PREMIUM
Stranded with His Runaway Bride
Recommend Howells’s (Desert Prince’s Defiant Bride) must-read to those who enjoy royal wedding tales.
Bound to appeal only to the most die-hard series fans, the latest “Cavanaugh Justice” book (after Cavanaugh Justice: Up Close and Deadly) suffers from both a lackluster romance and an improbably motivated villain who doesn’t even make an appearance until the last chapter.
PREMIUM
Montana Wilderness Pursuit
Purchase for fans of Winters’s “STEALTH: Shadow Team” series, whose previous installment was Lone Wolf Bounty Hunter.
PREMIUM
The Lost Hart Triplet
This series launch from Helm (Undercover Rescue) is a highlight of this month’s offerings.
Agatha Award winner Flower’s (“Amish Candy Shop” and “Magical Bookshop” series) first historical mystery introduces a courageous Emily Dickinson as a protagonist who’s stronger than expected. The thoughtful story involving class, social, and political issues may appeal to the poet’s fans, as well as readers of Edith Maxwell’s “Quaker Midwife Mysteries” series.
PREMIUM
A Pretend Match for the Viscount
In this classic Regency romance, Martin (The Marquess Meets His Match) explores the nuances of society life, the delicacy of the position of women at the time, and the joy of unexpected romance.
PREMIUM
Secrets of Her Forbidden Knight
Matthews is a master of atmosphere, diligently researching the medieval era and making it easy for the reader to envision the setting and characters entirely. This title is full of lush prose and delicious suspense that are sure to entertain and ensnare readers, especially fans of the fake-engagement trope.
Fields’s seventh Josie Gray mystery is a timely police procedural that deals with current issues from border policing to election tampering. Suggest for readers who appreciate atmospheric procedurals that capitalize on setting.
PREMIUM
The Last Karankawas
Populated by indelible characters, this graceful, deeply compassionate work is a moving study of memory, the permeable boundaries it shares with myth, how it roils and folds and persists into the present, and how we are often forced to choose between learning to live inside it and trying to outrun it.
Indian political history is effectively played out in this intense, focused debut, with Razak’s eloquent writing making historical events seem like they are just taking place now.
Black Dog, by Stuart Woods (Putnam), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
Anglophiles and history buffs will enjoy seeing inside the lives of the royal family and find inspiration in Louise’s strength. Readers of Marie Benedict and Melanie Benjamin will want to scoop up Blalock’s (The Other Windsor Girl) latest.
Fans of James Bond will definitely want to check out this novel. Readers of Ben MacIntyre’s Operation Mincemeat may also enjoy Wells’s take on this. This title features the usual cast, but due to its telling from the viewpoints of two charismatic women, it offers a fresh women-centric perspective not always found hand in hand with military themes.
PREMIUM
Signal Fires
Creator of the popular podcast Family Secrets, acclaimed novelist/memoirist Shapiro (Inheritance) writes with compassion and a deep understanding of the damage that secrets wreak. Shapiro’s first novel in 15 years was well worth the wait.
PREMIUM
My Government Means To Kill Me
Unfortunately, the raw, powerful immediacy of the novel is too often interrupted by a didactic distraction that mostly functions to distance the reader from the action, but Newson’s reputation as a TV writer/showrunner (Bel-Air) will attract attention.
A richly imagined work of historical women’s fiction incorporating themes of diversity and equality very relevant today, this thrilling debut will give book clubs much to discuss.
PREMIUM
Take It from Me
Many women will see aspects of themselves here in this relatable women’s fiction from Beck (The Happy Accidents). It should appeal to book clubs and readers who enjoy books by Danielle Steel or Kristin Hannah.
In this poignant novel, Emmons reveals how people react under high levels of stress, capturing the reader’s imagination as she moves in an unexpected direction. Excellent for book discussion groups.
PREMIUM
About Face
An insightful, wild, and wildly appealing romp that zeros in on the all-consuming nature of celebrity in the social media–fueled environment of the 21st century.
Ng’s beautiful yet chilling tale will resonate with readers who enjoyed Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Jessamine Chan’s more recent School for Good Mothers. As with her previous novels, her storytelling will not disappoint.
PREMIUM
Afterlives
Will appeal to aficionados of historical fiction but could leave others yearning for a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations for their sometimes inexplicable actions. Still, the Nobel Prize bestowed renewed international acclaim on Gurnah’s body of work, making this novel a must-have.
Reid (Daisy Jones & the Six) has written another knockout of a book. Public libraries will need multiple copies.
PREMIUM
The Mitford Affair
Benedict captures the mood of a certain element of upper-class England in the years leading up to World War II. Appearances by historical figures like Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh round out the story. Fans of World War II historical fiction will be fascinated.
From the author of Big Girl, Small Town, this novel is a wonder; the heroine is cheeky, the humor dark, the dialect thick, the sorrow palpable. Fans of Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast and television’s Derry Girls will find much to love.
PREMIUM
The Wilderwomen
Reminiscent of Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lang focuses the main characters’ journey toward finding and cherishing family and friendship under challenging circumstances.
PREMIUM
The Goddess Effect
This is a funny and fresh coming-of-age tale. Recommended for readers of Elin Hilderbrand or Jennifer Weiner.
Cuban American Escudero (The Apology Project) writes a sometimes gritty, occasionally hilarious, and mostly heart-wrenching story. A relatable, gripping tale, infused with Latinx culture, that packs an emotional wallop.
A story of the desperation and ultimate impossibility of isolation, Dee’s narrative is a spider web of questions that won’t let readers go, questions like where does insanity begin and end? Readers of Dee’s earlier novels will not want to miss this page-turner.
PREMIUM
Emergency
The pandemic provides a lens through which Hildyard’s narrator assembles a pastiche of memories. This quiet, well-written novel, which has a surprise ending, is worth a look.
PREMIUM
Among Wolves
Readers will find 50 shades of domestic suspense in this sexy thriller focused on unreliable narrators and cheating spouses. Regular readers of the genre will likely have the twist figured out long before the ending, but they will enjoy the journey. Recommended for readers of Tarryn Fisher or Shari Lapena.
The tension and foreboding builds gradually in this outstanding gothic debut, allowing readers to savor Ann’s voice. The disturbing account plays with class differences and women friendship, set against a medieval, academic atmosphere sheltered from the city.
PREMIUM
Behind Her Lives
Cole’s characters are well developed and compelling. Fans of B. A. Paris and Liv Constantine will enjoy this book.
PREMIUM
No Strangers Here
Known for her cozies, O’Connor (“Home to Ireland” and “Irish Village” series) moves into darker territory here. For fans of Louise Penny.
PREMIUM
Marple: Twelve New Mysteries
Readers will be eager to try this anthology as a dozen celebrated crime fiction authors try their hand at writing traditional short stories featuring Christie’s amateur sleuth. As in any collection, some stories stand out, but they all capture the character of the shrewd, always underestimated Miss Marple.
Add another wise, experienced senior sleuth to a group that includes Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club” series and even Miss Marple. De Castrique’s (“Blackman Agency Investigations” series) quirky characters and offbeat twists will appeal to Osman’s readers.
PREMIUM
Flight Risk
This lighthearted mystery with its travel agent/psychic and her occasional, unofficial partner is a good choice for cozy mystery lovers, animal lovers, and fans of the author. Recommended.
Hunt’s debut is fun, fast-paced, cutting-edge, and full of epic twists, with a highly accessible writing style. Fans of Andy Weir and Martha Wells will love it.
PREMIUM
The Kiss Curse
Featuring an opposites-attract romance, this fun, light read has the perfect blend of humor, chemistry, and mystery to keep readers turning pages long into the night.
PREMIUM
The Registration
Lawson delivers a compelling dystopian near-future tale with plenty of meaty subject matter and slightly inconsistent pacing. For readers who enjoy their sci-fi with a side of moral quandary.
PREMIUM
Buried Deception
Although readers might have a hard time buying into Easton professing his love after only knowing Mia a few days, McKinney’s (Her Mercenary) completely absorbing suspense and low heat converge to make a satisfying read in this series launch.
Vo’s (The Chosen and the Beautiful; Siren Queen) latest is highly recommended for readers of the previous books in the series and anyone who likes high fantasy inspired by Imperial China or wuxia movies and stories.
PREMIUM
Lucky Streak
Marcelo’s latest “Heart Resort” installment (following Know You by Heart) is a heartwarming story about family, perfect for fans of Sarah Echavarre Smith and Kelsey Rodkey.
Pokwatka’s debut is a unique and well-plotted story with many twists and turns. Recommended for science fiction fans, but it will also appeal to a wider audience.
PREMIUM
Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake
This is a must-read steamy romance that is filled with personal growth, supportive, healthy relationships and friendships, and a message that the way in which someone thinks doesn’t determine their value, because everyone deserves to be loved as they are.
PREMIUM
Deploying Dragons
Full of thrilling invention and discovery and show-stealing dragons, this one is for every reader who’s ever dreamed of riding or at least training their very own winged beast.
PREMIUM
Never Rescue a Rogue
Heath’s engaging second book in the “Merriwell Sisters” series (following Never Fall for Your Fiancée) flips the script and gives readers a lovable duke in distress who needs to be rescued by a smart and witty heroine.
Kowal’s comedy-of-manners SF mystery is a rollicking case of knowing when to throw decorum out the window in order to get results. Highly recommended for fans of the author’s Regency fantasy series “The Glamourist Histories,” as well as anyone who loves a good mystery in an out-of-this-world setting.
Lafferty (Hugo-nominated for Six Wakes) creates a clever and suspenseful sci-fi mystery, with intriguing characters and attentive worldbuilding.
PREMIUM
Something in the Heir
This will appeal to readers who are looking for a light romance that centers children and parenthood as integral to a happy relationship.
With storylines that explore family trauma and immigration struggles, this deeply emotional and epic romance from Igharo (The Sweetest Remedy) will appeal to readers who enjoy the second chance trope, along with fans of Bolu Babalola and Alyssa Cole.
PREMIUM
My Dearest Duke
Vayden’s second book in the “Cambridge Brotherhood” series (following Fortune Favors the Duke) is a closed-door Regency-era romance with Christian elements that contains lovely writing and some surprisingly heavy themes, especially regarding mental illness, which is identified as dementia in the afterword.
PREMIUM
50 Ways To Win Back Your Lover
Fans of Colleen Hoover, Alison Bliss, and Chelle Sloan will be drawn to this delightfully entertaining and insightful romance.
PREMIUM
Built To Last
In her adult debut, Hahn (Never Saw You Coming) successfully brings likable protagonists to life in this character-driven second-chance romance, perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey. Recommended for general purchase where rom-coms are popular.
PREMIUM
The Mountain in the Sea
Drawing on decades of experience in overseas service (including time with the United States Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), Nayler infuses his debut novel with fantastic elements grounded in real contemporary topics and tackles moral issues related to artificial and animal intelligence without sacrificing plot or pacing. This is a classic sci-fi thriller that’s easy to read and will have broad appeal for fans of speculative fiction.
PREMIUM
One Dark Window
A finely detailed magical system enriches Gillig’s debut; fantasy readers will enjoy.
Replete with beautiful metaphors and lyrical prose, poet and folklorist Nethercott’s (The Lumberjack’s Dove) debut novel deploys her poetic storytelling powers to spotlight the struggle against oppression. This modern-day fairy tale will ignite greater understanding of an individual’s ability to incite change with the stories they tell.
PREMIUM
Court of the Vampire Queen
Robert’s (Wicked Beauty) spicy polyamorous romance is perfect for lovers of dark plots who are tired of traditional vampire love stories and aren’t squeamish about a little blood.
PREMIUM
When in Rome
Featuring protagonists with sizzling, slow-burn chemistry and a small town of quirky, delightfully meddlesome residents, Adams’s (The Cheat Sheet) charming opposites-attract romance is sure to capture readers’ hearts.
PREMIUM
Witchful Thinking
A charming paranormal romance that will make readers want to stay and fall in love in Martin’s fictional Jersey Shore town and wish alongside its resident witches.
PREMIUM
Ledge
McEwan, a popular figure on BookTok, has written an ambitious fantasy debut. The plot and worldbuilding are thoroughly fleshed out and make this novel a great start to the “Glacian Trilogy.”
PREMIUM
To Capture His Heart
Allen once again combines love and mystery in her second “Matchmakers” series installment (following The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart). Readers will enjoy how the intrigue and romance increase in tandem, ratcheting up the suspense, while Eva’s competent demeanor that hides a bruised heart makes this love story all the more touching.
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