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It is game, set, and match as romances capture readers’ attention and provide swoony delights. Sports romances set pulses racing, romantasy rises, and moms star in rom-coms.
Jamie Wesley is the author of A Legend in the Baking, Fake It Till You Bake It, and the “One-on-One” series. When she’s not writing or reading romance, Jamie can be found watching TV, rooting for her favorite sports teams, or planning her next trip to Disney World. She talks with LJ about the appeal of romance, athletes as protagonists, and favorite tropes.
A gritty crime novel with a pace that never lets up; Mosley’s best work since the incomparable Easy Rawlins series.
This fun, well-written adventure romance from Segura is unputdownable. Perfect for readers who enjoy a slow burn, witty banter, and plot twists and turns.
Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance in this novel.
Bestselling Chuck Wendig returns with a tale of small-town scares and a mysterious staircase to nowhere, while S.A. Barnes offers more space horror; plus multiple terrifying debuts.
Juliette Cross launches a series featuring a dragon shapeshifter, Venessa Vida Kelley debuts with a historical romantasy about a Coney Island merman, and RuNyx offers a twist on the Hades and Persephone myth, set in a dark academia world.
Olivie Blake returns with the story of three telepathically and electrokinetically gifted siblings, and Nghi Vo continues the story of Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby from her acclaimed novel The Chosen and the Beautiful.
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
A solid Pentecost and Parker installment, Spotswood’s newest title takes on another closed-door mystery to great effect. He balances the tension, the red herrings, and the clues well, and fans of the series will be in for a treat. Mystery readers in general would do well to place this series on their TBR lists to enjoy the twists and turns that make these titles a joy to read.
Fans of Armstrong’s debut and other gothic mysteries will appreciate this haunting, intriguing novel.
Stars’s drag-themed cozy mystery debut is a must-purchase. Give it to fans of Kitty Murphy, Rob Osler, and Frank Anthony Polito.
PREMIUM
The Note
Burke’s trademark style creates tension and suspense, but the deeply flawed protagonists might turn off some readers.
PREMIUM
Knife Skills for Beginners
It might disappoint readers seeking a character-led story, but this novel speaks to budding foodies, who will appreciate the recipes and culinary setting, as well as readers who favor a neatly tied-up mystery.
PREMIUM
Haunting and Homicide
Fans of Ellen Byron’s cozies will appreciate this new series centered on an atmospheric, haunted New Orleans.
PREMIUM
Chain Reaction
Byrne’s sequel to Deadlock is a fast-paced, explosive thriller with a charming hero, Russian terrorists on U.S. soil, high-stakes money schemes, and a worthy opponent.
PREMIUM
Pretty Dead Things
Though it can be slow-moving and repetitive, this novel may interest readers who enjoy cold cases with dual timelines.
PREMIUM
Alter Ego
This entertaining sequel vividly depicts the IP-obsessed contemporary comic book world and its threats to comic artists, such as being replaced by artificial intelligence. It’s a compelling setting for Segura’s richly complicated characters, who make up for some clunkiness and contrivance in the plotting.
PREMIUM
The Crime Brûlée Bake Off
Connolly (A Sporting Season), known for romances, ably opens this new ro-mystery series, crafting a slow, charming, sweet fall and filling the case with details of baking, estate living, and reality TV filming.
PREMIUM
She Doesn’t Have a Clue
The dialogue sparkles and the eccentric characters will delight readers. For fans of the movie Knives Out and those who zipped through Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Dial A for Aunties.
As much as Griffiths’s fans will be excited for this collection, mystery readers in general will enjoy these fun mystery and ghost stories. This is a strong purchase for mystery collections.
PREMIUM
They All Fall the Same
The follow-up to Hillbilly Hustle is vicious, violent rural noir, a story of warring Kentucky drug kingpins who are reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys. The language and violence will turn some off, but it may remind readers of S.A. Cosby’s novels, without the humor.
A gritty crime novel with a pace that never lets up; Mosley’s best work since the incomparable Easy Rawlins series.
This atmospheric mystery from a pseudonymous novelist, actor, dramatist, and professor will appeal to readers who enjoy Southern or bookstore settings, quirky characters, and beautiful, descriptive writing.
Tipping her literary cap to Stephen King’s The Shining, Konen serves up a superbly crafted novel of suspense that will thrill and delight fans of Lucy Foley, Alice Feeney, and Sarah Pearse.
PREMIUM
Imposter Syndrome
Readers may find this an unnecessarily complicated puzzle mystery with little real suspense and few memorable characters. The ending will be unanticipated, though perhaps too tricky to fall for.
Fans of Benedict’s previous novels and those who enjoy historical whodunits will find this hard to put down.
Clark follows Fall with the third in the series featuring a complex Black police officer haunted by multiple violent deaths in her life. Characters are well-developed in this hard-hitting police procedural that examines justice, and who metes it out.
Cozies don’t often work when the author removes the amateur sleuth from their usual environment, but Gemma’s gang comes along to comfort series readers. Fans who traveled to London with the crew in There’s a Murder Afoot will enjoy the return.
PREMIUM
Private Rites
The skillfully written familial dynamics and the success of Armfield’s previous novel, Our Wives Under the Sea, make this an easy purchase recommendation for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Apartment Women
Via breezy, engaging storytelling, Gu’s realist novel explores the roles of women, with protagonists who discuss parenting and work-life balance while contending with meeting social, cultural, and societal mores. Readers will eagerly follow this story through to see which couples, if any, succeed in meeting the concept behind this distinctive living situation. A good pick for book clubs.
At times a meditation on romance, reality vs. fantasy, ghosts, and the power of written words, this metaphysical novel examines the questionable value of timekeeping while thoroughly exploring unconditional love, self-imposed constraints, and deaths of one’s body and soul.
PREMIUM
Lazarus Man
Price paints a tableau full of activity, compassion, and complexity that expertly demonstrates how messy and difficult life can be.
PREMIUM
The Greatest Lie of All
This well-written novel evokes other Hollywood-centric fictional biographies, such as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Recommended for readers who enjoy a book that deals with human nature, relationships, heartache, and love; a bit of Hollywood glamour makes it even better.
This fantastical, spectacular, riveting tale is incredibly well-written, and it gives off a vibe that is fiercely intense and consuming. An existential detective thriller from an engaging writer and thinker.
With its elegant plot, endearing characters and subtle humor, this is a lovely Christmas miracle of a book.
A satirical look at the cultish nature of beauty and influencer mentality, Sathue’s debut deserves to be heard. Jackson’s narration pops and snaps the sharp dialogue and alliterative writing like bubblegum. Similarly disturbing tales about the dark side of the beauty industry are Ling Ling Huang’s Natural Beauty and Mona Awad’s Rouge.
PREMIUM
The Twilight Garden
An uplifting story about shared space, shared lives, and the benefits of individuals working together for a common purpose.
PREMIUM
Man’s Best Friend
A disagreeable story about the dubious trade-offs of wealth and privilege. Optional for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Cabaret Macabre
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a richly detailed historical mystery with a classic Christie-esque detective denouement. Recommended for fans of Nicola Upson, Fiona Davis, and Jessica Fellowes.
PREMIUM
All This and More
Despite the thought-provoking premise and outstanding narration, Shepherd’s choose-your-own-adventure novel is somewhat confusing in audio and may be better experienced in print.
PREMIUM
The Wren in the Holly Library
Fans of fairy tales and romantasy will be delighted. Perfect for those who enjoyed the sexy intrigue of Kerri Maniscalco’s Throne of the Fallen.
PREMIUM
Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life
Recommended for all libraries and for reflective listeners seeking tenderly depicted characters who tug at the heartstrings. Perfect for fans of Frances Maynard’s The Seven Rules of Elvira Carr.
Everhart’s (Wanderlust) latest is a perfect love story for cautious wounded hearts who need a bit of hope.
PREMIUM
Ghost Station
Barnes crafts an oppressive space horror that’s equally a psychological and bodily nightmare, with Johnson’s narration providing additional layers of dread. Fans of the Alien film franchise will feel right at home with this title.
PREMIUM
The Stone Home
Harrowing and powerful, this audiobook captures a heartbreaking moment in South Korean history.
PREMIUM
The Astrology House
The fraught relationships, deeply held secrets, and mysteries of astrology might pique the interest of listeners seeking suspense about betrayal and revenge.
PREMIUM
Lavash at First Sight
A great choice for libraries adding to LGBTQIA+ romance collections or wanting to broaden their contemporary romance section.
PREMIUM
The Widow Spy
Recommended for those who enjoyed Greer Macallister’s Girl in Disguise or Eric Lerner’s Pinkerton’s Secret, both of which imagine other adventures with Kate Warne at the center.
PREMIUM
Cross the Line
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a steamy, sporty contemporary romance. Recommended for fans of Elena Armas, Tessa Bailey, and Libby Hubscher.
PREMIUM
Hidden Rooms
Featuring genuinely moving depictions of women facing chronic, mysterious illnesses, this fresh debut will be welcomed by those who love strong women protagonists and small-town mysteries.
PREMIUM
The Witches of Bellinas
Jones’s lyrically written fever dream of a novel turns power and submission upside down, questioning the nature of gender hierarchy, agency, and empowerment. A haunting pick for fans of Nicola Yoon’s One of Our Kind.
PREMIUM
The Sound of Us
Castille’s (Rocco) latest will appeal to fans of Colleen Hoover and readers who enjoy emotional, drama-filled romances.
PREMIUM
For One Night Only
A lyrical dual-POV romance debut that’s perfect for readers who enjoy elements of oral and print storytelling devices, such as in Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but crave a happily-ever-after too.
PREMIUM
The Girl Most Likely To
Tieu (Fancy Meeting You Here) offers a light-hearted, relatable read for those who appreciate second-chance romances and the nuances of family dynamics.
PREMIUM
A Legend in the Baking
This fast-paced second-chance romance from Wesley (Fake It Till You Bake It) is sweet and hot, with a sexy cinnamon-roll hero and a determined, strong-willed heroine.
Another bright and gratifying love story from Cousens (The Good Part). She tackles the enemies-to-lovers trope with characteristic humor and thoughtfulness, while injecting it with complex characters and realistic situations.
While this novel can stand alone, first-time readers will want the entire series. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Love in Bloom
Eden (Cherishing the Goddess) breathes new life into the “city woman moves to the country” trope, with a tender, sexy, and funny book that is sure to be popular.
PREMIUM
Designs on You
A lovely romp from Burton (Housebroke), full of passion, family, and love; perfect for fans of sexy romance with family at its core.
PREMIUM
Between Now and Forever
Written with heart, while showcasing the vulnerability of both characters gently and extremely well, Locke’s (Nothing But It All) latest is a sexy romance full of hope and heartwarming beauty.
PREMIUM
Pick-Up
Readers will love this unique blend of romance and relationship fiction, perfect for fans of Kate Clayborn and Emily Giffin.
PREMIUM
Change of Heart
Ballard (Right on Cue) weaves a fanciful, slow-burn grumpy/sunshine tale, ideal for readers who enjoy escapist romance.
PREMIUM
Wedding Dashers
This emotional and character-driven rom-com by debut writer McBreen is sure to resonate with Emily Henry fans.
This fun, well-written adventure romance from Segura (Raiders of the Lost Heart) is unputdownable. Perfect for readers who enjoy a slow burn, witty banter, and plot twists and turns.
PREMIUM
Zoe Brennan, First Crush
This steamy romance has everything readers could ask for: excellent writing, well-developed characters, an atmospheric setting, and a forced-proximity workplace romance. Fans of Anita Kelly and Ashley Herring Blake will adore Zoe and Laine and clamor for more from Lee (Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair).
PREMIUM
Get Lost with You
Fans of small-town and slow-burn romances will devour this title from Sullivan (Love, Naturally).
PREMIUM
Duchess Material
A historical romance that shines in the growing chemistry between Will and Phoebe and in the depiction of Phoebe’s family dynamics. Match Sullivan’s book with readers who enjoy Victorian romance and appreciate earnest and stubborn heroines.
PREMIUM
Puck and Prejudice
A romance featuring a hockey pro who time travels and enters into a marriage of convenience with Jane Austen’s bestie sounds like a wild concept, and Riley (Virgin Territory) delivers all the fun that readers would expect in this playful, trope-filled diversion.
PREMIUM
Never Planned on You
Ali and Graham’s believable right-person-wrong-time dilemma will resonate with fans of second-chance romances.
PREMIUM
The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right
Highly recommended for fans of historical romances, this is a quick, fun read, featuring clever characters.
PREMIUM
Give Me Butterflies
A companionable romance that emphasizes family and friends, support and mental wellbeing, and building a happy life.
A wonderfully tender and sexy story full of swoon-worthy lines and perfect moments that will elicit smiles, sighs, and tears and keep readers thoroughly invested in the happily-ever-after.
PREMIUM
The Serpent and the Wolf
With intricate worldbuilding and a unique magic system, Robinson draws readers in and delivers a compelling debut that will captivate fans of Nicola Tyche’s North Queen.
Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance in this novel from Sotto Yambao (The Beginning of Always). Highly recommended.
Vaughn’s (Questland) historical fantasy captures both the science and the magic of the natural world, as well as 19th-century sexism. With a unique magic system and engrossing character arcs, this novel will speak to fantasy and lit fic readers alike.
Readers who found the struggle to communicate in Ray Nayler’s The Mountain in the Sea will enjoy the equally fraught miscommunications between the minarchs, the “stickmen,” and the humans, while fans of the classic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Darmok” will find this to be a familiar and similarly complex and heartbreaking tale.
Highly recommended for readers who love mythological retellings like Madeline Miller’s Circe or those who enjoy tales of fierce women seizing control of their own destiny.
PREMIUM
Twisted Shadows
Will satisfy those looking for more momentum in the series’ central romance as well as fans compelled by the investigation. Second-act revelations will have readers clamoring for the next installment; those new to the series should begin with book one, Liar City.
PREMIUM
A Sky of Emerald Stars
This sequel to A River of Golden Bones carries forward its intriguing relationships and high-stakes adventures, along with exploring gender and race in a high-fantasy setting.
Lakshminarayan (The Ten Percent Thief) offers an engaging story that dives into themes about the appreciation of food, colonization, and xenophobia and features two morally gray queer women attempting to find their footing with each other.
PREMIUM
At the Fount of Creation
Readers still reeling from the plummet off the edge of the cliff-hanger ending of the first book will be desperate to get their hands on this epic conclusion to the “Guardians of the Gods” duology, while those who have loved the African-inspired epic stories of lies, secrets, and powerful tricksters found in the works of Moses Ose Utomi and Nnedi Okorafor will be thrilled to add Ogundiran to their lists of must-reads.
Even as the character arcs pack emotional punches and the plot builds with intensity, the story is balanced with the humor and wry character introspection Klune (In the Lives of Puppets) is known for. Previously self-published, this reissued stand-alone only solidifies Klune’s reputation for skillful prose and worldbuilding.
Leong’s debut is a delightful cozy fantasy that will appeal to fans of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and A Pirate’s Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne.
PREMIUM
How To Steal a Galaxy
Readers who love an old-fashioned heist story, anyone who loves witty, banter-driven romps, and those who have gotten caught up in SF/mystery stories, such as The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal or Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis, will love the fluffy but ultimately dangerous misdirection of this one.
PREMIUM
Boudicca
The real history of the red-haired warrior queen is given new life in Cast’s (Out of the Dawn) well-told reimagining and worldbuilding, with prose that allows readers to see both a battle-hardened leader and a mother fighting for those she loves.
PREMIUM
The Shiver Tree
Searcy’s debut novel is a fun romp that will feel nostalgic to players of Dungeons & Dragons, as it seems to be the first adventure in a larger campaign. This will appeal to readers (teens and up) who love a good fantasy with a mix of humor and interesting worldbuilding.
Even those well versed in slashers and their tropes will be surprised by the directions Jones takes. Readable both as representative of slasher films and book and as an exploration of the rules of the genre, this novel will have wide appeal to readers who are new to Jones’s work as well as established fans. Recommended as a contrast for fans of recent “final girl” books like the ones by Grady Hendrix and Riley Sager and readers who enjoyed The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay.
This novel is effective in innumerable ways, particularly with its attention to the generational gap and the emotional disconnection created by the internet. Pargin’s deft combination of mystery and satire will appeal to the YA audience and to older readers.
New books from bestselling Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez, queer romances from Jasmine Guillory and Meryl Wilsner, and second series entries from India Holton and Eloisa James.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
Bittersweet, tender, and ruthless, Bradley’s captivating debut examines the personal frictions between people, between global and personal understanding, and within one’s self.
Set in Korea, these stories give readers a hard look at the universality found among humans. This is another winner for Cho and a good selection for readers who are looking for bite-sized stories to ponder. These brief stories pack quite a bit into their narratives.
PREMIUM
Rolling Toward Clear Skies
A complex human story told in Hyde’s straightforward style, with plenty to discuss and disagree over in book groups.
This might not be for those who prefer their horror to have a certain amount of creatures or carnage, but it’s a must read for readers looking to explore human evil through fiction.
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