Hello, fellow book lovers! There are plenty of new books now available or coming this November that may pique your interest. From Patti Callahan’s new historical fiction novel, Once Upon a Wardrobe, getting rave reviews to numerous sweet holiday rom-coms like The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox.
If you’re looking for smart or sweet (or both) books to read, you can’t go wrong with the list of our most anticipated reads we chose below!
For your interest (and to see if our regular book lists match your interests), our best of new book lists focus mainly on these genres/subgenres:
- Austenesque
- Classic Literature (usually with exciting new covers or forewards)
- Clean & Wholesome Romance
- Fairy Tales
- Fantasy (and many of the sub-genres like Gaslamp)
- Gothic Romance
- Historical Fiction
- Historical Romance
- Literary Fiction (usually with some type of love story!)
- Paranormal Romance
- Romance
- Romantic Mystery (often cozier)/Romantic Suspense
- Rom-Com
- Women’s Fiction
- YA Fiction (typically fantasy/paranormal, romance, or historical)
ROMANCE STEAM LEVELS
While there are numerous romance ratings based on steam level, our interpretation at The Silver Petticoat Review is that one is the equivalent of a G movie like Hallmark.
A two is a sweet read on the PG level, which might include more kissing or fade to black moments with implied sensuality.
A three might include a sex scene or two, but they are more emotional and not the book’s focus.
A four can be very explicit but still have a story beyond the bedroom scenes, while five heads into the erotica category.
We focus on steam levels one through three (with a heavier emphasis on ones and twos). The fours are only included as rare exceptions for artistic, audience, or genre interest. We never have fives on our site.
Well, we hope you enjoy our choices for the best new book releases for October and November 2021. We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to!
Make sure to subscribe as we’ll release our best new book lists every other month!
Happy reading, everyone!
(Note: We haven’t read all of these books. We based our selections on research and what sounds appealing to us and Silver Petticoat readers! We cannot guarantee the quality or content of the books. That said, we have done our best to research the content so you can know what to expect – without spoilers, of course.)
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, meaning we may earn a commission if you purchase from one of our links. If you see a * next to a link, that means it is an affiliate link. As The Silver Petticoat Review owners, we select products we love and think you’ll like too. Please read our disclosure for more information.
The Best New Book Releases for October and November 2021
(In Alphabetical Order)
#1 All That Is Secret (An Annalee Spain Mystery Book 1) by Patricia Raybon
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance
From award-winning author Patricia Raybon comes a compelling new historical mystery series, a riveting puzzle confronting the hidden secrets of class, race, family, and love.
Can an amateur detective solve the cold case mystery of her lost father’s murder?
In the winter of 1923, Professor Annalee Spain—a daring but overworked theologian at a small Chicago Bible college—receives a cryptic telegram calling her home to Denver to solve the mystery of the murder of her beloved but estranged father.
For a young Black woman, searching for answers in a city ruled by the KKK could mean real danger. Still, with her literary hero Sherlock Holmes as inspiration, Annalee launches her hunt for clues, attracting two surprising allies: Eddie, a relentless young white boy searching for his missing father, and Jack, a handsome Black pastor who loves nightclub dancing and rides in his sporty car, awakening Annalee’s heart to the surprising highs and lows of romantic love.
With their help, Annalee follows clues that land her among Denver’s powerful elite. But when their sleuthing unravels sinister motives and deep secrets, Annalee confronts the dangerous truths and beliefs that could make her a victim too.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Sometimes, you just want a cozy historical mystery with a swoony love story to keep you reading all night! All That is Secret is a great choice! This new historical/Christian fiction book comes from the award-winning author Patricia Raybon, and it is a page-turner!
The story follows the young amateur female detective, Annalee Spain, who sets out to solve the mystery of her father’s murder in 1923.
She crosses paths with the handsome black pastor, Jack, and the sweet street boy, Eddie, and together they face Denver’s corrupt and racist elite to solve the mystery.
It’s a suspenseful book, and while there is some mild violence and racism, the romance aspect is entirely wholesome. For more, check out our book review!
Now Available
#2 And They Lived Happily Ever After by Therese Beharrie
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction, Rom-Com
From acclaimed South African author Therese Beharrie, this #OwnVoices rom-com about a romance novelist with a touch of magic is loaded with heart, heat, and smart, sexy banter, while also addressing timely, weighty issues around the foster care system, mental health, and the power of creativity.
In this sparkling new novel, acclaimed author Therese Beharrie delivers a delightfully magical romantic comedy about a woman literally living her dreams—and maybe conjuring a real-life hero …
One unexpected kiss…
A lonely childhood in foster care taught Gaia Anders that the only thing she could trust was her dream life. Now a successful romance author, Gaia has the best of two worlds. Anything she dreams at night is magically written into her bestselling novels. Nothing real can compare—until she get caught up in one utterly surprising, crazy-passionate, waking-life kiss…
One near-perfect guy…
Workaholic businessman Jacob Scott has had a crush on his brother’s best friend, Gaia, since forever, but he never expected this explosive desire. Or that living out his and Gaia’s sexiest fantasies in their now-shared dreams would turn his single-minded ways upside down—and make him want all of the woman behind them…
One dream that could come true…
But Gaia has secrets from her past she won’t reveal. And Jacob’s attempts to keep the peace in his own fractured family put him up against her deepest fears. Now, they must somehow face hard truths about who they are and what they’re running from. And the only way to break this spell means realizing real-life true love’s power…
Why You Should Check it Out:
Beharrie brings us new unforgettable characters in an emotional rom-com with a touch of magic!
Gaia Anders is a bestselling romance novelist with a special gift – she can dream new stories into existence. With a difficult childhood, Anders enjoys her dreams more than real life – until she shares a fantastic kiss with businessman Jacob Scott – her best friend’s brother.
It’s a story about true love. Just be warned that serious topics are in this book, like anxiety and other mental health discussions. And you’ll only want to read this one if you don’t mind a PG-13 level of steam.
Available November 30
#3 Anticipation by Melodie Winawer
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance, Women’s Fiction
From the author of the “engrossing historical epic” (Booklist) The Scribe of Siena comes a thrilling tale set in the crumbling city of Mystras, Greece, in which a scientist’s vacation with her young son quickly turns into a fight for their lives after they cross paths with a man out of time.
After the death of her beloved husband and becoming a single parent to her nine-year-old son Alexander, overworked scientist Helen desperately needs an escape. So when Alexander proposes a trip to Greece—somewhere he’s always dreamed of visiting—Helen quickly agrees.
After spending several days exploring the tourist-filled streets, they stumble upon the ancient city of Mystras and are instantly drawn to it. Its only resident is Elias, a mysterious tour guide living on the city’s edges…both physically and temporally.
In 1237, Elias’s mother promised his eternal service to the Profitis Ilias in Mystras in exchange for surviving a terrible illness. But during his 800 years of labor, he’s had one common enemy: the noble Lusignan family. The Lusignan line is cursed by a deadly disease that worsens with each generation, and a prophecy hints that Elias’s blood is their only hope for a cure. He has managed to survive throughout the centuries, but the line has dwindled down to the last Lusignan and he is desperate to avert his family’s destiny.
When Elias runs into Helen, he meets his match for the first time—but he unwittingly puts both her and her young son in danger as a result. With time running out and an enemy after them, Elias and Helen are forced to choose between the city they love, and each other.
Blending the historical romance of Diana Gabaldon, the rich detail of Philippa Gregory’s novels, and Dan Brown’s fast-paced suspense, Anticipation is a thrilling and satisfying read like no other.
Why You Should Check it Out:
This new release is said to have the perfect combination of history and suspense! If you read Winawer’s previous time travel romance, The Scribe of Siena, you’ll probably enjoy her latest book – especially if well-researched historical fiction books appeal to you!
The content is unclear but based on her previous book, it could have a PG-13-like feel.
Now Available
#4 Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Witches, Magical Realism, Romance
Master storyteller Alice Hoffman brings us the conclusion of the Practical Magic series in a spellbinding and enchanting final Owens novel brimming with lyric beauty and vivid characters.
The Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for over three-hundred years but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger—the curse is already at work.
A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.
The Book of Magic is a breathtaking conclusion that celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Alice Hoffman is a gifted storyteller who has written many bestsellers! If you’re a fan of the Practical Magic books (or movie), you’ll want to read this to discover what happens to all the characters! Make sure you have tissues on hand.
Now Available
#5 The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller
Genres: Historical Romance, Paranormal/Ghosts, Victorian, Paranormal Romance
Diana Biller’s The Brightest Star in Paris is a thrilling story of first loves and second chances.
She never expected her first love to return, but is he here to stay?
Amelie St. James is a fraud. After the Siege of Paris, she became “St. Amie,” the sweet, virtuous prima ballerina the Paris Opera Ballet needed to restore its scandalous reputation, all to protect the safe life she has struggled to build for her and her sister. But when her first love reappears looking as devastatingly handsome as ever, and the ghosts of her past quite literally come back to haunt her, her hard-fought safety is thrown into chaos.
Dr. Benedict Moore has never forgotten the girl who helped him embrace life after he almost lost his. Now, years later, he’s back in Paris. His goals are to recruit promising new scientists, and maybe to see Amelie again. When he discovers she’s in trouble, he’s desperate to help her—and hold her in his arms.
When she finally agrees to let him help, they disguise their time together with a fake courtship. Soon, with the help of an ill-advised but steamy kiss, old feelings reignite. Except, their lives are an ocean apart. Will they be able to make it out with their hearts intact?
Why You Should Check it Out:
It’s a lovely historical ghost story (with good reviews) about love, memory, and the power of grief. If you’re a fan of paranormal romance and second-chance love stories, this one’s for you. Be warned, there is one sex scene.
Now Available
#6 The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, Small Town, Friendship
Perfect for the holidays! A brand-new heartwarming Christmas novel from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner and Christmas at the Island Hotel.
Laid off from her department store job, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. The prospect of spending Christmas with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered yuppie life does not appeal.
Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want her prickly sister Carmen there either. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs help revitalizing his shabby old bookshop. So Carmen moves in and takes the job.
Thrown rather suddenly into the inner workings of Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the picturesque streets of historic Edinburgh, Carmen is intrigued despite herself. The store is dusty and disorganized but undeniably charming. Can she breathe some new life into it in time for Christmas shopping? What will happen when a famous and charismatic author takes a sudden interest in the bookshop—and Carmen? And will the Christmas spirit be enough to help heal her fractured family?
Why You Should Check it Out:
The Christmas Bookshop is the perfect holiday read about sisters, new beginnings, fabulous books, and new romances. Plus, it takes place in the gorgeous and cozy setting of Edinburgh during Christmas!
Read this one if you’re looking for an enchanting, cute, well-written Christmas book that has excellent reviews!
Now Available
#7 The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
An enchanted Christmas dress brings two generations of women together for the magic of the season in this delightful holiday story from author Courtney Cole.
One Dress. Two Women. The Magic of the Holiday Season.
When hopeful fashionista Meg Julliard must return to her hometown of Chicago to manage her late father’s apartment building, she thinks her dreams of making it in the fashion business are over. Add in her father’s eclectic roster of tenants who all need Meg’s attention (ASAP!), a host of building related disasters, and a handsome handyman she keeps embarrassing herself in front of, and this has all the makings for the worst Christmas she’s ever had.
Ellie Wade, one of the building’s longtime residents, is also not feeling the Christmas Joy this year. She is preparing to move into a nursing home (reluctantly), and is in the process of sorting through her belongings to downsize. Every corner of her apartment holds memories, some good, some bad. But there’s one dress she hesitates to pack up as it represents both the best and worst night of her life.
Ellie and Meg strike up an unlikely friendship and the story of Ellie’s dress comes out. Ellie gifts the gorgeous dress to Meg, hoping that it will bring her more luck, on the condition that she wear it to the building’s Christmas party.
The dress magically fits, and while it eventually leads to the best night of Meg’s life, it also acts as inspiration for Meg to follow a life-long dream of her own, a dream that will help save the crumbling Parkview West, and restore it to its former glory, and keep it as a safe home for all of the current tenants.
The dress and the magic of the holiday season helps both Meg and Ellie find their own happy endings.
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you love clean, holiday romances and vintage fashion, then this new release will be right up your alley. Expect happily ever afters and a fast, quick read.
Hallmark fans, this one is for you.
Now Available
#8 City Of Time And Magic by Paula Brackston
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Time Travel, Witches, Romance
Xanthe meets Brackston’s most famous heroine, Elizabeth Hawksmith from The Witch’s Daughter, in this crossover story with all the “historical detail, village charm, and twisty plotting” of the Found Things series (Publishers Weekly).
City of Time and Magic sees Xanthe face her greatest challenges yet. She must choose from three treasures that sing to her; a beautiful writing slope, a mourning brooch of heartbreaking detail, and a gorgeous gem-set hat pin. All call her, but the wrong one could take her on a mission other than that which she must address first, and the stakes could not be higher. While her earlier mission to Regency England had been a success, the journey home resulted in Liam being taken from her, spirited away to another time and place. Xanthe must follow the treasure that will take her to him if he is not to be lost forever.
Xanthe is certain that Mistress Flyte has Liam and determined to find them both. But when she discovers Lydia Flyte has been tracking the actions of the Visionary Society, a group of ruthless and unscrupulous Spinners who have been selling their talents to a club of wealthy clients, Xanthe realizes her work as a Spinner must come before her personal wishes. The Visionary Society is highly dangerous and directly opposed to the creed of the Spinners. Their actions could have disastrous consequences as they alter the authentic order of things and change the future. Xanthe knows she must take on the Society. It will require the skills of all her friends, old and new, to attempt such a thing, and not all of them will survive the confrontation that follows.
Why You Should Check it Out:
This is the anticipated next book in the Found Things Series that fans have been waiting for. Brackston’s new addition to the series should be a fabulous read for all historical fiction, romance, and fantasy lovers.
If you’re new to the series, you should consider checking all the books out if you’re seeking out a time travel romance with well-researched historical detail like Outlander but without excessive violence and sexuality.
Available November 23
#9 Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
A special holiday wish list brings about hope, love, and second chances in this nostalgic novel from the queen of Christmas stories, Debbie Macomber.
Lindy Carmichael isn’t feeling particularly joyful when she returns home to Wenatchee, Washington, for Christmas. The man she thought was “the one” has cheated on her with her best friend, and she feels completely devoid of creativity in her graphic-design job. Not even carolers or Christmas cookies can cheer her up—but Lindy’s mother, Ellen, remembers an old tradition that might lift her daughter’s spirits.
Reading through a box of childhood letters to Santa and reminiscing about what she’d wished for as a young girl may be just the inspiration Lindy needs. With Ellen’s encouragement, she decides to write a new letter to Santa, one that will encourage her to have faith and believe just as she’d done all those years ago. Little does Lindy know that this exercise in gratitude will cause her wishes to unfold before her in miraculous ways. And, thanks to some fateful twists of Christmas magic—especially an unexpected connection with a handsome former classmate—Lindy ultimately realizes that there is truly no place like home for the holidays.
In Dear Santa, Debbie Macomber celebrates the joys of Christmas blessings, old and new.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Debbie Macomber is back with another sweet holiday romance that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Dear Santa is the type of book you’ll want to curl up with by a fire on Christmas Eve, if only for the enchanting holiday setting! This is overall a clean romance.
Now Available
#10 Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, World War II
“Irresistible… a Golden Age homage, an elegantly constructed mystery that on every page reinforces the message that everyone counts.” –New York Times Book Review
From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One, a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery.
Bridey Kelly has come to Greenway House—the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie—in disgrace. A terrible mistake at St. Prisca’s Hospital in London has led to her dismissal as a nurse trainee, and her only chance for redemption is a position in the countryside caring for children evacuated to safety from the Blitz.
Greenway is a beautiful home full of riddles: wondrous curios not to be touched, restrictions on rooms not to be entered, and a generous library, filled with books about murder. The biggest mystery might be the other nurse, Gigi, who is like no one Bridey has ever met. Chasing ten young children through the winding paths of the estate grounds might have soothed Bridey’s anxieties and grief—if Greenway were not situated so near the English Channel and the rising aggressions of the war.
When a body washes ashore near the estate, Bridey is horrified to realize this is not a victim of war, but of a brutal killing. As the local villagers look among themselves, Bridey and Gigi discover they each harbor dangerous secrets about what has led them to Greenway. With a mystery writer’s home as their unsettling backdrop, the young women must unravel the truth before their safe haven becomes a place of death . . .
Why You Should Check it Out:
With numerous good reviews, this period mystery is a must-read historical fiction novel if you love Agatha Christie or good historical fiction novels in general! A heads up, though: this is not a cozy mystery!
Now Available
#11 Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
Genres: Gothic Romance, Horror, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal
From the Bram Stoker-nominated author of The Luminous Dead comes a gothic fantasy horror–The Death of Jane Lawrence.
“A delicious Gothic romance…. By the time the book reached that point of no return, I was so invested that I would have followed Jane into the very depths of hell.” —NPR.org
“Intense and amazing! It’s like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell meets Mexican Gothic meets Crimson Peak.” —BookRiot
Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town.
Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him. By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to.
Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Caitlin Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.
“Don’t read this one alone at night; Caitlin Starling has done it again. Unsettling, atmospheric, and downright brutal at times, The Death of Jane Lawrence will continue to haunt you long after you leave Lindridge Hall…if the house lets you leave, that is.” —Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart
Why You Should Check it Out:
Jane Eyre and Crimson Peak fans take note of this fabulously reviewed new book! Caitlin Starling takes on the gothic genre in new, terrifying ways. If you’re ready for a fresh twist on the genre, look no further.
Content Warning: Some gore, violence, and two sex scenes – although not overly graphic.
Now Available
#12 Digging Up Trouble (A Sweet Fiction Bookshop Mystery Book 1) by Kitt Crowe
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Joanne Fluke, a bitter discovery is made in a sweet-as-candy town, in Kitt Crowe’s Sweet Fiction Bookshop series debut.
Life is sweet when you live in Confection, Oregon. Or, at least, that’s how it’s supposed to be. But on a summer day, when tourists and locals alike gawk at the majestic mountains, quaint Craftsman houses, and lovely flowers–particularly the renowned Confection Rose–the last thing anyone has come to see is a dead body, unearthed from a shallow grave by a curious dog.
A bathrobe-clad Lexi rushes next door to her neighbor’s backyard to find her pooch, Cookie, stalwartly sitting watch over a body in the vegetable garden. Cookie, encrusted in dirt, grips a copper pipe between her teeth. Was this the murder weapon? And was Lexi the murderer? It sure looks that way, seeing as she was spotted squabbling with the victim just the day before. The case becomes all the more perplexing when the real murder weapon turns out to be a garden stake. Then where does the copper pipe fit in? And might a more likely suspect let Lexi off the hook?
All the volumes in the Sweet Fiction Bookshop, and all the specials at Eats n’ Treats, prove of little help in jogging Lexi’s brain to find a solution. Fortunately, Cookie is not finished digging up clues. As the fur flies, can this trusty border collie mix save sweet Lexi from a bitter end?
Why You Should Check it Out:
A feisty heroine and the most adorable dog ever in the cutest possible setting – what’s not to love? Kitt Crowe’s new cozy mystery series (with some romance on the side) is a great choice if you like sweet reads with a fun mystery to solve!
Now Available
#13 Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance
Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family’s constant disappointment. As the nation’s most fearless–and reviled–columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape.
Arriving in India, she expects only a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. Instead, she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel’s sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she’s long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Duffy excels at writing compelling prose! So, if you’re looking for a clean historical romance set in India, check out her latest offering. It has received numerous good reviews.
Now Available
#14 Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
Genres: Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Romance, Fantasy
#1 New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon returns with the newest novel in the epic Outlander series.
The past may seem the safest place to be . . . but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. . . .
Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1746, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.
It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.
Yet even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s teakettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep.
Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family.
Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity—and thus his own—and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet . . . on his son’s behalf, and his own.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.
Why You Should Check it Out:
The long-anticipated Outlander novel speaks for itself and is sure to please Diana Gabaldon’s massive fan base. But anyone who enjoys sweeping, character-driven romances (and doesn’t mind some explicit content) will likely enjoy it.
Based on past Outlander books, this one will likely be a four on the steaminess scale. There will also likely be violence. So, just a heads up.
Available November 23
#15 Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest
Genres: Mystery & Detective, Magical Realism, Urban Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Crime
A psychic travel agent and a Seattle PD detective solve a murder in this quirky mystery in the vein of Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files and Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series.
Meet Leda Foley: devoted friend, struggling travel agent, and inconsistent psychic. When Leda, sole proprietor of Foley’s Flights of Fancy, impulsively re-books Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt’s flight, her life changes in ways she couldn’t have predicted.
After watching his original plane blow up from the safety of the airport, Grady realizes that Leda’s special abilities could help him with a cold case he just can’t crack.
Despite her scattershot premonitions, she agrees for a secret reason: her fiancé’s murder remains unsolved. Leda’s psychic abilities couldn’t help the case several years before, but she’s been honing her skills and drawing a crowd at her favorite bar’s open-mic nights, where she performs Klairvoyant Karaoke—singing whatever song comes to mind when she holds people’s personal effects. Now joined by a rag-tag group of bar patrons and pals alike, Leda and Grady set out to catch a killer—and learn how the two cases that haunt them have more in common than they ever suspected.
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you love crime-fighting duos with the possibility of romance, you’ll want to read Grave Reservations. It is the first in a new series by Cherie Priest, known for her novels set in the Clockwork Century world.
Her latest book sounds like a fun, witty read that has received numerous excellent reviews. Just a heads up, the book has some swearing.
Now Available
#16 An Heiress’s Guide To Deception And Desire by Manda Collins
Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Rom-Com
Former lovers become reluctant allies in this delightfully witty historical rom-com from the bestselling author of A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem—for fans of Evie Dunmore, Enola Holmes, and Netflix’s Bridgerton!
England, 1867: As half of the writing duo behind England’s most infamous crime column, Miss Caroline Hardcastle has quite the scandalous reputation. It may have cost her a fiancé, but she would much rather bring attention to crimes against those ignored by society than worry about what the ton thinks of her.
After Caro’s dear friend is kidnapped, however, she has no choice but to work with Lord Valentine Thorn, the same man who broke her heart. Worse, when her actions put her father’s business at risk, a marriage of convenience may be her only solution . . . but can she trust Val to stand by her? Or will their past repeat itself?
Val—the new Viscount Wrackham—is in an untenable position: His father is demanding he find a respectable bride to secure the succession. Yet the only woman he’s ever loved, Miss Caroline Hardcastle, is notorious for behaving improperly. And she’s never forgiven him for his youthful transgressions, missteps made in the name of familial duty, but ones he still regrets to this day.
As they grow closer to unmasking the culprit, Val sees an opportunity to show Caro he’s a changed man. But can he convince her to give their love a second chance—before death does them part?
Why You Should Check it Out:
Jane Austen meets Veronica Mars in this witty historical mystery! It has good reviews pointing out its charm and cleverness. It does have some steaminess with one sex scene, so if you’re not into that, be aware!
Now Available
#17 The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
The International Bestseller—A feel-good, holiday rom com about identical twins who swap lives twelve days before Christmas—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze and Josie Silver’s One Day in December
All they want for Christmas is a different life.
When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell—both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie’s identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family’s bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won’t get the memo that they’re over.
With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven’t done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins’ identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?
Why You Should Check it Out:
As identical twins, we are personally intrigued by the Parent Trap angle. But if you love Hallmark Christmas movies, you’ll probably enjoy this kissing-only romance (that also happens to have very good reviews).
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#18 A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
“Lalli’s prose is deft, her characters are delightful and her book is the just-right holiday romance.”–USA Today
One type-A data analyst discovers her free-spirited side on an impulsive journey from bustling Mumbai to the gorgeous beaches of Goa and finds love waiting for her on Christmas morning.
Twenty-nine-year-old Niki Randhawa has always made practical decisions. Despite her love for music and art, she became an analyst for the stability. She’s always stuck close to home, in case her family needed her. And she’s always dated guys that seem good on paper, rather than the ones who give her butterflies. When she’s laid off, Niki realizes that practical hasn’t exactly paid off for her. So for the first time ever, she throws caution to the wind and books a last-minute flight for her friend Diya’s wedding.
Niki arrives in India just in time to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, where she meets London musician Sameer Mukherji. Maybe it’s the splendor of Mumbai or the magic of the holiday season, but Niki is immediately drawn to Sam. At the wedding, the champagne flows and their flirtatious banter makes it clear that the attraction is mutual.
When Niki and Sam join Diya, her husband and their friends on a group honeymoon, their connection grows deeper. Free-spirited Sam helps Niki get in touch with her passionate and creative side, and with her Indian roots. When she gets a new job offer back home, Niki must decide what she wants out of the next chapter of her life—to cling to the straight and narrow like always, or to take a leap of faith and live the kind of bold life the old Niki never would have dreamed of.
Why You Should Check it Out:
A Holly Jolly Diwali explores cultural identity in a charming, entertaining fashion in a story about romance and family during the holidays. It’s a PG-like romance with a fresh voice and starred reviews to recommend it!
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#19 In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Witches
When a guest dies in the B&B she helps her aunts run, a young witch must rely on some good old-fashioned investigating to clear her aunt’s name in this magical and charming new cozy mystery.
For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There’s never been a problem they couldn’t handle. But then Constance Graves–a local known for being argumentative and demanding–dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. At first, it seems like an accident…but it soon becomes clear that there’s something more sinister at work, and Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect.
There’s nothing Brynn wants more than to prove Nora’s innocence, and it hurts her to know that even two years ago that might have been easier. Brynn, after all, is a witch of the dead–a witch who can commune with ghosts. Ghosts never remember much about their deaths, but Constance might remember something about her life that would help crack the case. But Brynn hasn’t used her powers since her husband died, and isn’t even sure she still can. Brynn will just have to hope that her aunts’ magic and her own investigative skills will lead her to answers–and maybe back to the gift she once thought herself ready to give up forever.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch should check out this fun but meaningful paranormal cozy mystery!
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#20 Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan
Genres: YA High Fantasy, Mythology, LGBT, Romance
A girl who doesn’t remember her past.
A boy who remembers it all too well.
Told in a dual POV narrative, JADE FIRE GOLD is a YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology as well as xianxia and wuxia elements. Epic in scope but intimate in characterization, fans of classic fantasies and the magical Asiatic setting of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER will enjoy this cinematic tale of family, revenge, and forgiveness.
In order to save her grandmother from a cult of dangerous priests, a peasant girl cursed with the power to steal souls enters a tenuous alliance with an exiled prince bent on taking back the Dragon Throne. The pair must learn to trust each other but are haunted by their pasts—and the true nature of her dark magic.
Why You Should Check it Out:
It’s a new and original high fantasy novel that fans of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin should enjoy! It has many great reviews recommending what sounds to be an epic romance story.
Trigger/content warning: Some violence, child abuse, and self-harm.
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#21 Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
From the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year comes a heartwarming and hilarious tale that asks: What if you picked up the wrong suitcase and fell head over heels for its mystery owner?
Hopeless romantic and lifestyle reporter Laura’s business trip to the Channel Islands isn’t off to a great start. After an embarrassing encounter with the most attractive man she’s ever seen in real life, she arrives at her hotel and realizes she’s grabbed the wrong suitcase from the airport. Her only consolation is its irresistible contents, each of which intrigues her more and more. The owner of this suitcase is clearly Laura’s dream man. Now, all she has to do is find him.
Besides, what are the odds that she’d find The One on the same island where her parents first met and fell in love, especially as she sets out to write an article about their romance? Commissioning surly cab driver Ted to ferry her around seems like her best bet in both tracking down the mystery suitcase owner and retracing her parents’ footsteps. But as Laura’s mystery man proves difficult to find—and as she uncovers family secrets—she may have to reimagine the life, and love, she always thought she wanted.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Just Haven’t Met You Yet has been featured on many best new book lists and is in high demand! Known for being beautifully written and romantic, this rom-com has a steam level of two with fade to black love scenes, nothing graphic. It’s also set in the Channel Islands, the ideal backdrop for a love story!
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#22 The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction, World War II
An enchanting novel about fate, second chances, and hope, lost and found, by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Last of the Moon Girls.
Soline Roussel is well schooled in the business of happy endings. For generations her family has kept an exclusive bridal salon in Paris, where magic is worked with needles and thread. It’s said that the bride who wears a Roussel gown is guaranteed a lifetime of joy. But devastating losses during World War II leave Soline’s world and heart in ruins and her faith in love shaken. She boxes up her memories, stowing them away, along with her broken dreams, determined to forget.
Decades later, while coping with her own tragic loss, aspiring gallery owner Rory Grant leases Soline’s old property and discovers a box containing letters and a vintage wedding dress, never worn. When Rory returns the mementos, an unlikely friendship develops, and eerie parallels in Rory’s and Soline’s lives begin to surface. It’s clear that they were destined to meet―and that Rory may hold the key to righting a forty-year wrong and opening the door to shared healing and, perhaps, a little magic.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Already a bestseller, readers love this new historical fiction book. It’s got it all, memorable characters, romance, and wartime drama.
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#23 The Last Checkmate by Gabriella Saab
Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Women’s Fiction
A PopSugar Best Book of the Year!
Readers of Heather Morris’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz and watchers of The Queen’s Gambit won’t want to miss this amazing debut set during World War II. A young Polish resistance worker, imprisoned in Auschwitz as a political prisoner, plays chess in exchange for her life, and in doing so fights to bring the man who destroyed her family to justice.
Maria Florkowska is many things: daughter, avid chess player, and, as a member of the Polish underground resistance in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, a young woman brave beyond her years. Captured by the Gestapo, she is imprisoned in Auschwitz, but while her family is sent to their deaths, she is spared. Realizing her ability to play chess, the sadistic camp deputy, Karl Fritzsch, decides to use her as a chess opponent to entertain the camp guards. However, once he tires of exploiting her skills, he has every intention of killing her.
Befriended by a Catholic priest, Maria attempts to overcome her grief, vows to avenge the murder of her family, and plays for her life. For four grueling years, her strategy is simple: Live. Fight. Survive. By cleverly provoking Fritzsch’s volatile nature in front of his superiors, Maria intends to orchestrate his downfall. Only then will she have a chance to evade the fate awaiting her and see him punished for his wickedness.
As she carries out her plan and the war nears its end, she challenges her former nemesis to one final game, certain to end in life or death, in failure or justice. If Maria can bear to face Fritzsch—and her past—one last time.
Why You Should Check it Out:
It’s similar to The Queen’s Gambit but in a World War II/Holocaust setting. While there is some romance in it, that’s not the focus. Read for solid characterization, historical detail, and a fascinating, courageous female lead.
Content/Trigger Warning: Be aware there is violence, language, and disturbing moments in this book as it is set at Auschwitz.
Now Available
#24 The Last Season by Jenny Judson and Danielle Mahfood
Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Victorian
A Zibby Owens for Katie Couric’s Katie’s Picks Fall Must Read
“Judson and Mahfood immerse readers in British high society…blending Regency romance with Dickensian themes of reinvention, unrequited love, and unexpected benevolence…” —Booklist
When they meet as adolescents at Drayton Manor, the well to-do Cassandra Drayton and the manor’s stable boy, Crispin St. John, seem destined for very different futures. Yet, the two strike up a secret and forbidden friendship. Once discovered, they are forced apart, with Cassandra staying locked in her father’s world and Crispin traveling to India to make his own way.
Years later, when Cassandra’s high-society London lifestyle is shattered by her father’s spectacular fall from grace, she is surprised to reunite with her childhood friend, no longer a penniless boy but an enterprising young man who has risen through the ranks of the Indian cotton trade. As they navigate changing circumstances, fickle friendships, and social upheaval, Cassandra and Crispin find that the bond they developed as children is a lasting one.
Set in Victorian England, The Last Season is a story of social upheaval, changing fortunes, and an unlikely romance that develops between a well-to-do heiress and a stable boy.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Elizabeth Gaskell meets Jane Austen in this tale of forbidden love! It’s a Victorian romance with a bit of steam but no graphic scenes. So, probably a two (at most a three) on the steaminess scale.
Now Available
#25 Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
Genres: YA Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Romance, LGBT
Kids’ Indie Next pick for November/December!
Amazon Best Book of October 2021!
A scrappy maid must outsmart both palace nobles and Low Gods in a new YA fantasy by Margaret Owen, author of the Merciful Crow series.
Once upon a time, there was a horrible girl…
Vanja Schmidt knows that no gift is freely given, not even a mother’s love—and she’s on the hook for one hell of a debt. Vanja, the adopted goddaughter of Death and Fortune, was Princess Gisele’s dutiful servant up until a year ago. That was when Vanja’s otherworldly mothers demanded a terrible price for their care, and Vanja decided to steal her future back… by stealing Gisele’s life for herself.
The real Gisele is left a penniless nobody while Vanja uses an enchanted string of pearls to take her place. Now, Vanja leads a lonely but lucrative double life as princess and jewel thief, charming nobility while emptying their coffers to fund her great escape. Then, one heist away from freedom, Vanja crosses the wrong god and is cursed to an untimely end: turning into jewels, stone by stone, for her greed.
Vanja has just two weeks to figure out how to break her curse and make her getaway. And with a feral guardian half-god, Gisele’s sinister fiancé, and an overeager junior detective on Vanja’s tail, she’ll have to pull the biggest grift yet to save her own life.
Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow series, crafts a delightfully irreverent retelling of “The Goose Girl” about stolen lives, thorny truths, and the wicked girls at the heart of both.
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you love fairytale and fable retellings, this version of The Goose Girl is getting rave reviews and is already a bestselling YA novel. This one’s for you if you’re in the mood for adventure and romance.
Now Available
#26 The London House by Katherine Reay
Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Women’s Fiction, Romance, Historical Mystery
Uncovering a dark family secret sends one woman on the journey of a lifetime—through the history of Britain’s WWII spy network and glamorous 1930s Paris—in an effort to understand her past, save her family, and shape her future.
Caroline Payne thinks it’s just another day of work. Then she receives a call from Mat Hammond, an old college friend and historian. He has uncovered a scandalous secret kept buried for decades. During World War II, Caroline’s great-aunt betrayed her family and country to marry her German lover.
Caroline, determined to find answers and save her family’s reputation, flies to the old family house in London. There, she and Mat discover diaries and letters that reveal her grandmother and great-aunt were known as the “Waite sisters.” Popular and witty, they came of age during the interwar years, frequenting dances and jazz clubs with an air-filled romance. Despite this, the buoyant tone of the correspondence soon yields to sadder revelations. One sister eventually leaves joins the glittering fashion scene of Paris, despite rumblings of a coming world war.
Was Caroline’s great-aunt actually a traitor and Nazi collaborator? Is there a more complex truth buried in the past? Together, Caroline and Mat uncover stories of spies and secrets, love and heartbreak. And ultimately, unravel the events of one fateful evening in 1941 that changed everything.Caroline Payne thinks it’s just another day of work. Then she receives a call from Mat Hammond, an old college friend and historian. He has uncovered a scandalous secret kept buried for decades. During World War II, Caroline’s great-aunt betrayed her family and country to marry her German lover.
Caroline, determined to find answers and save her family’s reputation, flies to the old family house in London. There, she and Mat discover diaries and letters that reveal her grandmother and great-aunt were known as the “Waite sisters.” Popular and witty, they came of age during the interwar years, frequenting dances and jazz clubs with an air-filled romance. Despite this, the buoyant tone of the correspondence soon yields to sadder revelations. One sister eventually leaves joins the glittering fashion scene of Paris, despite rumblings of a coming world war.
Was Caroline’s great-aunt actually a traitor and Nazi collaborator? Is there a more complex truth buried in the past? Together, Caroline and Mat uncover stories of spies and secrets, love and heartbreak. And ultimately, unravel the events of one fateful evening in 1941 that changed everything.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Katherine Reay is the bestselling author of books like Dear Mr. Knightley and The Austen Escape. She’s back with a new, compelling read that fans of Possession or World War II historical fiction novels should like.
Now Available
#27 Love and Lavender: Proper Romance by Josi S. Kilpack
Genres: Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Clean Romance
A Mayfield Family Romance – Vol. 4 in the standalone series
Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, Hazel knows marriage is unlikely, so she devotes herself to teaching at a private girls’ school.
When her uncle offers Hazel a substantial inheritance if she marries, she is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? But when she learns the school might be sold, she knows she must consider all her options.
Duncan Penhale thrives on order and process. He has no interest in marriage, so when Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, offers him an inheritance if he weds, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, an inheritance means he could purchase a building and run his own accounting firm.
Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, claim their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But then Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must first live together as a couple for one year.
Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?
Why You Should Check it Out:
While it’s book four in a series, it works as a standalone novel. If you want to read a Jane Austen-like romance without any steam, this is as clean and wholesome as it gets. Read this one if you’re looking for something intelligent, emotional, and heartfelt.
Now Available
#28 Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen: A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship by Annabel Abbs
Genres: Historical Fiction, Victorian, Women’s Fiction, Biographical
In a novel perfect for fans of Hazel Gaynor’s A Memory of Violets and upstairs-downstairs stories, Annabel Abbs, the award-winning author of The Joyce Girl, returns with the brilliant real-life story of Eliza Acton and her assistant as they revolutionized British cooking and cookbooks around the world.
Before Mrs. Beeton and well before Julia Child, there was Eliza Acton, who changed the course of cookery writing forever.
England, 1835. London is awash with thrilling new ingredients, from rare spices to exotic fruits. But no one knows how to use them. When Eliza Acton is told by her publisher to write a cookery book instead of the poetry she loves, she refuses—until her bankrupt father is forced to flee the country. As a woman, Eliza has few options. Although she’s never set foot in a kitchen, she begins collecting recipes and teaching herself to cook. Much to her surprise she discovers a talent – and a passion – for the culinary arts.
Eliza hires young, destitute Ann Kirby to assist her. As they cook together, Ann learns about poetry, love and ambition. The two develop a radical friendship, breaking the boundaries of class while creating new ways of writing recipes. But when Ann discovers a secret in Eliza’s past, and finds a voice of her own, their friendship starts to fray.
Based on the true story of the first modern cookery writer, Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen is a spellbinding novel about female friendship, the struggle for independence, and the transcendent pleasures and solace of food.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Good Housekeeping and Country Living both recommend this new historical fiction novel based on the real woman: Eliza Acton. Downton Abbey fans should love this new brilliantly reviewed period novel. It’s a great new book to try – especially when drinking a nice cup of tea!
While it’s mostly a clean read, just be aware that a predator in the book flashes people.
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#29 Miss Moriarty, I Presume? by Sherry Thomas
Genres: Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Victorian
Charlotte Holmes comes face to face with her enemy when Moriarty turns to her in his hour of need, in the USA Today bestselling series set in Victorian England.
A most unexpected client shows up at Charlotte Holmes’s doorstep: Moriarty himself. Moriarty fears that tragedy has befallen his daughter and wants Charlotte to find out the truth.
Charlotte and Mrs. Watson travel to a remote community of occult practitioners where Moriarty’s daughter was last seen, a place full of lies and liars. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s sister Livia tries to make sense of a mysterious message from her beau Mr. Marbleton. And Charlotte’s longtime friend and ally Lord Ingram at last turns his seductive prowess on Charlotte—or is it the other way around?
But the more secrets Charlotte unravels about Miss Moriarty’s disappearance, the more she wonders why Moriarty has entrusted this delicate matter to her of all people. Is it merely to test Charlotte’s skills as an investigator, or has the man of shadows trapped her in a nest of vipers?
Why You Should Check it Out:
It’s a number one new release in the historical mystery category and book six in the Lady Sherlock Series. This series is for you if you enjoy Sherlock stories, slow-burn romances, and female private detectives like Miss Fisher and Miss Scarlet.
Now Available
#30 Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Women’s Fiction, Rom-Com
The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.
The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever wants is a wife. Unfortunately for him, his mother is determined to find him one, even from across the other side of the ocean. So Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother’s matchmaking ways at bay. But when Hugh learns his interfering mother is on a ship bound for England, he realizes his complicated, convoluted but convenient ruse is about to implode. Until he collides with a beautiful woman, who might just be the miracle he needs.
Minerva Merriwell has had to struggle to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since their feckless father abandoned them. Work as a woodcut engraver is few and far between, and the Merriwell sisters are nearly penniless. So when Hugh asks Minerva to pose as his fiancée while his mother is visiting, she knows that while the scheme sounds ludicrous, the offer is too good to pass up.
Once Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh’s estate, of course nothing goes according to his meticulous plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensue while everyone tries to keep their tangled stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement starts to turn into a real romance. But can they trust each other when their relationship started with a lie? The first book in the Merriwell Sisters series, Never Fall for Your Fiancée is a hilarious, sparkling historical romantic comedy from Virginia Heath.
Why You Should Check it Out:
According to bestselling author Evie Dunsmore, this new release is one of her “must-read rom coms of the year.” If you’re looking for witty British banter and a delightful read, this one’s for you. Now, this historical romance does have one sex scene, so be advised!
Now Available
#31 Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
Genres: Historical Fiction, Biographical, Books About Books, Christmas
From Patti Callahan, the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, comes another enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis.
Megs Devonshire, on a scholarship at Oxford, is brilliant with numbers and equations. She prefers the dependability of facts—except for one: the brother she loves with all her heart doesn’t have long to live. When George becomes captivated by a brand-new book called The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and begs her to find out where Narnia came from, there’s no way she can refuse.
Despite her timidity about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with the Oxford don and his own brother, begging them for answers. What she receives instead are stories . . . little-known tales from different periods in Mr. Lewis’s life, which she takes home to George.
Why won’t Mr. Lewis just tell her plainly what George wants to know? The answer will reveal to Meg many truths that science and math cannot, and the gift she thought she was giving to her brother—the story behind Narnia—turns out to be his gift to her, instead: hope.
Why You Should Check it Out:
This new release is getting raves and accolades in the press. With an insightful look into C. S. Lewis himself, this historical fiction novel will delight fans of The Chronicles of Narnia series while leaving readers with a sense of hope! There is some romance in it too.
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#32 Parting the Veil by Paulette Kennedy
Genres: Gothic Romance, Historical Fiction, Suspense
Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever…
When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired.
Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day.
As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her.
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you’re looking for a new favorite gothic romance to read, this one might be it! With just the right amount of suspense, romance, and classic gothic elements, Parting the Veil is recommended as an enjoyable page-turner.
Fans of novels like Wuthering Heights should like this one. The book is not overly graphic, yet there is some sexual content and violence and abuse mentioned.
Now Available
#33 The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Biographical
The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train to London revisits the dark early days of the German occupation in France in this haunting novel—a love story and a tale of high-stakes danger and incomparable courage—about a young American heiress who helps artists hunted by the Nazis escape from war-torn Europe.
Wealthy, beautiful Naneé was born with a spirit of adventure. For her, learning to fly is freedom. When German tanks roll across the border and into Paris, this woman with an adorable dog and a generous heart joins the resistance. Known as the Postmistress because she delivers information to those in hiding, Naneé uses her charms and skill to house the hunted and deliver them to safety.
Photographer Edouard Moss has escaped Germany with his young daughter only to be interned in a French labor camp. His life collides with Nanée’s in this sweeping tale of romance and danger set in a world aflame with personal and political passion.
Inspired by the real life Chicago heiress Mary Jayne Gold, who worked with American journalist Varian Fry to smuggle artists and intellectuals out of France, The Postmistress of Paris is the haunting story of an indomitable woman whose strength, bravery, and love is a beacon of hope in a time of terror.
Why You Should Check it Out:
The Postmistress of Paris is for readers looking for a thought-provoking new read with lyrical prose and courageous characters based on real people! It’s received fantastic reviews and should be on your must-read list if you enjoy good World War II fiction.
Available November 30
#34 Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth
Genres: YA Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Historical Fantasy, Romance
Rowenna Winthrop has always known there’s magic within her. But though she hears voices on the wind and possesses unusual talents, her mother Mairead believes Rowenna lacks discipline, and refuses to teach her the craft that keeps their Scottish village safe. When Mairead dies a sinister death, it seems Rowenna’s one chance to grow into her power has passed. Then, on a fateful, storm-tossed night, Rowenna rescues a handsome stranger named Gawen from a shipwreck, and her mother miraculously returns from the dead. Or so it appears.
This resurrected Mairead is nothing like the old one: to hide her new and monstrous nature, she turns Rowenna’s brothers and Gawen into swans and robs Rowenna of her voice. Forced to flee, Rowenna travels to the city of Inverness to find a way to break the curse. But monsters take many forms, and in Inverness Rowenna is soon caught in a web of strangers who want to use her raw magic for their own gain. If she wishes to save herself and the people she loves most, Rowenna will have to take her fate into her own hands, and unlock the power that has evaded her for so long.
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you love fairytale retellings and YA fantasy, then A Rush of Wings has a bit of everything for you. Weymouth’s prose is described as beautiful, the characters fascinating, and the novel transportive, making this book an exciting choice.
Content Warning: There are deaths of animals and the loss of a loved one in the book.
Now Available
#35 A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
A charmingly quirky seaside town offers a recently separated restauranteur a fresh start and possibly a new lease on love in A Season for Second Chances, by the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas.
Annie Sharpe’s spark for life has fizzled out. Her kids are grown up, her restaurant is doing just fine on its own, and her twenty-six-year marriage has come to an unceremonious end. Untethered for the first time in her adult life, she finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave her city life behind for a brand-new beginning.
When she arrives in Willow Bay, Annie is enamored by the charming house, the invigorating sea breeze, and the town’s rich seasonal traditions. Not to mention, her neighbors receive her with open arms—that is, all except the surly nephew of the homeowner, whose grand plans for the property are at odds with her residency. As Christmas approaches, tensions and tides rise in Willow Bay, and Annie’s future seems less and less certain. But with a little can-do spirit and holiday magic, the most difficult time of her life will become…a season for second chances.
Why You Should Check it Out:
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss is a charming, uplifting novel for the holidays. Annie Sharpe finds herself in a new town, and she begins to rediscover herself with some help from her neighbors along the way. Think of this as a Hallmark movie in a lovely seaside town but with PG-13-like content.
Now Available
#36 The Sisters Sweet by Elizabeth Weiss
Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Coming of Age, Women’s Fiction
A young woman in a vaudeville sister act must learn to forge her own path after her twin runs away to Hollywood in this richly immersive debut about love, family, and friendship.
Leaving was my sister’s choice. I would have to make my own.
All Harriet Szász has ever known is life onstage with her sister, Josie. As “The Sisters Sweet,” they pose as conjoined twins in a vaudeville act conceived of by their ambitious parents, who were once themselves theatrical stars. But after Josie exposes the family’s fraud and runs away to Hollywood, Harriet must learn to live out of the spotlight—and her sister’s shadow. As Josie’s star rises in California, the Szászes fall on hard times. Striving to keep her struggling family afloat, Harriet molds herself into the perfect daughter. She also tentatively forms her first relationships outside her family and begins to imagine a life for herself beyond the role of dutiful daughter that she has played for so long. Finally, Harriet must decide whether to honor her mother, her father, or the self she’s only beginning to get to know.
Full of long-simmering tensions, buried secrets, questionable saviors, and broken promises, this is a story about how much we are beholden to others and what we owe ourselves. Layered and intimate, The Sisters Sweet heralds the arrival of an accomplished new voice in fiction.
Why You Should Check it Out:
The Sisters Sweet by Elizabeth Weiss is a book that takes a captivating look into the life of identical twins with a theatrical backdrop. This book is for readers who like coming-of-age tales, family stories, classic Hollywood movies, and historical fiction.
Available November 30
#37 Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Mythology, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Romance
A Black mermaid takes on the gods themselves in this “impressive” fantasy debut that “blends West African history and Yoruban mythology to create a new fairy tale” (New York Times). The first book in a powerful series that is perfect for fans of The Gilded Ones and those eagerly anticipating the live action film adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.
Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.
But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable—she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.
To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There’s the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. . . .
Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
Why You Should Check it Out:
This is the first book in a new fantasy series! Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen has mythology, romance, and fellowship elements within its pages. It’s described as an inventive debut (and already a New York Times Bestseller) with a brave protagonist that is worthy of your time. Plus, it has mermaids!!!
Content Warning: While not graphic, there is violence and slavery in this book.
Now Available
#38 A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley
Genres: Holiday/Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, Small Town
Cosy up to the fire with a mug of hot chocolate and the latest uplifting, feel-good read from Sunday Times bestseller Phillipa Ashley.
For Bo Grayson, Christmas has always been the most wonderful time of the year. Well, until she had her heart broken last December…
When Bo Grayson and her friends meet a mysterious fortune teller, she gives each woman the same prediction: You will meet the love of your life by Christmas Day.
But Bo quickly dismisses this as nonsense. And with the festive season in full swing, she has plenty to keep her busy: creating the seasonal menu for her Boatyard Café, getting her rock and roll dance group ready for their Christmas show – and avoiding thinking about last December, when her fortune took a turn for the worse…
Besides, she definitely isn’t ready to open her heart again. But will fate – and perhaps a sprinkle of Christmas magic – change her mind?
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you’re looking for absolute escapism in your next read, you can’t go wrong with a holiday romance novel from Phillipa Ashley! A Special Cornish Christmas is just the light-hearted, festive read you need to make your holidays even happier!
Based on previous books, this is likely a PG-13-like book.
Now Available
#39 Three Sisters (Book 3 in The Tattooist of Auschwitz Series) by Heather Morris
Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Holocaust
From Heather Morris, the New York Times bestselling author of the multi-million copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey: a story of family, courage, and resilience, inspired by a true story.
Against all odds, three Slovakian sisters have survived years of imprisonment in the most notorious death camp in Nazi Germany: Auschwitz. Livia, Magda, and Cibi have clung together, nearly died from starvation and overwork, and the brutal whims of the guards in this place of horror. But now, the allies are closing in and the sisters have one last hurdle to face: the death march from Auschwitz, as the Nazis try to erase any evidence of the prisoners held there. Due to a last minute stroke of luck, the three of them are able to escape formation and hide in the woods for days before being rescued.
And this is where the story begins. From there, the three sisters travel to Israel, to their new home, but the battle for freedom takes on new forms. Livia, Magda, and Cibi must face the ghosts of their past–and some secrets that they have kept from each other–to find true peace and happiness.
Inspired by a true story, and with events that overlap with those of Lale, Gita, and Cilka, The Three Sisters will hold a place in readers’ hearts and minds as they experience what true courage really is.
Why You Should Check it Out:
Heather Morris is back with another historical fiction, this time taking a look at the aftermath of the Holocaust. The Three Sisters is described by reviewers as equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring, exploring how three women survived one of the most brutal wars in history.
Find out how the bestselling series (based on real people) concludes! Trigger warnings: Be aware that this book about the Holocaust has some disturbing content.
Now Available
#40 Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Gothic Romance, Horror
“Lauren Blackwood’s can’t-miss debut is a magical, Ethiopian-inspired remix of Jane Eyre.” – Harper’s Bazaar
What the heart desires, the house destroys…
Andromeda is a debtera—an exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. She would be hired, that is, if her mentor hadn’t thrown her out before she could earn her license. Now her only hope of steady work is to find a Patron—a rich, well-connected individual who will vouch for her abilities.
When a handsome young heir named Magnus Rochester reaches out to hire her, she takes the job without question. Never mind that he’s rude and demanding and eccentric, that the contract comes with a number of outlandish rules… and that almost a dozen debtera had quit before her. If Andromeda wants to earn a living, she has no choice.
But she quickly realizes this is a job like no other, with horrifying manifestations at every turn, and that Magnus is hiding far more than she has been trained for. Death is the most likely outcome if she stays, the reason every debtera before her quit. But leaving Magnus to live out his curse alone isn’t an option because—heaven help her—she’s fallen for him.
Stunningly romantic, Lauren Blackwood’s heartstopping debut, Within These Wicked Walls, ushers in an exciting new fantasy voice.
Why You Should Check it Out:
If you’re a fan of Jane Eyre, then, like us, you’ll probably read any Jane Eyre retelling! Within These Wicked Walls has received numerous accolades, including being Reese’s Book Club Fall 2021 YA pick. It also has fantastic reviews and an entirely unique Ethiopian setting.
Content/Trigger Warning: There is some violence, abuse, and slavery in the book.
Now Available
There are a ton of new book releases in 2021 for all sorts of readers. Whether you’re looking to read a sweet romance, a young adult fantasy, a fabulous historical fiction novel, and more, there’s something here for everyone. Let us know what new books you plan to check out in 2021, and leave a comment below!
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