Our Books to Binge On feature is pretty simple in its purpose. Every month, we put together a monthly new releases list of books that we’re all looking forward to. These are the books that we can’t wait to read and want everyone to add to their monthly binge-reading lists. Here are the books that we plan to binge on in June of 2021.
Two exes reach a new level of awkward when forced to take a road trip together in this endearing and humorous novel by the author of the international bestseller The Flatshare.
What if the end of the road is just the beginning?
Four years ago, Dylan and Addie fell in love under the Provence sun. Wealthy Oxford student Dylan was staying at his friend Cherry’s enormous French villa; wild child Addie was spending her summer as the on-site caretaker. Two years ago, their relationship officially ended. They haven’t spoken since.
Today, Dylan’s and Addie’s lives collide again. It’s the day before Cherry’s wedding, and Addie and Dylan crash cars at the start of the journey there. The car Dylan was driving is wrecked, and the wedding is in rural Scotland–he’ll never get there on time by public transport.
So, along with Dylan’s best friend, Addie’s sister, and a random guy on Facebook who needed a ride, they squeeze into a space-challenged Mini and set off across Britain. Cramped into the same space, Dylan and Addie are forced to confront the choices they made that tore them apart–and ask themselves whether that final decision was the right one after all.
Holly: I really liked The Flatshare and The Switch. I’m looking forward to this new book from O’Leary.
Rowena: I was looking forward to reading this book because I’ve recently discovered Beth O’Leary and really enjoyed the books that I’ve read by her. This wasn’t my favorite book by O’Leary but it was definitely still a solid read.
The Importance of Being Wanton (Wantons of Waverton #2) by Christi Caldwell
USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell turns polite London society on its head in a delightful romance of unguarded hearts, second chances, and a scandalous rivalry between the sexes.
Emma Gately and the Earl of Scarsdale were betrothed as children―less a vow of future happiness than an obligation. Seventeen years later, the independent miss severs the contract with the now notorious libertine in an unprecedented act of independence. And Emma cofounds the Mismatch Society, where like-minded ladies are free of the constraints and inevitable broken hearts that men bring. But Emma’s rejection sparks in her intended a new consideration of the spirited woman he took for granted―and a determination to win her back.
Despite his wicked reputation, misguided and suddenly lovestruck, Charles Hayden is on a mission to gain Emma’s respect, and he has just the idea―one that the daringly unconventional Emma is sure to appreciate. But as Charles takes bold steps and sets tongues wagging, he makes himself an accidental opponent of his former betrothed. Soon, a rivalry is born that has the whole ton abuzz.
Emma never anticipated that with every fiery test of wills, passion would surge. Passion that’s impossible to ignore. In going toe-to-toe with Charles, she risks her heart and pride by falling in love with the one man she vowed to scorn.
Holly: I haven’t read the first book in this series, but I’ve enjoyed books by Caldwell in the past and this one appeals to me.
To Sir, with Love by Lauren Layne
Love Is Blind meets You’ve Got Mail in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy following two thirty-somethings who meet on a blind dating app—only to realize that their online chemistry is nothing compared to their offline rivalry.
Perpetually cheerful and eager to please, Gracie Cooper strives to make the best out of every situation. So when her father dies just months after a lung cancer diagnosis, she sets aside her dreams of pursuing her passion for art to take over his Midtown Manhattan champagne shop. She soon finds out that the store’s profit margins are being squeezed perilously tight, and complicating matters further, a giant corporation headed by the impossibly handsome, but irritatingly arrogant Sebastian Andrews is proposing a buyout. But Gracie can’t bear the thought of throwing away her father’s dream like she did her own.
Overwhelmed and not wanting to admit to her friends or family that she’s having second thoughts about the shop, Gracie seeks advice and solace from someone she’s never met—the faceless “Sir”, with whom she connected on a blind dating app where matches get to know each other through messages and common interests before exchanging real names or photos.
But although Gracie finds herself slowly falling for Sir online, she has no idea she’s already met him in real life…and they can’t stand each other.
Rowena: Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors so I’m always on the lookout for her new stuff. This one looks like a cute read so I’m in!
Reel (Hollywood Renaissance #1) by Kennedy Ryan
Award-Winning Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Kennedy Ryan launches a brand new series with a Hollywood tale of wild ambition, artistic obsession, and unrelenting love.
One moment in the spotlight.
For months I stood by, an understudy waiting in the wings, preparing for my time to shine. I never imagined he would watch in the audience that night.
Canon Holt.
Famous film director.
Fascinating. Talented. Fine.Before I could catch my breath, everything changed. I went from backstage Broadway to center stage Hollywood. From being unknown to my name, Neevah Saint, on everyone’s lips. Canon casts me in a star-studded Harlem Renaissance biopic, catapulting me into another stratosphere.
But stars shine brightest in the dead of night. Forbidden attraction, scandal and circumstances beyond my control jeopardize my dream. Could this one shot—the role of a lifetime, the love of a lifetime—cost me everything?
Rowena: Kennedy Ryan won me over with the very first book that I read by her. She will always be on my radar and on my wish list/auto-buy list. This one is a definite addition to my list.
We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
A wedding harpist disillusioned with love and a hopeless romantic cater-waiter flirt and fight their way through a summer of weddings in this effervescent romantic comedy from the acclaimed author of Today Tonight Tomorrow.
Quinn Berkowitz and Tarek Mansour’s families have been in business together for years: Quinn’s parents are wedding planners, and Tarek’s own a catering company. At the end of last summer, Quinn confessed her crush on him in the form of a rambling email—and then he left for college without a response.
Quinn has been dreading seeing him again almost as much as she dreads another summer playing the harp for her parents’ weddings. When he shows up at the first wedding of the summer, looking cuter than ever after a year apart, they clash immediately. Tarek’s always loved the grand gestures in weddings—the flashier, the better—while Quinn can’t see them as anything but fake. Even as they can’t seem to have one civil conversation, Quinn’s thrown together with Tarek wedding after wedding, from performing a daring cake rescue to filling in for a missing bridesmaid and groomsman.
Quinn can’t deny her feelings for him are still there, especially after she learns the truth about his silence, opens up about her own fears, and begins learning the art of harp-making from an enigmatic teacher.
Maybe love isn’t the enemy after all—and maybe allowing herself to fall is the most honest thing Quinn’s ever done.
Rowena: I’ve seen some early reviews for this book and the bloggers that I read and trust have enjoyed this one so I’m curious enough about it to add it to my wish list. Doesn’t it sound like a cute story?
When Stars Collide (Chicago Stars #9) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Olivia Shore, international opera superstar, is a driven diva with a passion for perfection, a craving for justice, too many secrets—and a monumental grudge against the egotistical, lowbrow jock she’s been stuck with.
It’s Mozart meets Monday Night Football as the temperamental soprano and stubborn jock embark on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand. Along the way, the combatants will engage in soul-searching and trash talk, backstage drama and, for sure, a quarterback pass. But they’ll also face trouble as threatening letters, haunting photographs, and a series of dangerous encounters complicate their lives. Is it the work of an overzealous fan or something more sinister?
This is the emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who’ll never be happy with second place. Tender and funny, passionate and insightful, this irresistible romantic adventure proves that anything can happen…when two superstars collide.
Casee: I don’t really read SEP anymore, but seeing this book made me nostalgic. I think I’m going to read it.
Rebel’s Karma (Dark Protectors #13) by Rebecca Zanetti
There’s no denying destiny . . .
For too long, Benjamin Reese has masked his deadly skills and temper with loyalty and humor. A vampire-demon hybrid, he fiercely protects his family, guards his brothers, and destroys the enemy without mercy. But when he discovers one fragile, beautiful blonde—a woman once mated to a Kurjan, no less—every primal instinct he has buried for centuries roars to life. With the mating mark she roused on his hand entwining their fates, no one will prevent him from keeping her safe and making her his, forever . . .
Or desire . . .
Karma wishes she could remember her last name. Or if she even had one. All she has in this confusing new world is a desperate duty to save the innocent. That means destroying the dark, dangerous, and desirable Benjamin Reese and everything he loves—an impossible task even before his touch arouses a passionate hunger she can’t afford. She’s certain a deadly enemy watches her every move, but it’s not until Benny kisses her that she tastes true danger…
Casee: I’m super excited for this one!
I already downloaded the first three books on my June list this morning. Hello Summer reading! Goodbye book budget!
Caitlin Crews’s (presumably) last release for Dare: JUST ONE MORE NIGHT, the second of her Summer Seductions duet. The free-spirited heroine is the sister of the heroine of Crews’s earlier THE PLEASURE CONTRACT. I’m sorry to see the Dare line come to an end, even though it never really did live up to its potential.
Also available June 1, Kelly Hunter’s long-awaited HP, PREGNANT IN THE KING’S PALACE, this is the fourth and final book in her Claimed By A King series of royal romances—and, since the previous book was published in 2019, this one truly is long-awaited. Imho, Kelly Hunter is one of the best writers of category romances (THE MAN SHE LOVES TO HATE is a keeper shelf favorite) and I can’t wait to see how she finishes up this series.
One of my favorite dark romance writers, Skye Warren, releases FINALE on June 1. This is part of her North Security series and involves two secondary characters from earlier books who are in an arranged marriage: an exiled Spanish Duke hero and a strong-willed hotel manager heroine. Let the clash of the titans begin!
J. Kenner’s MEMORIES OF YOU drops on June 8. This is part of Kenner’s Stark Security series and features the bodyguard-client trope—one of my many catnips.
Skye Warren has another book due in June: STRICT CONFIDENCE was scheduled for May release but has been moved to June 15. It’s the second book in Warren’s Rochester trilogy, a modern retelling of JANE EYRE. The first book, PRIVATE PROPERTY, ended on a cliffhanger, so I’m expecting STRICT CONFIDENCE to pick up the action right where the earlier one left off.
June 15 also brings MAFIA KING by CD Reiss, the second of her DiLustro Arrangement trilogy. The first book, MAFIA BRIDE, ended on quite the cliffhanger so I’m eager to see what happens next.
You know you’ve been reading a series for a looong time when the children of earlier MCs now show up as MCs in new books. So it is with Lexi Blake’s TREASURED (releasing June 22), where the hero is the step-son of the hero from one of Blake’s earliest Masters & Mercenaries series of BDSM-crossed-with-espionage (yes, that’s a thing!) books. This one features the bodyguard-client trope—but this time, it’s the bodyguard who’s female. Yes please!
Also arriving on June 22 is Pam Godwin’s LESSON IN SIN, which features one of my transgressive catnips: a Catholic priest who is driven by passion to break his vow of celibacy. (He’s also the headmaster of a Catholic boarding school and the heroine is a pupil at the school—so even more transgressive, although I’m hoping/assuming that the heroine is at least 18 before anything of a sexual nature takes place.) Based on the heroine’s name—Tinsley Constantine—I think the book may be part of the Midnight Dynasty series which is being written by different authors and features the rival Morelli and Constantine crime families. Tinsley Constantine was the name of the character whose 16th birthday party/ball was the central conceit of last year’s DARK FAIRY TALES anthology—so this is either a continuation of her story or an odd coincidence in Godwin’s choice of the heroine’s name.
One of my favorite (and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated) romance writers, Julie Kriss, releases COLD DARK HEART on June 23. This is the fifth book in Kriss’s Filthy Rich series—all of which feature heroes who grew up rough on the wrong side of the tracks and earned unexpected wealth later in life. The heroine is a divorced mom who owns a bar; the hero shows up to protect her from some bad guys. Can’t wait!
And, as of right now, my favorite, Kati Wilde, has EVIL TWIN scheduled for June 30. On her website, Kati says she hopes to release it earlier (Kati freely admits her release dates are often more like suggestions than actualities), but Amazon was still showing June 30. This is a fantasy novel with a hero who impersonates his identical twin brother (the king) to claim the king’s bride. But the innocent bride has some ideas of her own! A new book from Kati is always cause for the happy dance in my house—I’m really looking forward to this one.
Your picks look good and I have some of them on pre-order. And Now You’re Back by Jill Mansell. The Wrong Marquess by Vivienne Lorret.
You’ve offered some great choices! I’m especially looking forward to Katherine Addison’s new book set in the world of The Goblin Emperor.