Books to Binge On: July 2021

Posted July 1, 2021 by Casee in Features | 2 Comments

Books to Binge On

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 July of 2021.


Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) by Jennifer Estep

Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy.

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne…

Holly: I am so ridiculously excited to read more about Gemma and Grimley!

Rowena: I need to finish the last series so that I can jump into this one. I’m definitely going to buy this one so that I can have it on hand after I’m all caught up.


Devil in Disguise (The Ravenels #7) by Lisa Kleypas

New York Times bestseller Lisa Kleypas returns with an enthralling and steaming romance between a widowed lady and a Scot on the run—who may have connections to one of London’s most noble families.

“The devil never tries to make people do the wrong thing by scaring them. He does it by tempting them.”

Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.

From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.

So far, neither of those is going well.

Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals his secret connection to one of England’s most powerful families. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.

Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves… even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.

Holly: This was a great addition to the Ravenels series. I loved revisiting some of my favorite characters and seeing how Merritt has grown and changed from early books. I re-read Devil in Winter before reading this one, and I’m glad I did.

Rowena: I’m with Holly. This one was a wonderful addition to this series and I’m planning to re-read this one again just because I enjoyed it so much.


Last Guard (Psy-Changeling Trinity #5) by Nalini Singh

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to a world devastated by change in her award-winning Psy-Changeling Trinity series, where two people defined by their aloneness hold the fate of the Psy in their hands…

Termed merciless by some, and a robotic sociopath by others, Payal Rao is the perfect Psy: cardinal telekinetic, CEO of a major conglomerate, beautiful—and emotionless.

For Canto Mercant, family and loyalty are everything. A cardinal telepath deemed “imperfect” by his race due to a spinal injury, Canto cares for the opinions of very few—and ruthlessly protects those he claims as his own. Head of intel of the influential Mercant family, he prefers to remain a shadow in the Net, unknown and unseen. But Canto is also an Anchor, part of a secretive designation whose task it is to stabilize the PsyNet. Now that critical psychic network is dying, threatening to collapse and kill the entire Psy race with it.

To save those he loves, Canto needs the help of a woman bound to him by a dark past neither has been able to forget. A woman who is the most powerful Anchor of them all: Payal Rao. Neither is ready for the violent inferno about to ignite in the PsyNet…or the passionate madness that threatens to destroy them both.

Holly: I’ll be honest, the Psy books aren’t my favorites in this series. Still, I’m excited for this one. I want to know more about the PsyNet anchors.

Casee: I am looking forward to reading how two Psy can fall for each other. I can’t wait.

Rowena: As long as Nalini Singh writes Psy-Changelings books, I’ll be excited to read them. Gah, I can’t wait to read this one.


The Adversary (Chronicles of Rhyacia #2) by Thea Harrison

From NYT bestselling author Thea Harrison comes the explosive conclusion to The Unseen!

When Dragos and Pia move to the Other land of Rhyacia, they hope starting a new life will bring safety and freedom to their family, especially their young baby, Niall. And at first their new home seems perfect… but looks are deceiving.

Beneath Rhyacia’s idyllic façade an ancient, malevolent force lurks, waiting for the right opportunity to break free of its cage. When that opportunity comes, it strikes with devastating accuracy.

While Dragos has never backed down from a fight, he’s also never encountered an enemy like this one before. How can he fight a foe who doesn’t have a body? A foe who can invade and turn his own mind against him?

How can Dragos protect his family, when at any moment one of them may become the enemy?

As Dragos and Pia race against time to fight this unseen menace, they must also acknowledge a terrifying truth—when anyone can become the enemy, no one can be trusted.

An adversary who can trap the dragon poses a threat to everyone in Rhyacia, and that means no one is safe…

***This book does NOT end on a cliffhanger***

Holly: Finally. I’ve been dying to find out what happens to Dragos and Pia in the Other lands.


Witches Get Stitches (Stay a Spell #3) by Juliette Cross

Violet Savoie has a plan. A dream, rather. To open her own tattoo shop, which caters to supernaturals in need of permanent charms. As a powerful Seer, she has the potent magic to cast every kind of spell. Except the kind to give werewolves control over their beastly side. And her business partner Nico needs help in the worst kind of way.

Nico Cruz has a secret. A motive, rather. To subtly stalk and seduce Violet until she finally recognizes they are fated to be together. Ever since their heated encounter in Austin on New Year’s Eve two years earlier, he’s been dying to get his hands—and his tongue—back on her body. He knows a woman like Violet can’t be courted in the usual way. Luckily, Nico has no scruples about misbehaving to get what he wants.

But when his former pack roams into town, and an old friend is far too interested in Violet, his focus shifts to the threat venturing into his territory. Nico may come across as the quiet, broody one, but the intruders are about to regret stepping foot in New Orleans. And when Violet goes missing, no charm or spell can keep Nico’s wolf at bay.

Holly: This is a really great series. Lighthearted, but not campy. I’m super excited to see what happens between Nico and Violet.


Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights #9) by K.F. Breene

The DDVN World story continues, largely told from Reagan’s point of view, but including all major players.

Reagan’s trip down to the underworld was never going to remain a mystery. And now Lucifer is actively looking for the woman and her vampire cohort that raised hell in his domaine.

When a band of demons come to the surface with a note asking after Lucifer’s heir, the truth of Reagan’s true lineage can no longer be hidden.

The problem is, the elves remember Lucifer’s past heir, and how he nearly took down the Realm. This time, they do not intend to stand by while Lucifer finds his heir and raises her to power. This time, they’ll cut the problem out at the root.

Reagan went from a nobody in NOLA, to the most wanted woman in all the worlds. It’s time for her to own who and what she is. It’s time for her to fight back.

Holly: This series is broken up into sub-series, with a central plot revolving around Reagan, her mysterious parentage and what happens when dear-old-dad finally realizes she exists. I didn’t love Reagan in the first trilogy, but I am anxious to find out what happens going forward. Plus, I want more Penny.


Exposed (VIP #4) by Kristen Callihan

Brenna

There are some people in life who know exactly how to push your buttons. For me, it’s Rye Peterson. We can’t spend more than ten minutes together before we’re at each other’s throats, which makes working together that much harder. Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and I am his publicist. It doesn’t help that the man is gorgeous, funny, talented, and…never takes anything seriously. Avoidance is key.

But everything changes when he overhears something he shouldn’t: a confession made in a moment of weakness. Now the man I’ve tried so hard to ignore is offering me the greatest temptation of all—him.

Rye

Brenna James is the one. The one I can’t have. The one I can’t get out of my mind. Believe me, I’ve tried; the woman loathes me. I managed well enough—until I heard her say she’s as lonely as I am. That she needed to be touched, held, satisfied. And I could no longer deny the truth: I wanted to be the one to give her what she craved.

I convinced her that it would just be sex, mutual satisfaction with nothing deeper. But the moment I have her, she becomes my world. I’ve never given her a good reason to trust me before. Now, I’ve got to show Brenna that we’re so much better together than we ever were apart.

Things are going to get messy. But getting messy with Brenna is what I do best.

Rowena: It’s been a cool minute since I read the last book in this series but I’m way into the idea of reading this one, especially since it’s Brenna’s book. I can’t wait to pick it up for myself so on my list of books to binge this one goes.


Waylaid (True North #8) by Sarina Bowen

It’s a tale as old as time: the bad boy meets the good girl. He makes a daring proposition. Then the boy gets a mysterious head injury and loses a year of his life…

The first time I meet Rickie, I don’t know what to make of him. The second time we meet, he doesn’t remember the six hours we spent together. Or standing me up afterward.

I’m not the same, either. I’ve got secrets. I’ve told lies. Bad boys aren’t my type, anyway. Even the ones with troubled gray eyes.

But now we’re roommates. Cue the awkward moments in the hallway when he’s wearing only a towel and a smile. He’s determined to win me over, and his talented hands weaken my resolve.

It’s all fun and games until my past rears its ugly head and his secrets come to light, shaking our fragile connection, maybe even breaking it…

Note: this is Daphne Shipley’s story. Contents include Vermonty ice cream flavors, nerdy awkwardness, tattoos, and a playboy grandpa.

Rowena: I still have a few Sarina Bowen books that I need to catch up on and I’m probably going to add this book to that list but I don’t even care…I’m excited to get and read this book since I absolutely adore Daphne. I’m glad she’s finally old enough to get her own happy ending.


XOXO by Axie Oh

Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word.

Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating.

When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.

Rowena: I couldn’t resist this one. It looks super cute and it’s got a k-pop love interest? Yep, count me all the way in!

What books are you looking forward to reading this month? Share in the comments!


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2 responses to “Books to Binge On: July 2021

  1. DiscoDollyDeb

    I currently have five books on my July tbr (plus one book that I’m on the fence about)—so as of now I’m looking forward to:

    Jackie Ashenden’s latest HP, THE INNOCENT CARRYING HIS LEGACY (July 1). If I’m reading the blurb correctly, the heroine offered to carry her best friend’s baby, but then her friend died and the heroine, mid-pregnancy, seeks out the baby’s father—only to discover he’s a Sheikh (because of course he is—this is, after all, the Harlequin Presents universe).

    Kylie Scott’s PAUSE arrives on July 13. The heroine has been in a coma since a car crash. When she awakens, she discovers her husband has moved on with another woman (Jeez, how long was she in that coma?). Then the heroine meets the man who saved her life after the crash. Based on that synopsis, this one almost has an Aly Martinez feel to it.

    Kati Wilde’s EVIL TWIN is currently scheduled for July 19. This is a fantasy novel featuring the “wrong twin” trope. Kati freely admits her publication dates are rarely set in stone, so I’ll be thrilled if this does arrive on the date scheduled, but I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t.

    Sarina Bowen’s latest True North book, WAYLAID, arrives July 20. This is Daphne Shipley’s story—she’s the youngest Shipley sibling, so this is definitely going to be an N/A-college romance. I can’t figure out if the storyline involves amnesia—the blurb says the hero “doesn’t remember the hours he spent” with Daphne. Bowen is hit or miss for me, but I did like her previous book, ROOMMATE, so I’m hoping WAYLAID will be as good.

    Ella James continues her stroll through the sins and secrets with WRATH, dropping July 28. This one is m/m stepbrothers antagonists-to-lovers. James does dark & sexy m/m really well, so WRATH should be all kinds of good stuff.

    I’m of two minds about Andie J. Christopher’s HOT UNDER HIS COLLAR (July 20). On the one hand, it features one of my favorite transgressive catnips: a priest driven by passion to betray his vow of celibacy. On the other hand, the book’s cartoony illustrated cover does nothing for me:

    https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Under-Collar-Andie-Christopher-ebook/dp/B08N6SGDF2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=andie+j.+christopher+hot+under+his+collar&qid=1624975830&sr=8-3

    I feel the story of a priest torn between love for a person and love for the Church should have a cover befitting the seriousness of that theme—and the rom-com look of HOT UNDER HIS COLLAR in no way communicates the tortured angst that should drive a good “priest breaking his celibacy vow” romance (I mean, I only had to look at the cover of Sierra Simone’s PRIEST to know there was epic angst and hot sexy-times ahead). Also, HOT UNDER HIS COLLAR is currently priced at $9.99 for the ebook—and that’s too rich for my blood! I’ll be waiting for a price drop or for HOT UNDER HIS COLLAR to appear on my library’s Overdrive offerings.

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