I’m not one of those readers that can pick up books to read on a whim. I plan out what I’m going to read and every month, I know that I will read a huge chunk of the books that I planned on reading. It makes me happy when I accomplish these reading goals. So here are five books that I plan on reading this month.
1. Every Time You Go Away by Beth Harbison
The next hilarious and heartwarming novel from bestselling author Beth Harbison.
Jane Holcomb isn’t exactly a widow, though she feels like one. She divorced her unfaithful husband, Ben, ten months before he died of a heart attack at the beach house he got in the divorce settlement. He was thirty-two. Two years later, Jane returns to the house to clean it up in preparation to sell it. Much to her surprise, Ben arrives soon after her. He has finally learned his lesson, finally realized she’s the love of his life and that he blew things big-time by cheating on her—unfortunately, he’s only learned this after death. Jane has to contend with her ghost of an ex-husband discreetly while also dealing with the coming and going of various guests—including her sister, who wants to know what the heck is going on with suddenly-skittish Jane, and a handsome contractor who sets sparks flying at Jane, much to the consternation of her jealous late husband. Jane will have to find the strength and independence within herself, as well as the forgiveness that will help her move on with her life and Ben move on past this mortal medium where he is stuck trying to atone for his sins with a sassy ex-wife.
I got this book for review a couple of months ago because it sounded like an interesting read. I’m just about caught up on my review pile so this one is up soon. I can’t wait to dig in.
2. The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely
Sophie Kinsella meets Jennifer Crusie in your next favorite romantic comedy, THE REAL DEAL!
April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on Craigslist since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn’t even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family’s summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can’t handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the Craigslist ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she’s ready to pay to play.
Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I’m the REAL DEAL.
Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He’s this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He’s no gigolo. Please. He’s something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April’s new beau — the bad boy with the heart of gold.
Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents’ inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.
She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.
He didn’t expect to have the time of his life at her parent’s home.
They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game.
But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?
I’ve had my eye on this book ever since I became aware that it was coming out. I participated in the cover reveal on Book Binge and when I got it for review, I was stoked. I plan on reading the heck out of it this month.
3. A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole
Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way
New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.
Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice, and his attraction to her, but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.
Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?
I came across this book while searching for diverse romances and holy cow, this sounds like such a cute romance. I’ve heard loads of good things about Alyssa Cole’s writing so I’m seriously looking forward to digging into this one. Woot!
4. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
I read this book a few years ago and fell in love with Lara Jean. Ames and I are planning to buddy review this book sometime this month and we chose it to prepare ourselves for the Netflix movie that is coming out in August. Yikky skippy!
5. The Real Thing by Cassie Mae
In this electrifying novel from Cassie Mae, two close friends surprise themselves by shifting from platonic love to sexual attraction.
Eric Matua has one friend—his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer. Mia Johnson has thousands of friends—who live in her computer. Along with her email chats and Facebook notifications, Mia also devours romance novels, spending countless hours with fictional characters, dreaming of her own Romeo to sweep her off her feet. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world.
When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. But Eric keeps his desires locked away, unsure of himself and his ability to give his best friend what she deserves in a boyfriend. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had.
I’m determined to read my first Polynesian romance and this is going to be the one. I can’t wait to jump right in. This one sounds super intense. Come to mama!
Ooo I now have my eye on the Real Deal as well, I hope it’s on audible! I plan on reading Forever and Always, Lara Jean before the movie comes out. Doesn’t it look absolutely adorable?!
I loved Forever and Always, Lara Jean. I’m so ready for the movie!