Welcome back, book lovers! It’s finally August, which means it is officially the start of Romance Awareness Month! The celebration of love is not exclusive to the large gestures that come with Valentine’s Day. The purpose of this month-long holiday is to take time and reflect on your relationships with loved ones, family, and friends. What better way to observe love than to read about it in books?!
For this week’s edition of Three to Read, we have selected a few romance novels that have just recently been released. If you’re a fan of classic romance tropes like fake dating, love triangles, or enemies-to-lovers, be ready to add these to your TBR!
Hot Pick
The Dead Romantics
by Ashley Poston
SYNOPSIS:
Despite being the ghostwriter for one of the most prominent romance authors in the genre, Florence Day no longer believes in love after a messy breakup. As if things couldn’t get any worse, her handsome editor won’t give her an extension, and she has just received news that her father has passed away. After returning home for his funeral, Florence’s once-alive editor stands before her as a ghost.
WHY:
Ashley Poston is known for her series Once Upon a Con, Heart of Iron, and Radio Hearts. In her new adult romance novel, Poston poses the question: is true love really dead? While Florence tries to find the answer to it, she also starts to second-guess all that she previously knew about love.
Beach Read
Fake It Till You Bake It
by Jamie Wesley
SYNOPSIS:
Nothing says romance more than some sweet treats and fake dating! After turning down a proposal on national television, Jada Townsend-Matthews is on the road to being canceled. In hopes of finding some healing, she returns home to San Diego and begins working at a bakery owned by the uptight professional football player Donovan Dell. But when a reporter proposes that the two are together, Jada and Donovan take advantage of the opportunity to better the business and personal images.
WHY:
Jamie Wesley returns with her first book since 2017, a romance novel that is both sweet and fun! The novel uses famous tropes such as enemies-to-lovers and fake dating and is an open-door romance. From the looks of it, cupcakes aren’t the only hot item in this story!
Dark Horse
Wicked Beauty
by Katee Robert
SYNOPSIS:
Partners Achilles Kallis and Patroclus Foto agree to compete for a spot in Olympus’s inner circle to improve their odds of winning. Aside from gaining this coveted position, Helen Kasios is also part of the prize. In order to secure her right to her life, Helen has also joined the competition. With the Thirteen rulers casting a target on her back, she can only trust Achilles and Patroclus.
WHY:
In this third installment of Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus, readers dive into a modern retelling of Greek mythology’s Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus. Amid their love triangle, Helen wonders if the two truly do have her best interest at heart.
We hope these new romance releases serve as a good start to Romance Awareness Month! If you judge books by their covers, check out Gracie’s article on romances she expects to go viral here!