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I saved my introduction for after I’d put this list together, so let me tell y’all, this is really the season of blessings because so many favorite authors are blessing us with something new and I, for one, cannot wait to read them. I already know there are so many books that I’m missing so I can’t wait to see what y’all tell me about either! But for now, let us get to this list, shall we?

The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale

Synopsis: Writer Freya Lal has a huge secret: she’s a dead ringer for It-girl actress Mandi Roy. Her second novel is due in a month, but inspiration is nowhere to be found. Desperate to shake off her writer’s block, Freya leans into her look-alike abilities and indulges in some mistaken identity for simple perks, like scoring a free mimosa or getting into a trendy nightclub. 

Actor Taft Bamber appears to have it all: gorgeous, talented, and Mandi’s love interest both on- and off-screen. But what nobody knows is that their relationship is a PR stunt, and after years of playing make-believe, he’s yearning for something real. 

When Freya’s latest impersonation of Mandi goes viral thanks to Taft’s accidental interference, rumors of a breakup threaten Hollywood’s golden couple. To make amends, Freya is forced to give Mandi a little time off: she’ll pretend to be the actress for a month, move in with Taft, and squash the rumors by acting completely in love. But as Freya and Taft play house, it becomes impossible to ignore that their instant chemistry isn’t just for the cameras. While faking it, they might have just found the real thing.

Why I’m Excited: I really enjoyed The Shaddi Set Up last year and so I’m very much looking forward to Vale’s next adult romance!

Release Date: September 6, 2022

Lucy on the Wild Side by Kerry Rea

Synopsis: Lucy Rourke has two great loves in her life: the gorilla troop she cares for as a primatologist and the laundry list of reality TV shows she watches to escape the fact that her actual love life doesn’t exist. And like a reality contestant gunning for the final rose, Lucy’s laser-focused on one thing: getting promoted to head keeper. So when a wildlife docuseries hosted by hotshot TV personality Kai Bridges chooses her zoo as its summer filming location, she sees an opportunity to showcase her beloved gorillas to the world and land a starring role in her department. 

When Kai and his film crew arrive, however, it’s obvious to Lucy that Kai cares more about sky-high ratings than the gorillas, and he considers her a camera-averse know-it-all whose wardrobe consists entirely of khaki. But she’s surprised to discover there’s more to him than his rugged good looks and cheesy catchphrases…and that maybe a promotion isn’t the only thing she wants. But when secrets from their pasts threaten to complicate everything, Lucy discovers that happiness and success aren’t the same thing—and that finding joy just might mean getting a little wild.

Why I’m Excited: I absolutely adore The Wedding Ringer and it remains one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. So I am very much looking forward to Rea’s follow up!

Release Date: September 13, 2022

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

Synopsis: Bettie Hughes once knew the comfort of luxury, flaunting a ridiculous collection of designer shoes and a stealthy addiction to CBD oils. That is, until her parents snipped her purse strings. Long obsessed with her public image, Bettie boasts an extravagant lifestyle on social media. But the reality is: Bettie is broke and squatting in Colorado, and her family has no idea.

Christmas, with its pressure to meet familial expectations, is looming when a drunk Bettie plays a vinyl record of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” backwards and accidentally conjures Hall, an unexpectedly charming Holiday Spirit in the form of a man. Once the shock wears off, Bettie knows she’s stumbled upon the greatest gift: a chance to make all her holiday wishes come true, plus a ready-made fiancé.

But as the wiles of magic lose their charm, Bettie finds herself set off-kilter by Hall’s sweet gestures. Suddenly, Bettie is finding her heart merry and light. But the happier she gets, the shorter Hall’s time on earth grows. Can Bettie channel the Christmas spirit and learn to live with goodwill toward all men? Or will her selfish ways come back as soon as the holidays are over?

Why I’m Excited: I love Sarah Hogle’s writing. This is more of a Christmas romance type situation with a bit of a paranormal something or other, I think, so it’ll be a bit different. I’m really looking forward to it regardless.

Release Date: October 4, 2022

A Turn of the Tide by Kelley Armstrong

Synopsis: In Thorne Manor there is one locked door. Behind it lies a portal to the twenty-first century, and nothing is going to stop Miranda Hastings from stepping through. After all, she is a Victorian writer of risqué pirate adventures—traveling to the future would be the greatest adventure of them all.

When Miranda goes through, though, she lands in Georgian England…and in the path of Nicolas Dupuis, a privateer accused of piracy. Sheltered by locals, Nico is repaying their kindness by being their “pirate Robin Hood,” stealing from a corrupt lord and fencing smuggled goods on the village’s behalf.

Miranda embraces Nico’s cause, only to discover there’s more to it than he realizes. Miranda has the second sight, and there are ghosts at play here. The recently deceased former lord is desperate to stop his son from destroying his beloved village. Then there’s the ghost of Nico’s cabin boy, who he thought safe in a neighboring city. Miranda and Nico must solve the mystery of the boy’s death while keeping one step ahead of the hangman.

Why I’m Excited: I’m loving Armstrong’s time travel romances. And her time travel mystery, for that matter. I think I should probably stop being a scaredy cat and try her Rockton books because I think I just love her writing.

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

Synopsis: When Cassie Klein goes to an off-campus bar to escape her school’s Family Weekend, she isn’t looking for a hookup—it just happens. Buying a drink for a stranger turns into what should be an uncomplicated, amazing one-night stand. But then the next morning rolls around and her friend drags her along to meet her mom—the hot, older woman Cassie slept with.

Erin Bennett came to Family Weekend to get closer to her daughter, not have a one-night stand with a college senior. In her defense, she hadn’t known Cassie was a student when they’d met. To make things worse, Erin’s daughter brings Cassie to breakfast the next morning. And despite Erin’s better judgement—how could sleeping with your daughter’s friend be anything but bad?—she and Cassie get along in the day just as well as they did last night.

What should have been a one-time fling quickly proves impossible to ignore, and soon Cassie and Erin are sneaking around. Worst of all, they start to realize they have something real. But is being honest about the love between them worth the cost?

Why I’m Excited: I enjoyed Wilsner’s debut fairly well, but this one sounds a little messy and also much steamier and I’m in the mood for that in a ff romance at the moment.

Release Date: October 11, 2022

Archangel’s Resurrection by Nalini Singh

Synopsis: For thousands of years, the passion between Alexander, Archangel of Persia, and Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, burned furious and bright, seemingly without end. But to be an archangel is to be bound to power violent and demanding. Driven by its primal energy, Alexander and Zanaya fought as fiercely as they loved. Locked in an endless cycle of devotion and heartbreak, it is only Zanaya’s decision to Sleep that ends their love story.

Eons later, it is the Cascade of Death that wakens them both. The passion between them a flame that yet burns, Alexander and Zanaya stand together in one last battle against the ultimate darkness. But even a warrior archangel cannot win every war. Alexander’s scream shatters the world as Zanaya falls, broken and silent…only to rise again in a miracle that may be a devastating curse. For is it truly the Queen of the Nile who has been resurrected?

Why I’m Excited: I mean, first of all, it’s Nalini. Secondly, I’m really looking forward to Alexander’s romance, actually. I was admittedly hoping for a follow up for Aodhan and Illium, but I’m going to assume that’s coming eventually.

Release Date: October 25, 2022

A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis: The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.

Why I’m Excited: Honestly, if you’d told me at the beginning of the year that this would be on my most anticipated books list, I wouldn’t have believed you. But I’m enjoying my life post giving into the hype. I think JLA has created an interesting world and I’m happy to live in it.

Release Date: November 15, 2022

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

Synopsis: Maria’s one-night-stand—the thick-thighed, sexy Viking of a man she left without a word or a note—just reappeared. Apparently, Peter’s her surly Gods of the Gates co-star, and they’re about to spend the next six years filming on a desolate Irish island together. She still wants him…but he now wants nothing to do with her.

Peter knows this role could finally transform him from a forgettable character actor into a leading man. He also knows a failed relationship with Maria could poison the set, and he won’t sabotage his career for a woman who’s already walked away from him once. Given time, maybe they can be cooperative colleagues or friends—possibly even best friends—but not lovers again. No matter how much he aches for her.

For years, they don’t touch off-camera. But on their last night of filming, their mutual restraint finally shatters, and all their pent-up desire explodes into renewed passion. Too bad they still don’t have a future together, since Peter’s going back to Hollywood, while Maria’s returning to her native Sweden. She thinks she needs more than he can give her, but he’s determined to change her mind, and he’s spent the last six years waiting. Watching. Wanting.

Why I’m Excited: I mean, I love Olivia Dade. Her books are always going to make my list. But also, what a fantastic synopsis. I’m looking forward to this one.

Release Date: November 15, 2022

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Synopsis: Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything.

It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?

Why I’m Excited: ’tis the season for some favorite authors to be dropping their releases, I guess. I can’t wait for this new one from Kennedy.

Release Date: November 15, 2022

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese

Synopsis: Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.

Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash their hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.

To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder, what if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

Why I’m Excited: See above. Honestly, November is a blessed month with how many favorites are dropping something new. I can’t wait to read this one!

Release Date: November 22, 2022

Honorable Mentions

There were genuinely so many books to choose from for this list. Fall 2022 is the season, apparently, so please just click the links to take you to Goodreads synopses for these Honorable Mentions that I assure you, I’m highly anticipating, even if they weren’t included in the top ten.

• The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish – 9/6/22
• A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy – 9/20/22
• Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin – 9/27/22
• A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet – 10/4/22
• Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy – 10/4/22
• A Little Too Late by Sarina Bowen – 10/4/22 (This kicks off the Madigan Mountain series with Rebecca Yarros and Devney Perry, both of their books release in the Fall as well. I’m curious about all three!)
• Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai – 10/18/22
• Built to Last by Erin Hahn – 10/18/22
• Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds – 10/25/22
• Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun – 11/1/22
• Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell – 11/1/22
• Better Than Fiction by Alexa Martin – 11/8/22
• Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse – 11/15/22
• Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake – 11/22/22
• Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzalez – 11/29/22

And there you have a very long list of books I’m very much looking forward to from September 1 through November 30th this year! What are you looking forward to?

xx