I’ve done one of these posts this week for my anticipated fantasy books, now I want to talk about some of the contemporary and romance books that I’m excited about. There are more of them than I would have expected this time last year, so I’m very looking forward to widening my reading horizons even more next year.
There are five books on this list. Two of these books I’ve already preordered, one I have an ARC of, and the other two I’m waiting to come out. Most of these are adult books, but one YA contemporary has snuck on there, and it’s one that I think many of you will adore.
Weather Girl – Rachel Lynn Solomon (13th January)
After reading The Ex Talk last year and loving it, I knew I had to read Solomon’s next adult novel. Her YA has never appealed to me, but her adult rom-coms seem like a lot of fun. I preordered this when I first started preordering books for 2022, and I’m glad it’s coming so early on in the year.
Ari loves her job as a TV meteorologist, but as optimistic as she is, the fact her boss, the TV weatherwoman, is ignoring her is getting her down. Her boss is too distracted by her affair with the station news manager. The only person who understands is the sports reporter, Russell. Together, the pair of them decide to solve their bosses relationship issues with secret gifts and double dates. Unsurprisingly though, their meddling backfires, and they discover that they actually have plenty of chemistry together.
Yes, this is a plot we’ve seen several times before, but I trust Solomon will do this justice. It sounds cute and like a lot of fun. I’m excited to get to this one pretty quickly.
By Any Other Name – Lauren Kate (1st March)
You may know the known Lauren Kate if you were reading YA back during the paranormal phase. She was the author of the Fallen books, which I read and enjoyed as a teen. She’s back now with an adult rom-com, something that’s totally different to what we know her for. And I’m excited about it.
In this book, we follow Lanie, an editor who has shaped her life around editing romance author Noa Calloway’s words. When she finds out Noa isn’t a middle-aged woman, but in fact, a handsome man called Noah, she’s shocked. Only Noah has writers’ block, and if Lanie doesn’t want to lose her job, she’s going to have to help him find the inspiration.
This book doesn’t sound hugely special. But it does sound cute. I love a good rom-com, and I’ve enjoyed Lauren Kate in the past. I’m more anticipating reading her writing in another genre than I am the story itself. But it still sounds pretty good.
I Feel Like There’s A But Coming – Sophie Ranald (3rd March)
Sophie Ranald has fast become one of my favourite authors. I adore her chick-lit so much. The stories are always fun and easy to read, but serious plot points do pop up and make you feel emotional. I’m always excited to see a new Sophie Ranald book out, and this one is no exception.
Abbie has been with Matt for 20 years since they were 17, and he rescued her from a pigeon. Their relationship has grown stale, and Abbie decides to revitalise things with Operation Memory Lane. Recreating their first date could be fun, and who knows what could happen? What she doesn’t expect is for a secret that she’s been keeping for all those years to be revealed. Or that Matt’s been keeping one too. Suddenly, Operation Memory Lane could ruin everything.
I’m not generally a huge fan of chick-lit that focuses on married couples. Not unless they’re going to break up and find new love. But every now and then, I’ll give one a go if I like the author. This is one of those examples. It does mean that I’m a little less excited than I’d usually be for a Sophie Ranald book, but I know it’s still going to be amazing. I think I’ll probably get this one in audio as her books are great to listen to.
Kiss & Tell – Adib Khorram (22nd March)
This year I have started reading more YA contemporary, and that has led to this book being on my list. Adib Khorram seems like a great guy, and his Darius books were funny and very emotional. So when I heard about this book, I was intrigued. When I saw the cover, I was sold. A little shallow, I know, but I rarely love a contemporary cover so much.
Hunter never expected to be in a boyband, but here he is, about to go on a North American tour. His first boyfriend just broke up with him, and the publicity that led from it has been toxic. Now his label expects him to be the perfect queer role model, and that’s difficult as he tries to find himself. Fortunately, a blossoming romance with a drummer from the band opening for them and support from the teens he meets at meet-and-greets on tour boost him up. Until the label finds out about his new romance and isn’t happy.
This obviously isn’t the only gay boyband romance to be coming out in 2022, but this one looks to be pretty different to If This Gets Out. Hunter is out, the book focuses on him, and though it’ll still focus on fame and the expectations of a label, I think it’s going to feel pretty different. I’m super excited for this one, and I’m glad I’ve preordered it.
Set On You – Amy Lea (10th May)
Looking at this book you might be thinking, I’ve not heard anything about this book but it looks like it’s about fitness. That’s strange for Rosina. And you’d be right. However, the summary of the book just grabbed me instantly when I was emailed about it. I might not care about fitness, but I love cute romances, and I’m super into books about social media and influencers. This is where this novel really grabbed my attention.
Crystal has made a name for herself as a curvy fitness influencer who defeats stereotypes and destroys the trolls, but after a recent breakup, she’s tired of men. The gym is her safe place until she meets a new rival there, Scott. They frequently exchange barbs, so she never expected to see him at their grandparents’ engagement party. In the lead up to the wedding, the pair wind up falling for each other, but when a picture of them finds its way onto the internet, the trolls set out to destroy them.
I kinda love the idea that their grandparents met and fell in love before they did. It suggests there’s going to be some cutesy background story as well as tales of internet fame and hell. I’m truly fascinated by this book.
Lace and Dagger Books 