Happy Sunday everyone! With only a few more days until November, it’s the perfect time to take a look at some upcoming releases I’m excited about. There are so many amazing-sounding books releasing, some of which I’ve already read and others I can’t wait to get my hands on. Let’s check them out!
Nov. 7th: Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Title: Check & Mate
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Page Length: 368
Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Synopsis: Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist….
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)
Nov. 7th: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Title: Iron Flame
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: The Empyrean #2
Page Length: 640
Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Publisher: Entangled
Synopsis: Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.
Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.
But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.
Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.
Nov. 7th: The Once and Future Fling by Leigh Heasley
Title: The Once and Future Fling
Author: Leigh Heasley
Page Length: 392
Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Synopsis: Looking for love in all the wrong ages.
Time travel is now legal, and matchmaking agency Kairos lets clients travel through time in search of love.
Ada Blum has always been “an old soul.” She’s convinced that she was born at the wrong time, and after a series of break-ins at her apartment and threatening messages, she’s determined to figure out where she really belongs. She thinks she wants to go to Regency England, meet her Mr. Darcy, and settle down. However, a disastrous date ends with Ada covered in rancid chicken stock and rethinking her plans.
She returns to The Kairos Agency and agrees to try an entirely different era. She travels to 1920s New York where she meets Henry Levison, a small-time hood. After yet another horrible experience, she’s about to give up on the whole matchmaking, time traveling adventure when she bumps into her first love, Samson St. Laurent, a State Senator with whom she had an affair that resulted in a major PR scandal for him and ruined Ada’s life.
Sam is on the run through time, trying to use his knowledge of the future to make a fortune. He says he wants to win Ada back, but she’s not sure that he’s entirely trustworthy. In some ways, she’s drawn to Henry, and when she discovers that he is going to be murdered, she decides to go back and save his life by bringing him to the present day―even if it violates every single Kairos rule.
As Ada jumps back and forth from the present to the past, she’ll have to decide where her heart truly lies and which man she wants in her future.
Nov. 7th: Never Wager With a Wallflower by Virginia Heath
Title: Never Wager with a Wallflower
Author: Virginia Heath
Series: The Merriwell Sisters #3
Page Length: 320
Publication Date: November 7, 2023
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Synopsis: The third and final delightful installment in the Merriwell Sister’s Regency rom-com series.
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago…
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
Nov. 7th: Vengeance of the Pirate Queen by Tricia Levenseller
Title: Vengeance of the Pirate Queen
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Series: Daughter of the Piiate King #3
Page Length: 336
Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Synopsis: You can’t be afraid of the dark when you’re the monster lurking in the shadows.
As an assassin working for the pirate queen, eighteen-year-old Sorinda is surprised when Alosa’s next task for her is not to kill a new target, but to captain a handpicked crew on a rescue mission. Unfortunately, her sailing master is twenty-year-old Kearan. He may be the best helmsman the pirate queen has, but Sorinda finds him a real pain in the arse. Sadly, there are few places on a ship to hide from an attentive man.
As the crew of the Vengeance faces dangerous waters and deadly sea creatures, they accidentally awaken the King of the Undersea, a being who can control the dead. Their rescue mission quickly turns into a fight to save the world, but first, Sorinda must save herself from becoming an undead queen.
Nov. 7th: The Woman with a Purple Heart by Diane Hanks
Title: The Woman with a Purple Heart
Author: Diane Hanks
Page Length: 352
Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Synopsis: Based on the real life of Lieutenant Annie Fox, Chief Nurse of Hickam Hospital, The Woman with a Purple Heart is an inspiring WWII novel of heroic leadership, courage, and friendship that also exposes a shocking and shameful side of history.
Annie Fox will stop at nothing to serve her country. But what happens when her country fails her? In November 1941, Annie Fox, an Army nurse, is transferred to Hickam Field, an air force base in Honolulu. The others on her transport plane are thrilled to work in paradise, but Annie sees her new duty station as the Army’s way of holding the door open to her retirement. But serving her country is her calling and she will go wherever she is told.
On December 7, Annie’s on her way to work when the first Japanese Zero fighter plane flies low over Hickam’s Parade Ground. The death and destruction that follow leave her no time to process what’s happening. She rallies her nurses, and they work to save as many lives as they can. But soon their small hospital is overwhelmed. Annie drives into Honolulu to gather supplies, nurses, and several women who will donate blood. However, the nurses are Japanese Americans, and the blood donors are prostitutes. Under Annie’s leadership and working together in unexpected ways, they make it through that horrific day, when one of the Japanese American nurses and Annie’s friend, Kay, is arrested as a suspected subversive.
As Hickam tries to recover, Annie works to find her friend and return Kay to her family. But Annie’s love for her country is put to the test. How can she reconcile the American bravery and resilience she saw on December 7 with the prejudice and injustice she witnesses just a few months later?
Nov. 7th: Tonight, I Burn by Katharine J. Adams
Title: Tonight, I Burn
Author: Katharine J. Adams
Series: Thorn Witch #1
Page Length: 480
Publication Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Publisher: Orbit
Synopsis: Thorns, Tides, Embers, Storms, and Ores. All five covens are bound in servitude to the tyrant High Warden of Halstett.
Penny Albright is a daughter of the thorn coven, forced to patrol the veil between the realms of Life and Death, keeping it safe and whole. Each night, one thorn witch—and only one—must cross the veil by burning at the stake. Each morning, that witch returns with the help of their magical lifeline. Failure to follow the rules of Death risks them all.
But one morning, Penny’s favorite sister Ella doesn’t return. And that night, determined to find her, Penny breaks the rules. She burns in secret.
What she finds in Death is a manor that shouldn’t exist, home to the devastating Lord Malin, who shouldn’t be there. Malin offers Penny a dangerous deal: Ella’s freedom in exchange for information about the High Warden.
But all isn’t as it seems in Life or Death. Penny’s bargain leads her to Alice, a mysterious captive prophet… and to a rebellion brewing in the shadows of their city. And as Penny’s world splits between her growing love for the ethereal Alice in Life and her attraction to the seductive Malin, in Death, she’ll face a devastating choice.
Because it’s not just her sister’s life that hangs in the balance. It’s the fate of all magic.
All it takes is one witch—and one spark—to set the world ablaze.
Nov. 14th: What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Title: What the River Knows
Author: Isabel Ibañez
Page Length: 416
Publication Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Synopsis: Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.
When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.
With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.
Nov. 14th: Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin
Title: Next-Door Nemesis
Author: Alexa Martin
Page Length:
Publication Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Publisher: Berkley
Synopsis: Two rival candidates for a homeowner’s association presidency are about to find out how dirty suburbanites fight in this steamy new romantic comedy from Alexa Martin.
After years of hustling, Collins Carter has finally made it…back to her parents’ house. Between tending to the compost with her newly retired dad and running into her high school nemesis at the only decent coffee shop in town, Collins realizes this subdivision from hell she swore she’d never return to is her rock bottom.
Then the homeowner’s association complaint arrived.
Nathaniel Adams always dreamed of a nice, quiet life in his suburban hometown. Or at least that’s what he thought until Collins moved back and sent his quaint, organized life into a tailspin. He thought Collins was infuriating ten years ago, but when she announces she’s running against him for HOA president, all bets are off.
From secret board meetings to vicious smear campaigns whispered over backyard fences, Collins and Nate sink to levels their sleepy suburb has never seen before. But as hate turns into lust, these two enemies are forced to reckon with the feelings they’ve ignored for years. If only there were bylaws for real life.
Nov. 14th: Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard
Title: Never Met a Duke Like You
Author: Amalie Howard
Series: Taming of the Dukes #2
Page Length: 384
Publication Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Publisher: Forever Pub.
Synopsis: Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is beautiful, clever, and popular. Afforded every luxury as a duke’s daughter, she fills her days with friends, intrigues, and a self-professed knack for matchmaking. She may have sworn off love for herself, but she is rather excellent at arranging it.
Faced with an insolvent estate, the Duke of Greydon has no choice but to return to England in a final attempt to revive his family’s fortunes. He’s been gone for years, happy to have escaped his mother and the petty circles of the ton. To his dismay, not much has changed, including the beautiful and vexing heiress next door.
But when an accident of fate traps the friends-turned-enemies in an attic together, the explosive attraction between them becomes impossible to ignore and even harder to resist. They are total opposites and their lives don’t align in the slightest, but fate, the ultimate matchmaker, appears to have other plans . . .
Nov. 14th: Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige
Title: Wish of the Wicked
Author: Danielle Paige
Series: Wish of the Wicked #1
Page Length: 384
Publication Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Synopsis: For centuries, the enchanted members of the Entente have worked in tandem with the Three Fates—the Present, the Past, and the Future—to maintain destiny across the Thirteen Queendoms. But when Queen Magrit learns of her untimely demise from Hecate, Fate of the Future, Magrit burns Hecate at the stake and decrees death to all Entente in order to live forever.But some survive, including sixteen-year-old Farrow, who hatches a dangerous plan to seek revenge. Along the way, she finds herself falling for the one person who could ruin everything. With life and love hanging in the balance, she must decide who to trust and what’s most important: living in the past or forging a new future.Bestselling author Danielle Paige launches a brand-new fairy godmother origin story full of intrigue, magic, and romance.
Nov. 14th: The Whole Time by Catherine Bybee
Title: The Whole Time
Author: Catherine Bybee
Series: The D’Angelos #4
Page Length: 363
Publication Date: Nov 14, 2023
Publisher: Montlake
Synopsis: Salena Barone has broken free of her family and moved into an apartment above the D’Angelos’ restaurant, where she works as a manager—without a husband, thank you very much. But even on a restaurant salary, she soon finds herself strapped for cash. Salena’s never been afraid of living on the wild side, though, so she takes on a side hustle that’ll raise big bucks…and eyebrows, if anyone finds out.
Tattooed biker Ryan is the youngest of the wealthy Rutledge wine family and has never dreamed of rings, forever, or continuing the family business. He’s perfectly happy living his own life and helping out hardworking folks in his own way.
When these two independent singles spot each other at a Rutledge-D’Angelo wedding, the attraction is instant. But as their friendship with benefits evolves into something more, the secrets Salena’s keeping—from family, friends, and Ryan—threaten the happily ever after she never knew she wanted.
Nov. 28th: The Knight’s Substitute Bride by Melissa Oliver
Title: The Knight’s Substitute Bride
Author: Melissa Oliver
Series: Brothers and Rivals #2
Page Length: 288
Publication Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Publisher: Harlequin
Synopsis: Could the wrong bride…
Be right for him after all?
For the sake of his family name, Lord Robert must marry to seal an alliance with an Irish clan. Only, the woman at the altar isn’t who he was promised! Instead, it’s her sister, Lady Mairenn! The sharp-tongued Irish beauty is as reluctant to wed as Robert, but as friction turns to fire between them, she’s further derailing Robert’s plans for this purely pragmatic arrangement…
Nov. 28th: To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
Title: To Kill a Shadow
Author: Katherine Quinn
Series: Mistlands #1
Page Length: 448
Publication Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Synopsis: Britannia meets The Mist ―with a touch of Evil Dead ―in this illusory fantasy horror about a kingdom left to darkness…
Jude Maddox knows nothing of love or even light. He knows only his grim duty as the Hand of Death, to lead the Knights of the Eternal Star into a land filled with nightmares and certain demise. It’s only when he sees her ―a young woman with wild, amber eyes who’s as fierce, defiant, and swift as the shadow beasts themselves―that he feels the warmth of life in his blood…
The other Knights may fear their lethal commander, with his hard, merciless demeanor. Outcast Kiara Frey sees only a leader, a man who knows how to survive. A man like her . But wanting him is as treacherous as the shadows themselves…and just as seductive.
With a kingdom on the verge of collapse, the Knights must now venture into the darkest heart of the land and uncover the secrets of the misted shadows, where evil will prey upon their minds and feast on their flesh.
It will betray their senses.
It will surpass their nightmares.
Most of them will die.
But they have no other choice. Because the only way to fight the darkness… is to become it .
Nov. 28th: A Lady’s Rules for Ruin by Jennifer Haymore
Title: A Lady’s Rules for Ruin
Author: Jennifer Haymore
Series: The Lions and the Lilies #2
Page Length: 384
Publication Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Synopsis: She’s found the perfect plan to avoid marriage…
Miss Frances Cherrington has long been criticized as independent and prickly. And she’s fine with it. Truth be told, she’d prefer to be a spinster—damn her family’s desires. But it’s a conversation with the devilishly handsome yet highly infuriating Earl of Winthrop that inspires the perfect escape from her nuptial troubles. Frances could ensure that no one will marry her—by happily ruining her own reputation…
The Earl of Winthrop knows more about ruin than anyone suspects. He’s just uncovered a secret that would tear his name—and everything he’s worked for—to the ground. Certainly, marriage is out of the question…to say nothing of his growing attraction to the forthright and delectable Miss Cherrington.
Though all London is abuzz with Frances’s “disgrace,” she’s determined to use her freedom however she sees fit. Even if it means spending more time with a man who sets her body on fire. But when Frances’s misdeeds catch up to her, the ruinous disaster she finds herself in blazes out of control, taking all of her options with it.
Are you looking forward to any of these? What other November releases are you excited for? Comment below!
I considered THE ONCE AND FUTURE FLING, but it was unclear to me if it was an Arthurian retelling (which is what I want to read, lol). So I’ll keep an eye out for your review!
So many pretty covers! I hope you enjoy all of these books, Julie 😍
Thanks, Dini!
So much to look forward to! I’m mainly hoping to catch up on all the books I’ve meaning to read already… but I do plan to read Iron Flame ASAP!
Ooooh, I hope you’re able to catch up and that you love Iron Flame!
I loved that Hazelwood book, so I hope you do as well. I am also excited for Iron Flame.
I finished it – it was really good! I hope you love Iron Flame!!
I’m excited for Iron Flame along with the rest of the reading world. LOL! I had a physical ARC of Check & Mate and adored it.
Yes! I read Check & Mate too – soooo good!