#avonbook

[bucolicbook]

Wicked Serve (Beyond the Play, #4) by Grace Reilly 

US pub date - 8/13/24

*secret relationship

*college sports (both MC’s)

*he falls first 

*her brother’s hockey rival 

*dual POV 

*mental health rep 

*strong family bonds 

*spicy

I started this without reading any of the previous titles and, aside from definitely feeling like I was missing out occasionally, read it easily as a standalone. 

I do tend to enjoy sports romances but I found this particular one way. too. long. I also didn’t like how Izzy kept prying and pressuring Nik to share. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. 

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC 

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

Breakaway by Grace Reilly is now live! 

The BookTok sensation: a spicy coach’s daughter college sports romance, second in the Beyond the Play series, with new exclusive content in this edition!

A secret friends-with-benefits arrangement with the hockey coach’s daughter shouldn’t have a shot in the dark of leading to more…

Cooper

As a pro-bound college athlete with a good-time reputation, I usually have my pick of puck bunnies. But lately, I’ve been in a dry spell that feels more like a curse, and the stress is affecting my game—the one thing that can’t happen if I’m going to make team captain, and eventually the NHL.

Enter Penny Ryder.

She’s my coach’s daughter, but the moment she pulls me into that ice rink closet, she’s the one thing on my mind besides hockey. She has a sex bucket list, and each item on it confirms we’re kindred spirits in the bedroom. If I say yes, I’ll be relaxed on the ice again—but if her dad finds out, I’ll be forced to say goodbye to being captain and finally earning my own father’s approval.

Penny

Thanks to the ex from hell, I’m a long way from being ready for a relationship—but it’s time to reclaim my agency, one long-sought-after experience in bed at a time.

Enter Cooper Callahan.

He’s my dad’s star defenseman; an arrangement with him will mean keeping yet another major secret from my father. But the agreement we strike is simple: secret friends-with-benefits until he makes captain…and I cross off everything on my list, so I can finally move on from the incident that ruined both my life and my figure skating career.

Yet the longer our connection goes on, the more we trust each other, and the less I want to say goodbye. I know love leads to heartbreak, but what if it can also clear the ice for a breakaway?

Filled with swoons, spice coaching, sports, and book nerds in love, Breakaway is a don’t-miss adult college sports romance.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo! 

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3J3cdjj

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/43KQCFR

Nook: https://bit.ly/3IYOm4x

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3PPFdir

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3U2mWB2

Audible: https://adbl.co/3vFoeZl

Narrated by: Brian Meslar & Faith Clark

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3POm8gt

[hollymbryan]

🔍 BOOK FEATURE 🔍 Q: Do you think you'd make a good sleuth, and why or why not? A: I think I would, because I'm very observant, I love research, and I've both read and watched a TON of mysteries! But who knows what real life sleuthing would be like 😂 🔍 Today I'm featuring this gorgeous copy of A MOST INTRIGUING LADY by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, @sarahferguson15 😍 Thanks so much to #partner @bibliolifestyle @avonbooks for sharing this release with me! Swipe for the synopsis, which had me at Victorian era, romance, and an intrepid lady sleuth! You can grab your copy today, as this one released on 7 March. 🔍 🔍 🔍 #amostintriguinglady #sarahferguson #bibliolifestyle #sarahduchessofyork #gifted #avonbooks #victorianera #victorianengland #ladysleuths #ladysleuth #ladysleuthwriters #victorianmystery #victorianmysterynovel #victorianmysteryfiction #victorianmysteries #amateursleuth #amateursleuths #bookstagrammers #bookstagramtour #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookfeature #newreleasebooks #newrelease #newreleases https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5jUKiLVqL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thebooklush]

Happy book birthday to @msthienkim! I can't wait to dive into her second book! New Orleans? A boudoir photographer heroine? Opposites attract? SIGN ME UP! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ About the book: Boudoir photographer Josie Parks never ever takes a vacation. But when a client cancels a New Orleans shoot at the last minute, she decides to fly out from her Washington, D.C., studio anyway. Maybe the trip will reawaken her recently stagnant muse. After all, it’s Mardi Gras season… ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Spencer Pham has come home after twelve soul-sucking years in corporate hell to pursue his passion: making a docu-film on his family’s history as the first Vietnamese Mardi Gras krewe. The last thing he expects is getting whacked in the head by a beautiful woman trying to snag some parade beads. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ During a long night at urgent care, Spencer and Josie connect over their artistic pursuits. He offers to show her the real New Orleans, if she’ll help him with the camerawork for his film. Despite Josie’s type-A personality clashing with Spencer’s laissez-faire attitude, they seem to make a great team, and soon, the good times are rolling both on and off camera. But Josie has a life in D.C., and they both have big dreams they’re chasing. When this Big Easy fling starts feeling awfully serious, can they find a way to choose between personal and professional passion? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #romcom #bookbirthday #bookstagram #bookish #amreadingromance #romancebooks #romanceauthor #romancereader #AvonBooks #bookstagram #VietLit #aapiauthors #AsianBooks #dc #romcom #diverseromance #inclusiveromance #irromance #HappilyEverAvon #FullExposure #interracialromance #romancebooks #Romancelandia https://www.instagram.com/p/Co7YCeML1v3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[atldwordhaven]

Book Review: The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

Book Review: The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love the Fantasy genre. I love the escape from the daily doldrums (and my own mind) that fantasy provides and if you ask me there just isn’t enough magic in the world. I recently read C.L. Wilson’s The Winter King, a fantasy romance, where we have warring kingdoms, magic, and objects of great power with relatable characters who leap off the page. I don’t usually read romance but I do…

[wereadtoliveathousandlives]

there’s a petition started to change the cover of the tv tie-in edition of Romancing Mister Bridgerton.

From the organizers:

Hi everyone,

I'm sure you’ve seen the book cover and poster art for Bridgerton S3 by now, as well as Nicola Coughlan’s post with the original version of the poster image.

In 2024, it’s really disappointing to see the female lead of a show be so heavily edited, whilst the male lead has been hardly touched. While we understand that marketing images will always have touch-ups, the amount that was done to Nicola is frankly sexist and insulting to her and her hair and makeup artistry team.

We know that the editors have overlaid their faces so that they’re both looking in different directions. However, when we compare the two photos, we can see that beyond basic retouching and flipping her face, the following edits to Nicola have been made:

Redefined her chin

Erased her elbows

Elongated her arm

Enlarged her lips

Changed the shade of her eyes

Changed her makeup

Added cleavage

The following edits have been made to Luke Newton:

Increased saturation and sharpened

All this on the cover of a book about finding self-acceptance.

If you would like Avon Books, Shondaland and Netflix to change the poster and book cover, please sign this petition here: https://chng.it/nDh4qnvkJn

We’d appreciate any shares we can get on socials tagging @avonbooks @shondaland and @netflix.

We know that the books will likely already have been printed, but we also know that they can be reprinted. There is time for the posters to be redone.

And if not, we're calling out bad marketing.

[charlinert]

Bridgerton Season 3 Poster and Netflix Tie-in Cover of RMB

Hi everyone, I'm copying and sharing this message from our Discord server regarding the changes made to Nicola on the Season 3 Poster and Tie-In Cover of RMB.

Just because it happens doesn't necessarily mean that it should happen. Nicola is a beautiful woman and honestly basing this on my own opinion, the original photo is much better than the altered one and looks way more natural.

This goes so far beyond the Bridgerton fandom, so please don't just base this on fandom.

Please consider signing this petition if you feel the same...

......................................

I'm sure you’ve seen the book cover and poster art for Bridgerton S3 by now, as well as Nicola Coughlan’s post with the original version of the poster image.

In 2024, it’s really disappointing to see the female lead of a show be so heavily edited, whilst the male lead has been hardly touched. While we understand that marketing images will always have touch-ups, the amount that was done to Nicola is frankly sexist and insulting to her and her hair and makeup artistry team.

We know that the editors have overlaid their faces so that they’re both looking in different directions. However, when we compare the two photos, we can see that beyond basic retouching and flipping her face, the following edits to Nicola have been made:

Redefined her chin

Erased her elbows

Elongated her arm

Enlarged her lips

Changed the shade of her eyes

Changed her makeup

Added cleavage

The following edits have been made to Luke Newton:

Increased saturation and sharpened

All this on the cover of a book about finding self-acceptance.

If you would like Avon Books, Shondaland and Netflix to change the poster and book cover, please sign this petition here: https://chng.it/nDh4qnvkJn

We’d appreciate any shares we can get on socials tagging @avonbooks @shondaland and @netflix.

We know that the books will likely already have been printed, but we also know that they can be reprinted. There is time for the posters to be redone.

And if not, we're calling out bad marketing.

[jessread-s]

✩🏒🐧Review:

*Thanks to @avonbooks and @tessabaileyisanauthor for providing me with an e-ARC and a finished copy in exchange for an honest review*

Just when I think I’ve nailed down which Tessa Bailey book is my favorite (the answer is all of them), she releases a new one that completely blows me away. “The Au Pair Affair” is no exception! 

“The Au Pair Affair” follows Burgess Abraham, a battle-scarred hockey veteran, and Tallulah Aydin, an aspiring marine biologist, after she agrees to be his live-in nanny. But as boundaries are slowly crossed, Burgess finds himself himselfpulled between his tween daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah.

From their very first interaction in “Fangirl Down”, I knew Tallulah and Burgess belonged together. Their chemistry radiates off the page with Burgess’ surliness perfectly complimenting Tallulah’s quirkiness. With the two of them living under one roof, they begin to open up, confide in, and lean on each other. I love how Burgess was respectful of Tallulah’s boundaries when he learned that her trauma left her feeling uncomfortable around men. He did everything in his power to help her feel safe and did not begin to pursue her until she gave him the ok. Burgess is very protective of her (*swoons*) and I really enjoyed watching Tallulah’s character go from being fearful of letting go to a courageous adventurer with him at her side to give her endless support. 

At the same time Tallulah is there to uplift Burgess when he feels insecure about where he is at in his hockey career. She catches on to the pain he masks to avoid being benched or forced into retirement and she reassures him that he does not need to shoulder his fears alone. Tallulah is nothing if not persistent and convinces Burgess (in a way that made my heart pound more than is probably healthy) to seek out medical attention and show him that he is valued by his teammates.

Bailey does such a great job making their connection feel palpable and creating a conflict that had the two of them fighting for the love that blossomed between them without losing sight of Lissa’s needs. This is a story about healing, finding your happily ever after, and discovering your self-worth. It has consumed my every waking thought since I picked it up and I know I will be obsessing over it for a long time!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[bargainsleuthbooks]

A Most Intriguing Lady by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York #BookReview

The #DuchessofYork has written a new #VictorianEra novel that follows on the success of #HerHeartForACompass. It's part #historicalfiction, part #Mystery, and it was loads of fun. #AMostIntriguingLady #AvonBooks #SarahFerguson #Audibook #2023Books

From Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, a sweeping, romantic compulsively readable historical saga about a Duke’s daughter–the perfect Victorian lady–who secretly moonlights as an amateur sleuth for high society’s inner circle. Victorian London was notorious for its pickpockets. But in the country houses of the elite, gentleman burglars, art thieves and con men preyed on the rich and titled.…

[its-suanneschafer-author]

ICYMI: BOOK REVIEW of #TheForgottenBookshopOfParis by #DaisyWood. Split timeline story with male and female POVs revolving around a Parisian bookstore. https://suanneschaferauthor.com/book-review-the-bookshop-in-paris/@avonbooks @daisywoodwriter

[traceysbeautytreats]

Welcome to January 2023 !!! I hope you all counted down to 2023 with family & friends. The online brochure is available to browse with an online only sale, available through my online shop. https://bit.ly/Traceys-Avonbook https://bit.ly/Traceys-Avonshop (at United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnRRHdJLSe1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bucolicbook]

Viscount in Love (Accidental Brides, #1) by Eloisa James 

US pub date - 7/23/24

I downright adored Viscount in Love; each page was a pleasure to read. I was utterly charmed by Valentine and Florence, Torie was magnificent, and Dom was, while a little dense in places, an ultimately terrific MMC. 

This was a pure fun read. I really enjoyed this series starter and am already looking forward to the next book 😍

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC 

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

First Down by Grace Reilly is now live! 

Tutoring the star quarterback in exchange for a few fake dates won't lead to anything more... right? James Football is my everything. I live, eat, breathe the sport. But when I transfer to McKee University to escape the distractions that nearly cost me my future in the NFL, I'm faced with another consequence: retake and pass the writing class I failed at my last college or lose any chance I have at making it big. That's where fellow senior Beckett Wood—gorgeous, stubborn, and just my type—comes in. She's the key to my success in this class... but the price of her help is a fake relationship, and I never do things halfway. Bex I don't mess around with athletes—I've already learned that lesson–and at first glance, handsome, self-assured James Callahan is no exception. He wants me to help him pass the writing class we're both stuck taking, but I'm too busy to take on yet another responsibility. But when his teammate—my cheating ex—won't leave me alone, I realize I need to convince him I've moved on... and what better way than by pretending to be with James, who wants nothing to do with a real relationship? Yet with every fake kiss, James pulls me deeper into a place that thrills and terrifies me. Why does he make me feel alive like no one else has? And why don't I want it to end?

Download today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UDo6DA

Apple Books: https://apple.co/42AA9Ul

Nook: https://bit.ly/3UERE3H

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3SG4fB6

Google Play:​​ https://bit.ly/3UKokJr

Audible: https://adbl.co/3UGVxFB

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3T0MePC

[stacyalesi]

THE AU PAIR AFFAIR by Tessa Bailey

New #bookreview: THE AU PAIR AFFAIR by Tessa Bailey @tessabaileyisanauthor #tessabailey @avonbooks @HarperCollins #ReadAvon #AvonBooks #HappilyEverAvon #sportsromance #romancereads #hockeyromance #Boston #grumpysunshine #romancestagram #bookstagram

CLICK TO PURCHASE Big Shots, Book 2 From the publisher: #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with an all-new sports rom-com about a burly, surly, single dad who falls head-over-hockey-stick for his quirky live-in nanny… Tallulah is smart, vivacious, and studying to be a marine biologist. She’s also twenty-six and broke. So when Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and…

[jackiesreadingcorner]

UNLADYLIKE RULES OF ATTRACTION By Amita Murray @AvonBooks @AmitaMurray #UnladylikeRulesOfAttraction #BookReview

Available 23rd May 2024 / paperback / ebook/ SYNOPSIS As one of the daughters of an English Earl and his Indian Mistress, Anya Marleigh has defied Regency society’s rules by playing her sitar and singing beautifully for Queen Charlotte at the court of George III. When she comes into an unexpected inheritance, her change of fortune comes with a catch — she must marry before her twenty-fifth…

[i-will-not-be-caged]

I received an eARC of this book from @Avonbooks and @HarperVoyagerUS in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (from Bookshop):

The 1960 baseball season is shaping up to be the worst year of Eddie O’Leary’s life. He can’t manage to hit the ball, his new teammates hate him, he’s living out of a suitcase, and he’s homesick. When the team’s owner orders him to give a bunch of interviews to some snobby reporter, he’s ready to call it quits. He can barely manage to behave himself for the length of a game, let alone an entire season. But he’s already on thin ice, so he has no choice but to agree.

Mark Bailey is not a sports reporter. He writes for the arts page, and these days he’s barely even managing to do that much. He’s had a rough year and just wants to be left alone in his too-empty apartment, mourning a partner he’d never been able to be public about. The last thing he needs is to spend a season writing about New York’s obnoxious new shortstop in a stunt to get the struggling newspaper more readers.

Isolated together within the crush of an anonymous city, these two lonely souls orbit each other as they slowly give in to the inevitable gravity of their attraction. But Mark has vowed that he’ll never be someone’s secret ever again, and Eddie can’t be out as a professional athlete. It’s just them against the world, and they’ll both have to decide if that’s enough.

My review:

I utterly adored this book. It’s a romance novel, and Mark and Eddie’s relationship is at the center of the story, of course, but it’s also a treatise on grief and loneliness, an examination of queer identity, and a love letter to baseball and the way we turn sports into metaphors for life. You don’t have to love baseball to read this book (it’s not my sport of choice), but it’s clear that Sebastian does, or at least understands those who do, and that comes out in the writing.

One thing I really appreciated about the book craftwise is the choice to switch POV in larger sections rather than each chapter like most romances do these days. Sebastian made the same choice with We Could Be So Good and it works just as well here. The extended time with one POV character allows you to really settle in and feel Mark’s grief and Eddie’s loneliness, but we still get to see both of their internal struggles and their growing feelings for each other.

Another thing Sebastian excels at is creating supporting characters who actually feel like real people and not just story props. The team manager, the older sportswriter, the Black pitcher, and even Mark’s dog all have their own personalities and quirks and Sebastian manages to show them to us without just listing a bunch of traits or shoehorning things in. It makes me want to reread the book just to study how she does it so well so I can try and replicate it in my own writing.

Ultimately, this is a beautiful book about finding joy after heartbreak and getting back up after a failure and the way terrible things happen, but we still get to make the next choice and it’s up to us what we do with that chance. I’ll leave you with a couple of my favorite quotes from the novel (I could have chosen so many more):

“Maybe something awful happened, and those girls are going to be changed by it, but they’re still people, and good things can still happen to them. It’s like you said – even after a disaster, there’s still tomorrow.”

“Now, though, he thinks that the game may have earned those metaphors. It’s slow and often seems pointless. It’s beautiful, when it isn’t a mess. There’s a vast ocean of mercy for mistakes: getting hits half the time is nothing short of a miracle, and even the best fielders are expected to have errors. The inevitability of failure is built into the game.”