It’s time for the Gals’ regular look at the lists of new and upcoming releases to see which audiobooks we’re most looking forward to listening to over the coming weeks (plus a couple of late April titles which came out too late to make last month’s list). We’ve got our eyes on titles in a variety of genres – contemporary romance, historical fiction, historical romance, fantasy, romantic suspense and sci-fi – many of them from favourite authors and performed by favourite narrators. There’s some really good stuff on offer this month – what are you adding to your wish list this month?
Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
This is more historical fiction than historical romance, but I’m looking forward to it just the same. It’s the story of a woman working for the French resistance while being forced to open up the Ritz to the Nazi soldiers who were occupying France. World war II stories are some of my favorite things these days, and Barbara Rosenblat is definitely a talented narrator, so May 21st can’t come soon enough for my liking. – Shannon
A Rogue by Night by Kelly Bowen
Narrated by Ashford McNab
I have enjoyed some of Kelly Bowen and Ashford McNab’s historical romance collaborations in the past, so I’m looking forward to giving A Rogue by Night a listen. – BJ
Kelly Bowen is one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her characters are quirky enough to make them likable without crossing over into the realm of the ridiculous. I adore the chemistry that exists between her leads. This latest book is the third in her Devils of Dover series, and I was lucky enough to read an early copy in print. It’s a fantastic romance, and I’m sure Ms. McNab’s skilled narration will add an extra layer of enjoyment to this already captivating story. – Shannon
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Narrated by Lorelei King
The Mercy Thompson series has been amazing, both from a story and narration perspective, and I can’t wait to listen to the latest (11th) bookin the series! – BJ
I’ve pre-ordered this one! I’ve already read the print book but I love the audios as well. They are must-haves for me. – Kaetrin
There’s not much I can say about a new release in Patricia Briggs’ wildly popular Mercy Thompson series other than I’m counting down the hours until it’s release. Lorelei King is the perfect embodiment of this series, so we’re pretty much guaranteed something stellar. – Shannon
American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera
Narrated by Sean Crisden
A tough, New York social worker falls for the self-made billionaire funding his latest project… and both men are forced to reconsider their views on love and romance. Sean Crisden is a narrator I enjoy listening to, and I do love a fairy-tale happy ending. Looking forward to this one. – Caz
I’ve heard good things about this series and this narrator so I’m interested in trying it – and I love a fairy tale romance. – Kaetrin
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
Narrated by Cornell Collins
I love Talia Hibbert’s writing. So excited to see her books coming out on audio! – Kaetrin
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
I’m reading the book now and it’s fabulous. I’ll be interested to hear the various pronunciations actually as it’s clear from the text that Esme/M speaks using Vietnamese intonation and Khai uses American/Americanised ones.- Kaetrin
I’m not normally drawn to contemporary romances, but I’ve heard nothing but great things about Helen Hoang’s debut novel The Kiss Quotient. Now, she’s releasing a follow-up, and I’m super excited to get my hands on them both. I’ve listened to and enjoyed Emily Woo Zeller’s narrations in the past, so I’m hoping for an all-around great listening experience. – Shannon
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Narrated by Vanessa Johansson and Amy Landon
A new book by Colleen Hoover–sign me up! This is one author that I can always count on, so I will be faithfully listening to Verity sometime soon! – BJ
Rebel by Beverley Jenkins
Narrated by Kim Staunton
Do you know I’ve lived my entire life without reading a book by Beverley Jenkins? Obviously this has to change. Bad Kaetrin! – Kaetrin
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell and Deacon Lee
The Christina Lauren writing duo is also usually an auto-click for me, and as a bonus I have enjoyed some of Deacon Lee’s narrations in the past. – BJ
The Price of Paradise by Susana Lopez Rubio (Achy Obejas – translator).
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell and Thom Rivera
I have recently listened to a few historical romances set in Cuba that have captured my attention, so when I saw this title, which is set in 1947 in Cuba, it captured my attention. – BJ
Rule Breaker by Lily Morton
Narrated by Joel Leslie
This one actually came out in April, too late to make our April column, so and I’m sneaking it in here. Rule Breaker is one of those books friends have been on at me to read for ages, so I was delighted to see it come out in audio. It’s a boss/assistant romance that promises the sort of angst and stark that’s right up my alley. Joel Leslie is an excellent narrator, so I’m really looking forward to this one. – Caz
The Dark Bones by Loreth Anne White
Narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith
The Angie Pallorino series made me a big fan of Loreth Anne White’s books, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting her next one. I’ve actually read and advance copy of The Dark Bones and enjoyed it very much; it’s loosely linked to her earlier title, The Dark Lure, but works perfectly well as a standalone, in which a big-city cop goes back to the small hometown she left hoping never to return following the death of her estranged father… which is not the open-and-shut case it originally seemed to be. – Caz
In the Shadows by Hailey Turner
Narrated by Greg Boudreaux
In the Shadows is book three in Hailey Turner’s Metahumans series of futuristic military romances. I’m really enjoying the blend of action, suspense and (very) steamy romance in the stories, and there’s an overarching story, so I’m eagerly awaiting each new release. This one focuses on a different couple in terms of the romance and looks to be a good one. Greg Boudreaux’s narration will no doubt be as awesome as ever ;) – Caz