Our June 2020 Picks

Incredible as it may seem, we’re almost half-way through 2020 – and I’m sure most of us can’t wait to see the back of it :(  But to make that waiting go a little more easily, here are the Gals’ picks for June – the new and upcoming releases we think are likely to be some of the best listens to keep us company over the next few weeks at least. 

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The Prospect by Lyssa Kay Adams

Narrated by Laurie West and Ryan West

I spotted this novella at Audible the other day and it looked fun. – Kaetrin

 

 

Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert

Narrated by Kirt Graves and Joel Froomkin

Annabeth Albert, Kirt Graves and Joel Leslie/Froomkin? A road trip? Only one bed? Is it my birthday?! – Caz

I want to listen to this one too – I’ve been looking forward to it for months. – Kaetrin

 

The Cowgirl’s Forever Love by Vivian Arend

Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov

I’ve been hanging out for this series to arrive on audio. Happy days! – Kaetrin

 

 

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Narrated by Jordan Cobb and A. J. Beckles

This is the first volume of a YA fantasy duology that looks absolutely stunning. It’s inspired by West African folklore, and it features a princess and a refugee who find themselves caught up in a horrible situation. Each is tasked with killing the other, but how can they even contemplate this when they’re falling for one another? I’m not familiar with either of the chosen narrators, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an all-around amazing experience. – Shannon

The Business of Blood by Kerrigan Byrne 

Narration by Justine Eyre

I have been a fan of some of Kerrigan Byrne’s historical romance titles in the past. Though The Business of Blood sounds more like a historical mystery/thriller with a Jack the Ripper background setting, I thought I’d give it a try. – BJ

My first Byrne novel, The Highwayman, was so so good, it made me a fan for life.  She hasn’t quite managed to top that book (although she’s come close), but I’m curious if a new series featuring a female detective protagonist can blow me away again.  She said publishers initially said it was too dark for a historical, too sexy for a mystery, and entirely too much blood for a female sleuth to handle, but to me – it sounds amazing.  Adding it to my listening queue now.  – Em

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

Narrated by Kyla Garcia, Rachel L. Jacobs and Karissa Vacker

I’ve been enjoying Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction titles (with a dash of romance) based on the Cuban revolution and immigrants that came to Florida in connection therewith. Ms. Cleeton’s latest title is set to come out this month and I can’ wait to listen. – BJ  

I’ve been looking forward to The Last Train To Key West for well over a year now. It’s historical fiction with strong romantic elements set in the late summer of 1935. An enormous hurricane is bearing down on Key West, and the lives of three women will be forever changed by this event. I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this evocative story, and I’m excited for the world to embrace it both in print and as an audiobook. The three chosen narrators are people I’ve listened to and loved in the past, so this is bound to be great on all levels. – Shannon

Always the Last To Know by Kristan Higgins

Narrated by Laural Merlington, Amy Rubinate, Xe Sands, and Graham Winton

This lush, deeply moving portrait of a New England family on the verge of collapse is one of my favorite books of 2020 so far. Higgins’ writing is spectacular in every way, and I’m anxious to listen to these narrators bring it to life. Laural Merlington is not someone whose performances I’m usually drawn to, but the other narrators listed here make me super happy. – Shannon
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

I’m a big Lisa Kleypas fan, but this is one title I have yet to listen to, so I’m looking forward to listening to the new recording when it is released. – BJ

Okay – confession time.  I still haven’t read the Hathaway series! It’s sacrilege for such a big fan of historical romance to admit that, but I came to the genre when that series was already finished and it’s been on my catch-up list for ever. The series has been recorded before – by Rosalyn Landor no less – but wasn’t available in the UK, so when I saw this and other titles in the series cropping up at Audible for pre-order, I assumed they were re-issues. But they’re not. They’re new recordings, and as Harper Audio has had the very good sense to use Ms. Landor again, I’ll be jumping right in! – Caz

About a Rogue by Caroline Linden

Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

Caroline Linden and Beverley A. Crick are favourites, so I don’t need to know much more about this one  – Caz

 

 

Just Like That by Cole McCade

Narrated by Kirt Graves

Cole McCade is another of those authors on my “must get to at some point list”. Just Like That is a May/December romance between a professor and former student who returns to his old school to teach. I’ve read an early copy and enjoyed it – the love story is sensual and the prose is quite beautiful – and Kirt Graves is a terrific narrator, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing it again in audio. – Caz

Milo by Lily Morton

Narrated by Joel Leslie

Lily Morton. Joel Leslie. Nuff sed. – Caz

I loved Oz recently and met Milo and Niall in that book so I’m looking forward to knowing exactly how they get their HEA. – Kaetrin

Dance Away With Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Narration by Nicole Poole

Harper Audio has recently started re-releasing SEP’s backlist, which I have been enjoying.  This title sounds somewhat similar to the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr, a series that I devoured over a two month period, so this may also be appealing to audiences that have enjoyed that series. Plus Nicole Poole is a narrator whose work I’ve enjoyed very much in the past. – BJ

No one writes smart, funny, sexy contemporary romances like Susan Elizabeth Phillips. A new book by this beloved author is always cause for celebration in my book, so it should surprise no one to see Dance Away with Me on my list of most anticipated June releases. Nicole Poole is a fantastic narrator, and although SEP’s work will forever remind me of the iconic performances by the late Anna Fields, I’m beyond pleased to see Poole at the helm. – Shannon

Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian

Narrated by Joel Leslie

It’s Joel Leslie All The Time for me this month! This is the latest in Cat Sebastian’s series featuring the Sedgwick brothers, and in this one, we get middle brother Will’s story, plus the redemption of a former villain! – Caz

This one is on my list too. Caz, are you stalking me?? 😃 – Kaetrin (or maybe you’re stalking me?? :P – Caz)

When Harry Met Harry by Sydney Smith

I stumbled across this new Audible Original release from a début author, which is billed as “a modern-day nod to a classic romantic comedy.” (I think we can all guess which one!). I’d listen to Teddy Hamilton read the phone book, but Malcolm Young is a new-to-me narrator, and I’m guessing he’s either a complete newbie to audiobook narration or an experienced narrator using a pseudonym. I’m intrigued enough to give it a whirl – watch this space! – Caz

 

A Vigil in the Mourning by Hailey Turner

Narrated by Gary Furlong

Book four in Hailey Turner’s action-packed paranormal Soulbound series promises to be someting of a game-changer, and although the book came out a few months ago, I’ve been holding out for the audio because I’ve been enjoying Gary Furlong’s performances so much. – Caz

Shards of Frost by Suzanne Wright

Narrated by Jill Redfield

The fifth installment in the Mercury Pack PNR/UF series is releasing in June.  I enjoyed both the writing and narration of the prior series, the Phoenix Pack, so with five books now available in the series to binge on, I may finally start this spin-off series. As an added bonus these books are available on the Kindle Unlimited platform for both reading and listening. – BJ

What I’m Looking For by Karen Grey

Narrated by Karen White and Joe Arden

This is Karen Grey’s début romance – it’s practically historical romance since it’s set in the 1980s! I’ve so enjoyed her actual voice as narrator Karen White, and I’ve been enjoying her author voice as Karen Grey! Also, great narrators! – Melinda