Tag: Romance

M.A. Wardell’s HUSBAND OF THE YEAR Out in Three Weeks!

Posted on Thursday, October 30th, 2025

M.A. Wardell‘s highly-anticipated new novel, HUSBAND OF THE YEAR is out in three weeks! Due to be published by Forever in North America (November 18th), and Penguin in the UK (November 20th), it’s the fourth novel in the Teachers in Love series. Here’s the synopsis…

Exploring themes of love, family, and parenthood, Husband of the Year is a trade paperback original publication featuring all the characters you’ve met and grown to love and is the highly anticipated final installment in the Teachers in Love series—from an author whose “stories are sweetness and spice wrapped into a big, warm hug” (Alice Oseman, bestselling author of Heartstopper).

Family isn’t only about blood. It’s about the people we choose.

Olan Stone wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with kindergarten teacher Marvin Block. And his daughter, Illona, can’t wait to call Marvin her stepfather. They’re bashert—meant to be. However, as the big day approaches, family tensions and unresolved issues put their future together in jeopardy.

Marvin thought he and Olan had everything all figured out. But he’s realizing that their whirlwind romance may not be the foundation for a lifetime commitment after all. As they struggle through the changes that life is throwing their way, will they be drawn closer together or farther apart?

To celebrate the release, the author will be embarking on a North American book tour! Full details can be found here, but below is a brief run-down…

The other three novels in the acclaimed series — TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS, and NAPKINS & OTHER DISTRACTIONS — are also published by Forever and Penguin.

NAPKINS & OTHER DISTRACTIONS by M.A. Wardell Out Today in a New UK Edition!

Posted on Thursday, October 16th, 2025

A new UK paperback edition of NAPKINS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS by M. A. Wardell is out today! Published by Penguin, it’s the third novel in the author’s acclaimed Teachers in Love series. Here’s the synopsis…

Kent Lester is proud of the joyful, thriving learning community he’s created as principal of Lear Elementary School. But seven years after his divorce, he’s ready to focus on his personal life and spread his bisexual wings. Things get off to a rocky start when Kent’s first date is an uptight control freak – although that doesn’t stop them tangling some sheets.

Vincent Manda never seems able to move past the friend zone, and besides, he’s not sure anyone can handle his OCD. But that night with the bearded, older Kent revealed a side of Vincent he’d never experienced before. And he’s equal parts scared of and desperate for a repeat.

When Lear’s test scores take a nosedive, Kent finds himself under the microscope. Forced to implement new software to monitor and collect school data, he’s horrified to discover that Vincent is working on the project. With his last install ending less than ideally, Vincent’s job depends on this one succeeding – and butting heads with the principal won’t help.

Vincent and Kent need to view each other in a new light, but that could change their futures forever.

The first two novels in the series — TEACHER OF THE YEAR and MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS — are out now, also published by Penguin. The fourth novel, HUSBAND OF THE YEAR, is due to be published by Penguin in the UK, on November 20th.

‘M.A. Wardell’s stories are sweetness and spice wrapped into a big warm hug.’ — Alice Oseman, author of Heartstopper

‘Wardell’s writing is filled with tenderness, delectable heat, and characters so real they feel like friends.’ — Adib Khorram, USA Today bestselling author of It Had to Be Him

The Teachers in Love series is published in North America by Forever.

New Paperback Edition of M.A. Wardell’s NAPKINS & OTHER DISTRACTIONS is Out Today in North America!

Posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

The new paperback edition of NAPKINS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS by M. A. Wardell is out today in North America! Published by Forever, it’s the third novel in the author’s acclaimed Teachers in Love series. Here’s the synopsis…

Now with bonuses! A new epilogue and artwork of the characters. 

This steamy romance follows two men who find themselves working together after a one-night stand — and explores the balance between career and relationships while also dealing with mental health issues — from an author whose “stories are sweetness and spice wrapped into a big, warm hug” (Alice Oseman, bestselling author of Heartstopper).

On paper, they’re a disaster. Between the sheets, they’re a perfect match.

Principal Kent Lester is proud of Lear Elementary School, but seven years after his divorce, he’s finally ready to focus on his personal life. Things get off to a rocky start with his first date — although that doesn’t stop them from spending the night together.

Vincent Manda never seems to be able to move past the friend zone, and besides, he’s not sure anyone can handle his OCD anyway. But hooking up with Kent was a revelation, and he’s both scared and hoping for a repeat.

When his school buys new computer software, Kent’s alarmed to discover that his one-night stand is working on the installation. Even if Kent and Vincent can make a success of this big project, it won’t erase the memories of their disastrous, not-cute meet cute. But could their sizzling sexual chemistry convince them to try a second date?

The first two novels in the series — TEACHER OF THE YEAR and MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS — are out now, also published by Forever. The fourth novel, HUSBAND OF THE YEAR, is due to be published by Forever in North America, on November 18th.

‘M.A. Wardell’s stories are sweetness and spice wrapped into a big warm hug.’ — Alice Oseman, author of Heartstopper

‘Wardell’s writing is filled with tenderness, delectable heat, and characters so real they feel like friends.’ — Adib Khorram, USA Today bestselling author of It Had to Be Him

The UK editions of the Teachers in Love series are published by Penguin; and the new edition of NAPKINS & OTHER DISTRACTIONS is published on Thursday.

New Paperback Edition of M. A. Wardell’s MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, September 18th, 2025

The UK paperback edition of M. A. Wardell‘s MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS is out today! The second novel in the author’s Teachers in Love series, it is published by Penguin. Here’s the synopsis…

Sheldon Soleskin should be having a horrible day. Even though he’s been unexpectedly transferred to a new school right before the holidays, has only one day to set up his new classroom, and just discovered his twin sister’s been hiding an invitation to his ex-boyfriend’s Christmas Eve wedding, he’s still ready to take on the world with a smile on his face and a skip in his step.

Theo Berenson just wants to be left alone to his custodial duties. But when the chipper new first-grade teacher needs help moving furniture the Sunday after Thanksgiving, he’s forced to do something he detests. Help. To make matters worse, Theo’s overbearing parents are coming for Hanukah in a few weeks, and he’s told them he has a boyfriend. Except he doesn’t. Because who would want to date an oaf like Theo?

Working together, these opposites discover they might be able to help each other out. Agreeing to be each other’s dates, they become friends as they practice for their upcoming events. But when all the rehearsing starts feeling a little too real, and both men’s pasts come roaring back to haunt them, will they be able to pull off the ultimate holiday masquerade?

The novel is also available in eBook. The first and third books in the series — TEACHER OF THE YEAR  and NAPKINS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS — are also available in eBook now (book one available in paperback, too).

The North American paperback edition of MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS was published on Tuesday, by Forever!

New Paperback Edition of M. A. Wardell’s MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS Out Now in North America!

Posted on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Today, M. A. Wardell‘s MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS is available in a new paperback edition! Published by Forever, here’s the synopsis…

Now with bonuses! A new epilogue and artwork of the characters.​

This spicy and swoony romance follows two men with opposite personalities as they pretend to date during the holiday season—from an author whose “stories are sweetness and spice wrapped into a big, warm hug” (Alice Oseman, bestselling author of Heartstopper).

Sheldon Soleskin should be having a horrible day. Even though he’s been unexpectedly transferred to a new school right before the holidays, has only one day to set up his new classroom, and just discovered his twin sister’s been hiding an invitation to his ex-boyfriend’s Christmas Eve wedding, he’s still ready to take on the world with a smile on his face and a skip in his step.

Theo Berenson just wants to be left alone to his custodial duties. But when the chipper new first-grade teacher needs help moving furniture the Sunday after Thanksgiving, he’s forced to do something he detests… help. To make matters worse, Theo’s overbearing parents are coming for Hanukah in a few weeks, and he’s told them he has a boyfriend. Except he doesn’t. Because who would want to date an oaf like Theo?

Working together, these opposites discover they might be able to help each other out. Agreeing to be each other’s dates, they become friends as they practice for their upcoming events. But when all the rehearsing starts feeling a little too real, and both men’s pasts come roaring back to haunt them, will they be able to pull off the ultimate holiday masquerade?

The second book in the author’s Teachers in Love series, it is also available in eBook. The first and third books in the series — TEACHER OF THE YEAR  and NAPKINS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS — are also available in eBook now (book one also available in paperback).

The UK paperback edition of MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS is out on Thursday, to be published by Penguin!

Elizabeth Helen’s BEASTS OF THE BRIAR Series Out Now in New UK Paperback Editions!

Posted on Thursday, July 17th, 2025

The acclaimed, best-selling Beasts of the Briar series by Elizabeth Helen is out today in a new set of UK paperback editions! Published by Magpie, the novels are BONDED BY THORNS, WOVEN BY GOLD, FORGED BY MALICE, and BROKEN BY DAYLIGHT. Here’s the synopsis for the first novel in the series…

Four handsome fae princes.

One awkward bookworm.

An Enchanted Vale.

A beastly curse to break.

Rosalina O’Connell lives her life in Orca Cove as quietly as she can.

When her father turns up missing, Rosie goes after him and finds herself in the Enchanted Vale, the land of the fae. Where her father has been imprisoned and Rosie has no choice but to make a deal with four fae Princes to take his place.

As Rosie begins to learn more about the four Princes, she discovers that they have been cursed. The Princes must take on the form of demonic wolves every night and with every year that passes, more of their magic fades away.

If the Princes can each find their mate, they will break their curse and free their realm. Rosie is determined to help them…

The only problem is, the more time she spends with the Princes, the more she’s convinced that she’s the one they’re all meant to be with.

A spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling filled with enchanted fae, morally grey characters, a stupidly hot villain and a princess who has found her Prince Charming. All four of them.

Zeno represents Elizabeth Helen in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

LIVROS & OSSOS by Travis Baldree is Out Now!

Posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

Travis Baldree‘s internationally-best-selling and widely-acclaimed BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is out today in Brazil! LIVROS & OSSOS is published by Intrínseca, and was translated by Flora Pinheiro. Here’s the synopsis…

Ambientada no universo do best-seller Cafés & Lendas, a prequel Livros & Ossos é uma jornada de alta fantasia, primeiros amores e muitos livros antigos

Viv é uma jovem orc que tem sede de batalhas e de vitória, mas sua carreira com os notórios Corvos de Rackam, um bando de mercenários velhos de guerra, vai de mal a pior. 

Depois de ser ferida durante uma caçada a uma poderosa necromante, Viv é enviada contra sua vontade para Murk, uma cidadezinha litorânea, para se recuperar. Para sua tristeza, o máximo de aventura que ela deve conseguir por ali é observar as ondas quebrando na costa. 

Esquecida pelos companheiros de guerra, Viv se distrai passando os dias na livraria Thistleburr, e se surpreende com o fato de que os livros (e a dona mal-humorada do lugar) sejam tão divertidos. Mas essa pode ser justamente a mudança de que precisa para enfim dar um novo rumo à sua vida. 

Só que as façanhas que Viv tanto deseja talvez não estejam tão distantes… Em meio a viajantes misteriosos, gnomos ranzinzas, crushes de verão e um número preocupante de esqueletos à solta, a orc vai descobrir que há muito mais na tranquila Murk do que ela poderia supor.

Emocionante e com um toque de humor, Livros & Ossos reflete sobre a importância da vida em comunidade e a busca por um propósito em meio às peripécias do destino. Situado no mesmo universo de Cafés & Lendas, o livro narra as aventuras da jovem orc antes de ela decidir aposentar sua espada e abrir a própria cafeteria

LEGENDS & LATTES, Travis’s acclaimed debut, is also available via Intrínseca: CAFÉS & LENDAS.

BOOKSHOP & BONEDUST and LEGENDS & LATTES are published by Tor Books in North America and in the UK. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn’t always what we seek.

Set in the world of New York Times bestselling Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree’s Bookshops & Bonedust takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and secondhand books.

Viv’s career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned.

Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk — so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn’t possibly imagine.

Still, adventure isn’t all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Emily Rath’s PUCKING STRONG out in Four Weeks!

Posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2025

The UK edition of PUCKING STRONG, the fourth novel by Emily Rath in the acclaimed Jacksonville Rays series, is out in four weeks! The novel is due to be published by Penguin, on July 24th. Here’s the synopsis…

Teddy O’Connor has made a terrible mistake. He’s followed the man who holds his heart halfway around the world – Henrik Karlsson, the star forward of the NHL’s Jacksonville Rays.

As the team doctor, Teddy’s determined to keep things professional. Until that is, Henrik needs Teddy to marry him…

With the tragic passing of his sister back in Sweden, Henrik must take on guardianship of his young niece. But the Swedish Government won’t let him take over custody alone – enter Teddy.

With the new hockey season about to start, the Rays PR Director needs them to make this marriage look real. The team’s public image, their jobs, and Henrik’s custody agreement depend on it.

But the Rays don’t need to worry – the problem isn’t that Teddy has to fake his love, the problem is that it’s very real.

The first three novels in the series are out now: PUCKING AROUND, PUCKING WILD, and PUCKING SWEET.

Zeno represents Emily Rath in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

BEASTS OF THE BRIAR UK Paperbacks Out in Four Weeks

Posted on Thursday, June 19th, 2025

The new, paperback editions of Elizabeth Helen‘s Beasts of the Briar series are out in four weeks! BONDED BY THORNS, WOVEN BY GOLD, FORGED BY MALICE, and BROKEN BY DAYLIGHT are all due to be published by Magpie in the UK, on July 17th. Here’s the synopsis for the first novel…

🥀 Start the sizzling SUNDAY TIMES bestselling series, a scorching take on Beauty and the Beast 🥀

Four handsome fae princes.

One awkward bookworm.

An Enchanted Vale.

A beastly curse to break.

Rosalina O’Connell lives her life in Orca Cove as quietly as she can.

When her father turns up missing, Rosie goes after him and finds herself in the Enchanted Vale, the land of the fae. Where her father has been imprisoned and Rosie has no choice but to make a deal with four fae Princes to take his place.

As Rosie begins to learn more about the four Princes, she discovers that they have been cursed. The Princes must take on the form of demonic wolves every night and with every year that passes, more of their magic fades away.

If the Princes can each find their mate, they will break their curse and free their realm. Rosie is determined to help them…

The only problem is, the more time she spends with the Princes, the more she’s convinced that she’s the one they’re all meant to be with.

A spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling filled with enchanted fae, morally grey characters, a stupidly hot villain and a princess who has found her Prince Charming. All four of them.

Zeno represents Elizabeth Helen in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

M.A. Wardell’s TEACHER OF THE YEAR Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, June 5th, 2025

M. A. Wardell Week continues: the new UK paperback edition of TEACHER OF THE YEAR is out now! (North American edition was published on Tuesday.) It’s the first novel in the author’s acclaimed Teachers in Love series, and is published by Penguin in the UK. Here’s the synopsis…

Love: Not as easy as ABC.

They were supposed to keep things casual. Who’d expect they’d be schooled in love?

Those who can, teach. Marvin Block is one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. And despite his anxiety, Marvin’s life is sweet. He knows what he wants. And what he wants is the Teacher of the Year Award. Not just for himself – his school needs him to win.

Returning from break, the New Year finds Marvin all set to welcome a new pupil to his class. But when Illona walks in with her cute-as-hell single dad beside her, Marvin’s focus starts to slide.

Sure, his students always come first, but he deserves to have a life outside the classroom, too, right?

As their friendship starts to deepen, Marvin realizes Olan has the potential to teach him things about love he never thought possible. But with the Teacher of the Year award and his school’s future on the line, now’s not the time for anything complicated.

Education has always been Marvin’s world. And he needs to keep a cool head if he wants to win the award and save his school. But will it be worth it if he loses Olan in the process?

With Olan’s past and Marvin’s present colliding, their experiment in love hangs in the balance. Marvin knows what he wants out of life. But now he’s forced to consider what he wants out of love.

Will Marvin chalk the relationship up to experience? Or can they revise their story into a textbook romance?

Penguin are also due to re-issue Wardell’s MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS and NAPKINS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS in September and October, respectively. (The eBook and audiobook editions are available now — in the UK and North America.)

M.A. Wardell’s TEACHER OF THE YEAR Out Now in North America!

Posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

Today’s the day! M. A. Wardell‘s TEACHER OF THE YEAR is out now in a new North American paperback edition! The first novel in the author’s Teachers in Love series, it is published by Forever. Here’s the synopsis…

This steamy friends-to-lovers gay romance explores what happens when a kindergarten teacher falls for a student’s single father—while overcoming trauma and dealing with anxiety—perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Anita Kelly. 

Those who can, teach. Marvin Block is one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. And despite his anxiety, Marvin’s life is sweet. He knows what he wants. And what he wants is the Teacher of the Year Award. Not just for himself – his school needs him to win.​

Returning from break, the New Year finds Marvin all set to welcome a new pupil to his class. But when Illona walks in with her cute-as-hell single dad beside her, Marvin’s focus starts to slide. Sure, his students always come first, but he deserves to have a life outside the classroom, too, right?​

As their friendship starts to deepen, Marvin realizes Olan has the potential to teach him things about love he never thought possible. But with the Teacher of the Year award and his school’s future on the line, now’s not the time for anything complicated.​ Education has always been Marvin’s world. And he needs to keep a cool head if he wants to win the award and save his school. But will it be worth it if he loses Olan in the process?​

With Olan’s past and Marvin’s present colliding, their experiment in love hangs in the balance. Marvin knows what he wants out of life. But now he’s forced to consider what he wants out of love. Will Marvin chalk the relationship up to experience? Or can they revise their story into a textbook romance?

Now with bonuses including a new epilogue and artwork of the characters.

Forever are also due to re-issue Wardell’s MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS and NAPKINS AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS in September and October, respectively. (The eBook and audiobook editions are available now.)

Next Week: Elizabeth Helen Event in Sydney!

Posted on Friday, May 23rd, 2025

On Monday, June 2nd, authors Elizabeth Helen will be having an event at Romancing the Novel in Sydney!

The authors’ Beasts of the Briar series is published in the UK and Commonwealth by Magpie: BONDED BY THORNS, WOVEN BY GOLD, FORGED BY MALICE, and BROKEN BY DAYLIGHT are all out now.

Here’s the synopsis for the first novel in the series…

Four handsome fae princes.

One awkward bookworm.

An Enchanted Vale.

A beastly curse to break.

Rosalina O’Connell lives her life in Orca Cove as quietly as she can.

When her father turns up missing, Rosie goes after him and finds herself in the Enchanted Vale, the land of the fae. Where her father has been imprisoned and Rosie has no choice but to make a deal with four fae Princes to take his place.

As Rosie begins to learn more about the four Princes, she discovers that they have been cursed. The Princes must take on the form of demonic wolves every night and with every year that passes, more of their magic fades away.

If the Princes can each find their mate, they will break their curse and free their realm. Rosie is determined to help them…

The only problem is, the more time she spends with the Princes, the more she’s convinced that she’s the one they’re all meant to be with.

A spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling filled with enchanted fae, morally grey characters, a stupidly hot villain and a princess who has found her Prince Charming. All four of them.

Zeno represents Elizabeth Helen in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

M.A. Wardell’s TEACHER OF THE YEAR Out in Three Weeks!

Posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025

In three weeks, a new edition of TEACHER OF THE YEAR by M. A. Wardell will be published! To be published by Forever in North America and Penguin in the UK, here’s the synopsis…

This steamy friends-to-lovers gay romance explores what happens when a kindergarten teacher falls for a student’s single father — while overcoming trauma and dealing with anxiety — perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Anita Kelly. 

Those who can, teach. Marvin Block is one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. And despite his anxiety, Marvin’s life is sweet. He knows what he wants. And what he wants is the Teacher of the Year Award. Not just for himself – his school needs him to win.​

Returning from break, the New Year finds Marvin all set to welcome a new pupil to his class. But when Illona walks in with her cute-as-hell single dad beside her, Marvin’s focus starts to slide. Sure, his students always come first, but he deserves to have a life outside the classroom, too, right?​

As their friendship starts to deepen, Marvin realizes Olan has the potential to teach him things about love he never thought possible. But with the Teacher of the Year award and his school’s future on the line, now’s not the time for anything complicated.​ Education has always been Marvin’s world. And he needs to keep a cool head if he wants to win the award and save his school. But will it be worth it if he loses Olan in the process?​

With Olan’s past and Marvin’s present colliding, their experiment in love hangs in the balance. Marvin knows what he wants out of life. But now he’s forced to consider what he wants out of love. Will Marvin chalk the relationship up to experience? Or can they revise their story into a textbook romance?

Now with bonuses including a new epilogue and artwork of the characters.

Forever and Penguin will also be re-issuing MISTLETOE AND MISHIGAS and NAPKINS & OTHER DISTRACTIONS. Later this year, they will also publish a new novel in the series, HUSBAND OF THE YEAR.

ICYMI: Fairy Loot editions of Beasts of the Briar!

Posted on Monday, March 24th, 2025

In case you missed it, Fairy Loot recently unveiled their upcoming, special editions of Elizabeth Helen‘s Beasts of the Briar series! The first book was published by Fairy Loot a while ago, but now the other three novels in the series are getting the special edition treatment: WOVEN BY GOLD, FORGED BY MALICE, and BROKEN BY DAYLIGHT!

Here are pictures of the reversible dust-jacket, and the artwork on the hardcovers themselves…

The Beasts of the Briar series is published in regular hardcover and eBook in the UK by Magpie. (Paperback editions out later this year.)

Zeno represents Elizabeth Helen in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Coming Soon: PUCKING STRONG by Emily Rath!

Posted on Friday, February 21st, 2025

In case you missed it, yesterday Penguin unveiled the UK edition of PUCKING STRONG, the fourth novel by Emily Rath in the Jacksonville Rays series! The novel is due to be published on July 24th. Here’s the synopsis…

Teddy O’Connor has made a terrible mistake. He’s followed the man who holds his heart halfway around the world – Henrik Karlsson, the star forward of the NHL’s Jacksonville Rays.

As the team doctor, Teddy’s determined to keep things professional. Until that is, Henrik needs Teddy to marry him…

With the tragic passing of his sister back in Sweden, Henrik must take on guardianship of his young niece. But the Swedish Government won’t let him take over custody alone – enter Teddy.

With the new hockey season about to start, the Rays PR Director needs them to make this marriage look real. The team’s public image, their jobs, and Henrik’s custody agreement depend on it.

But the Rays don’t need to worry – the problem isn’t that Teddy has to fake his love, the problem is that it’s very real.

The first three novels in the series are out now: PUCKING AROUND, PUCKING WILD, and PUCKING SWEET.