April 2023: Romance

April's Year In Reading Challenge is Romance!  Check out these swoon worthy reads!

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Snowbound Amish survival

Author(s):

Alford, Mary

Description:

When armed men burst into her patient's house looking for her, Amish midwife Hope Christner barely escapes wit her pregnant friend. Now running through a snowy forest with enemies in pursuit and a blizzard raging, Hope has no choice but to turn to the closest neighbor, her ex-fianc?e, Hunter Shetler.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Alf

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Electric idol

Author(s):

Robert, Katee

Description:

Psyche Dimitriou knew she'd have to face Aphrodite's jealous rage eventually, but she never expected her literal heart to be at stake...or for Aphrodite's gorgeous son to be the one ordered to strike the killing blow. Eros has no problem shedding blood. Raised to be his mother's knife in the dark, he's been conditioned to accept that he's more monster than man. But when it comes time to take out his latest target...he can't do it. Confused by his reaction to Psyche's unexpected kindness, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he binds her to him, body and soul. Psyche didn't expect to find herself married to the glittering city's most dangerous killer, but something about Eros wakens a fire inside her she's never felt before. As lines blur and loyalties shift, Psyche realizes Eros might take her heart after all...and she's not sure she can survive the loss.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Rob

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Bittersweet

Author(s):

Bowen, Sarina

Description:

"The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago they'd shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago. At twenty-seven, Griff is now the accidental patriach of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings, and a dotty grandfather. He doesn't have time for the sorority girl who's shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price. Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder's travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay--a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way. They're adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey's top secret enchilada sauce, and then some."--back cover.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Bow

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Running wild : a novel

Author(s):

Tucker, K. A. (Kathleen A.), 1978-

Description:

"Veterinarian Marie Lehr knows unrequited love all too well after pining for her best friend, only to watch him marry another woman. It's a mistake she will never make again, especially not when she can practically hear the clock ticking on her childbearing years. The trouble is, she can't seem to find anyone who appeals to her even a fraction as much as that burly bush pilot did. Competitive musher Tyler Brady certainly doesn't, especially not after the heated altercation with the handsome but arrogant, spiteful man. Or so she thinks. While volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Marie discovers that first impressions may have been false, and her attraction to Tyler is very real. But his heart belongs to someone else, leaving him with nothing to offer but friendship. Marie's been down this road before and knows how that ends. Yet, no matter how hard she works to keep from falling for Tyler, it seems she's doomed to follow her own trail once again" --From back cover.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Tuc

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The roughest draft

Author(s):

Wibberley, Emily
Siegemund-Broka, Austin,

Description:

"Three years ago, Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were the brightest literary stars on the horizon, their cowritten books topping bestseller lists. But on the heels of their greatest success, they ended their partnership on bad terms, for reasons neither would divulge to the public. They haven't spoken since, and never planned to, except they have one final book due on contract. Facing crossroads in their personal and professional lives, they're forced to reunite. The last thing they ever thought they'd do again is hole up in the tiny Florida town where they wrote their previous book, trying to finish a new manuscript quickly and painlessly. Working through the reasons they've hated each other for the past three years isn't easy, especially not while writing a romantic novel. While passion and prose push them closer in the Florida heat, Katrina and Nathan will learn that relationships, like writing, sometimes take a few rough drafts before they get it right"--

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Wib

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Victoria and the Rogue

Author(s):

Cabot, Meg

Description:

Victoria

Growing up in far-off India, wealthy young heiress Lady Victoria Arbuthnot was accustomed to handling her own affairs -- not to mention everyone else's. But in her sixteenth year, Vicky is unceremoniously shipped off to London to find a husband. With her usual aplomb, however, Lady Victoria gets herself engaged to the perfect English gentleman, even before setting foot on British soil.

The Rogue

Hugo Rothschild, ninth earl of Malfrey, is everything a girl could want in a future husband: he is handsome and worldly, if not rich. Lady Victoria has everything just as she'd like it. That is, if raffish young ship captain Jacob Carstairs would leave well enough alone.

Jacob's meddling is nothing short of exasperating, and Victoria is mystified by his persistence. But when it becomes clear that young Lord Malfrey just might not be all that he's professed to be, Victoria is forced to admit, for the first time in her life, that she is wrong. Not only about her fiance, but about the reason behind the handsome ship captain's interference.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

YA FIC Cab

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Satisfaction Guaranteed

Author(s):

Karelia Stetz-Waters

Description:

"Cade Elgin has a life and career in New York City, and she's determined to get back to both as soon as possible after her aunt's funeral in Portland. However, when she unexpectedly inherits her aunt's sex toy store -- and has to save it from foreclosure -- Cade realizes she's not going anywhere. But making Satisfaction Guaranteed profitable won't be as easy as Cade had hoped. Her new partner has an infuriating lack of business sense, and an infuriating ability to turn Cade on. Selena Mathis knows that nothing is more important than saving Satisfaction Guaranteed. Not her pride, not her inconvenient attraction toward her new business partner. Cade may be more buttoned-up than Selena usually goes for, but that doesn't mean she doesn't know how to turn the store around. But the more they work together, the harder it becomes for Selena to ignore her growing feelings for Cade. And she starts to wonder if there is something more important than saving Satisfaction Guaranteed"-- Provided by publisher.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Ste

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Twice Shy

Author(s):

Sarah Hogle

Description:

"Maybell Parrish lives with her head in the clouds, which is the sensible choice because her fantasy life is wonderful. She runs a cosy coffee shop, surrounded by friends and the man of her dreams. Her real life, meanwhile, is full of painful disappointments. So, when Maybell inherits a stately old manor from her Great Aunt Violet, it's her chance to change everything. Yet when she arrives, the house is falling apart around her, and Violet has left a list of demands as eccentric as she was. Worst of all, Maybell isn't the only inheritor: she has to share everything with Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper who's as grouchy as he is gorgeous - and who has plans of his own for their shared manor. At first, Wesley seems determined to avoid speaking to Maybell completely, but soon she begins to suspect that Wesley's scowls hide a shy, kind nature that has also found the real world a difficult place - in fact, could it be that Wesley and Maybell are better matched than even Maybell could ever have dreamed?"--Publisher.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Hog

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Top secret

Author(s):

Bowen, Sarina
Kennedy, Elle,

Description:

Keaton and his girlfriend have been together for six years. So when Annika asks if they can mix up their intimate life, Keaton is surprised, but he agrees and starts searching for potential prospects on a dating app.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Bow

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The secret lives of country gentlemen

Author(s):

Charles, KJ

Description:

"Abandoned by his father, Gareth Inglis grew up lonely, prickly, and well-used to disappointment. Still, he longs for a connection. When he meets a charming man in a London molly house, he falls head over heels--until everything goes wrong and he's left alone again. Then Gareth's father dies, turning the shabby London clerk into Sir Gareth, with a grand house on the remote Romney Marsh and a family he doesn't know. The Marsh is another world, a strange, empty place notorious for its ruthless gangs of smugglers. And one of them is dangerously familiar... Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. When the new baronet--his old lover--agrees to testify against Joss's sister, Joss acts fast to stop him. Their reunion is anything but happy, yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. Soon, all Joss and Gareth want is the chance to be together. But the bleak, bare Marsh holds deadly secrets. And when Gareth finds himself threatened from every side, the gentleman and the smuggler must trust one another not just with their hearts, but with their lives" --

Format:

Call Number:

FIC Cha

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Always the almost : a novel

Author(s):

Underhill, Edward

Description:

Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson has two New Year’s resolutions: 1) win back his ex-boyfriend (and star of the football team) Shane McIntyre, and 2) finally beat his slimy arch-nemesis at the Midwest’s biggest classical piano competition. But that’s not going to be so easy. For one thing, Shane broke up with Miles two weeks after Miles came out as trans, and now Shane’s stubbornly ignoring him, even when they literally bump into each other. Plus, Miles’ new, slightly terrifying piano teacher keeps telling him that he’s playing like he “doesn’t know who he is”--whatever that means. Then Miles meets the new boy in town, Eric Mendez, a proudly queer cartoonist from Seattle who asks his pronouns, cares about art as much as he does--and makes his stomach flutter. Not what he needs to be focusing on right now. But after Eric and Miles pretend to date so they can score an invite to a couples-only Valentine’s party, the ruse turns real with a kiss, which is also definitely not in the plan. If only Miles could figure out why Eric likes him so much. After all, it's not like he’s cool or confident or comfortable in his own skin. He’s not even good enough at piano to get his fellow competitors to respect him, especially now, as Miles. Nothing’s ever been as easy for him as for other people--other boys. He’s only ever been almost enough. So why, when he’s with Eric, does it feel like the only person he’s ever really not been enough for...is himself?

Format:

Book

Call Number:

YA FIC Und

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The other Miss Bridgerton : a Bridgertons prequel

Author(s):

Quinn, Julia, 1970-
Landor, Rosalyn,

Description:

Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, Captain Andrew James Rokesby is stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. But his duty to the Crown means he's stuck with her.

Format:

Audiobook

Call Number:

FIC Qui

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Nobody's princess

Author(s):

Ridley, Erica

Description:

"Nothing happens in London without Graham Wynchester knowing. His massive collection of intelligence is invaluable to his family's mission of aiding those most in need. So when he deciphers a series of coded messages in the scandal sheets, Graham's convinced he must come to a royal's rescue. But his quarry turns out not to be a princess at all. The captivating Kunigunde de Heusch is anything but a damsel in distress, and the last thing she wants is Graham's help. All her life, Kuni trained alongside the fiercest Royal Guardsmen in her family, secretly planning to become her country's first Royal Guardswoman. This mission in London is a chance to prove herself worthy without help from a man, not even one as devilishly handsome as Graham. To her surprise, Graham believes in her dream as much as she does, which makes it harder to resist kissing him...and falling in love. But how can she risk her heart if her future lies an ocean away?" --provided by publisher.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Rid

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The darkness outside us

Author(s):

Schrefer, Eliot, 1978-

Description:

Earth's population is divided between only two existing countries which cannot manage to cooperate in any way, until a distress signal arrives from Titan's first settler and neither can afford to rescue her on their own if they act separately. Ambrose wakes up on board with successfully reaching his sister the primary thought in his mind until he notices several strange circumstances: he doesn't remember the launch, the ship's OS is voiced by his mother, strangers have been aboard, and the only other person on this mission has barricaded himself away from sight. It's quite possible he won't be able to puzzle out these occurances on his own, but even in learning to work together, it's just as possible that Kodiak and Ambrose are up against bigger forces than they could have even imagined.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

YA FIC Sch

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Opposite of always

Author(s):

Reynolds, Justin A.

Description:

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he's falling--hard. Soon she's meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. But then Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate's death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate's there again. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn't sure if he's losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate's death, he'll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he's willing to do to save the people he loves.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

YA FIC Rey

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Anonymous sex

Author(s):

Tan, Cheryl Lu-lien,

Description:

"27 Authors. 27 Stories. No Names Attached. A bold collection of stories about sex that leaves you guessing who wrote what. Bestselling novelists Hillary Jordan and Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan present an elegant, international anthology of erotica that explores the diverse spectrum of desire, written by winners of the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, PEN Awards, the Women's Prize for Fiction, Edgar Award, and more. There are stories of sexual obsession and sexual love, of domination and submission. There's revenge sex, unrequited sex, funny sex, tortured sex, fairy tale sex, and even sex in the afterlife. While the authors are listed in alphabetical order at the beginning of the book, none of the stories are attributed, providing readers with a glimpse into an uninhibited landscape of sexuality as explored by twenty-seven of today's finest authors. Featuring Robert Olen Butler, Catherine Chung, Trent Dalton, Heidi W. Durrow, Tony Eprile, Louise Erdrich, Jamie Ford, Julia Glass, Peter Godwin, Hillary Jordan, Rebecca Makkai, Valerie Martin, Dina Nayeri, Chigozie Obioma, T?ea Obreht, Helen Oyeyemi, Mary-Louise Parker, Victoria Redel, Jason Reynolds, S.J. Rozan, Meredith Talusan, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Jeet Thayil, Paul Theroux, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Edmund White"--

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Ano

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Twisted love

Author(s):

Huang, Ana

Description:

He has a heart of ice ... but for her, he'd burn the world. Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape. Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart. But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Hua

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Reborn

Author(s):

Wild, Meredith

Description:

Some people measure life in hours. Days. Weeks. He measures his in kills. A covert military mission gone wrong robbed him of his memory and any link to his past. He executes and survives: nothing more, nothing less. And he was ready to write Isabel Foster's name in his ledger of unfortunate souls until she uttered the one word that could stop the bullet meant for her. Tristan. She knows his name, his face. She knows him. Now nothing is simple. He's not the man she thinks he is. He can't love her. And sparing her life puts them both in the crosshairs.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Wil

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The Passing Playbook

Author(s):

Isaac Fitzsimons

Description:

"Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother, and a David Beckham in training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio. At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boy's soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans--he's passing. So when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him after he discovers the "F" on Spencer's birth certificate, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even though it would mean coming out to everyone-- including the guy he's falling for."-- Provided by publisher.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

YA FIC Fit

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How to find a princess

Author(s):

Cole, Alyssa

Description:

"Makeda Hicks has lost her job and her girlfriend in one fell swoop. The last thing she's in the mood for is to rehash the story of her grandmother's infamous summer fling with a runaway prince from Ibarania, or the investigator from the World Federation of Monarchies tasked with searching for Ibarania's missing heir. Yet when Beznaria Chetchevaliere crashes into her life, the sleek and sexy investigator exudes exactly the kind of chaos that organized and efficient Makeda finds irresistible, even if Bez is determined to drag her into a world of royal duty Makeda wants nothing to do with. When a threat to her grandmother's livelihood pushes Makeda to agree to return to Ibarania, Bez takes her on a transatlantic adventure with a crew of lovable weirdos, a fake marriage, and one-bed hijinks on the high seas. When they finally make it to Ibarania, they realize there's more at stake than just cash and crown, and Makeda must learn what it means to fight for what she desires and not what she feels bound to by duty." -- Amazon.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Col

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Felix ever after

Author(s):

Callender, Kacen

Description:

Felix Love has never been in love, painful irony that it is. He desperately wants to know why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. He is proud of his identity, but fears that he's one marginalization too many-- Black, queer, and transgender. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages-- after publicly posting Felix's deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned-- Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. He didn't count on his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi-love triangle. -- adapted from jacket

Format:

Book

Call Number:

YA FIC Cal

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A lady for a duke

Author(s):

Hall, Alexis J.

Description:

"When Viola Caroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become. As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again"--

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Hal

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Journey

Author(s):

Brunstetter, Wanda E.

Description:

Titus Fisher, an Amish carpenter, journeys into a Kentucky Amish community where he seeks a new beginning and meets the beautiful and unique Suzanne Yoder. She can't cook but can do woodworking, and she painfully resembles Phoebe, Titus's ex-girlfriend.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Bru

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The adoption surprise

Author(s):

Jackson, Zoey Marie

Description:

When Kelsey Harris' orphaned niece Morgan has an instant connection with her long-lost twin Mia, Kelsey and Mia's adoptive father, widower Zach Johnson, agree to be friends for the sake of the girls, but their friendship soon turns into something more.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Jac

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Her small-town refuge

Author(s):

Slattery, Jennifer, 1974-

Description:

"Escaping to the Texas Hill Country with her daughter for a vet tech internship is Stephanie Thornton's chance at a safer life. But when medicine goes missing from Caden Stoughton's struggling vet clinic, all evidence points to Stephanie. With the new life she's been searching for hanging in the balance, Stephanie must convince Caden to trust her with his business...and his heart."--Provided by publisher.

Format:

Book

Call Number:

FIC Sla