Winter is here and we’ve got the perfect excuse to stay curled up in a warm bed all day… books!
Here are all the romantic reads for your June TBR, so you never have to get out of bed!
The Ship’s Midwife by Peta Miller
Lives are about to be irrevocably changed following a typhus outbreak on a cramped emigrant ship bound for Australia.
1850 Sarah Hallow is orphaned, penniless and alone, with only the skills learned from her midwife mother to guide her. Passage on a ship bound for the new settlement of Brisbane, Australia, is her last option. Though her skills are quickly dismissed by the ship’s doctor, Sarah is pleased to find instant friendship with her cabin mate, Bridie, a fiery Irish girl with a sharp tongue and midwifery skills of her own.
When the two women come to the aid of a labouring woman onboard, Sarah’s dreams of opening her own midwifery practice in Brisbane don’t seem so impossible. Certainly not as impossible as her daydreams about the ship doctor’s son, who only seems to have eyes for her friend.
But something else is lurking on the ship: a disease that has the power to take down even the strongest man and is about to rip through the ship like wildfire, leaving only devastation in its path. As caring for patients stretch Sarah and Bridie to their absolute limit, thoughts of the future are rapidly eclipsed by their determination to survive. If only they can make it to Australia with their lives and loves intact …
Inspired by true events, this is a meticulously researched, eye-opening, heart-breaking, soul-warming story of survival, love and grit for readers of Darry Fraser, Alison Stuart and Tea Cooper.
One More Time by Mandy Magro
Fate, hope and desire collide for one special couple in a way they never would have expected. An epic love story, in the tradition of Nicholas Sparks, from bestselling Australian author Mandy Magro.
One split-second choice. A spark of magic. What if your life could be completely different?
Grace Burrows knows her seventieth birthday celebration is going to be an enchanting affair. And she can’t wait to immerse herself in an evening surrounded by family and her closest friends, to waltz across the dance floor as she used to and reminisce over shared memories gathered across the decades. But it’s also the evening she’ll have to finally reveal a secret that she knows will devastate her family – her time left with them is too short to be fair…
Scarred by his war-time experiences and losses, Charlie Wilson knows he’s made a lot of mistakes. Too many. But none greater than ruining his marriage to Grace when they were young. Tonight, as they dance, Charlie is determined to tell her he’s always loved her. But when old feelings and resentments are drawn to the surface, tempers fray and Charlie and Grace are left on opposite sides of the same old argument.
Fate, however, will give them one last chance to be truthful – and as a touch of magic sparks, everything changes…
Desiring Her Desert Prince by Alyssa J. Montgomery
Dr Lauren Stephens is volunteering in Karesh when she uncovers a crime and is forced to flee for her life. When a huge sandstorm leaves her stranded in the middle of the desert, a handsome stranger comes to her rescue, taking her to his luxurious camp. As they shelter there, the attraction between career-focused Lauren and the man she assumes is a simple Bedouin herder becomes undeniable.
Crown Prince Sharif has come to this remote camp to escape from the pressure to find a suitable wife before his 30th birthday – a prerequisite for inheriting the throne. He rescues Lauren out of traditional Kareshian hospitality, but is soon captivated by her beauty and intelligence – and the fact that she is falling for him rather than his title.
As they give in to their passion, they know that their affair will be brief. But when a threat against his father’s rule reunites them, will they find a way to make a future together?
The Viscount Who Vexed Me by Julia London
Daring. Darling. Determined.
Next to the season’s newest diamond, Harriet (Hattie) Woodchurch feels like a plain Jane. But that’s of no consequence since Hattie’s plan for her future is to earn enough to live far, far away from her embarrassing family.
That is until Mateo Vincente, Duke of Santiava, and newly minted Viscount Abbot arrives in London. While the shy European’s spoken English is impeccable, his writing is less fluent. The ton is eager to meet the handsome bachelor, and so many invitations flood in that Mateo needs a correspondence secretary.
With her perfect penmanship and way with words, Hattie is recommended, and the two bond over books and the ton’s eligible ladies. But when Hattie’s friend Flora becomes smitten with the viscount, things get complicated. Flora is tongue-tied in his presence. To help, Hattie feeds her information about Mateo’s interests. Soon things turn around and Flora appears on track to become his duchess. Yet for Mateo, something’s not quite right. Conversation with Flora isn’t as scintillating as it is with Hattie…
The Comeback Cowboy by Maisey Yates, Caitlin Crews, Jackie Ashenden and Nicole Helm
They may not have been friends when they were younger but now, they’ll work together to save the camp that saved them and, maybe, even find love in the process…
The alumni of Camp Phoenix, a summer program for at-risk youth, went their separate ways, but now they’ve been called back to help the camp reopen for a new crop of kids. Now successful adults, the four women pledge to restore the grounds to their former glory, if long-standing rivalries and old flames don’t get in the way first…
Bree White fought hard to get away from her criminal family and all of the reminders of her past until Sheriff Flint Decker brings all those feelings back and more. Attorney Violet Cook owes her life to Camp Phoenix and is determined to save the camp…but who’s going to save her from the temptation of long-time crush US Marshal Lincoln Traeger? Kinley Parker never left Camp Phoenix, dedicating her life to it, and has no time for pushy cowboys like Jackson Hart until butting heads leads to sparks. The daughter of the camp’s founder, Clementine McClain has always wanted to follow in her law-abiding father’s footsteps, but her father’s protégé and former bad boy Duke Cody has her breaking all the rules.
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with the hilarious follow-up to Secretly Yours, in which a down-on-her-luck Napa heiress suggests a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience to a man she can’t stand… only to discover there’s a fine line between love and hate.
After losing her job and her fiancé in one fell swoop, Natalie Vos returned home to lick her wounds. A few months later, she’s sufficiently drowned her sorrows in cabernet and she’s ready to get back on her feet. She just needs her trust fund to finance her new business venture. Unfortunately, the terms require she marry before she can have the money. And well, dumped, remember But Natalie is desperate enough to propose to a man who makes her want to kill him—and kiss him, in equal measure.
August Cates may own a vineyard, but he doesn’t know jack about making wine. He’s determined to do his late best friend proud, no matter what it takes. Except his tasting room is empty, his wine is disgusting (seriously, he once saw someone gag), and his buddy’s legacy is circling the drain. No bank will give him the loan he needs to turn the business around… and then the gorgeous, feisty heiress knocks on his door. Natalie has haunted his dreams since the moment they met, but their sizzling chemistry immediately morphed into simmering insults.
Now, a quickie marriage could help them both. A sham wedding, a few weeks living under the same roof, and then they can go their separate ways—assuming they make it out alive. How hard could it be There’s just one thing they didn’t account for: their unfortunate, unbearable, undeniable attraction.
Lady Amelia’s Scandalous Secret by Eva Shepherd
Sparks fly in this Victorian enemies-to-lovers romance
Her rival in business…her suitor in Society!
When debutante Lady Amelia Lambourne is presented to self-made entrepreneur Leo Devenish at a Society dinner, he has no idea she has a scandalous secret: that she runs a magazine for women! He maybe charismatic and handsome, but she knows he’s keen to take over her magazine. So she permits him to court her, but only to keep her enemy as close as possible…
Fling With The Doc Next Door by Alison Roberts
Will the infuriatingly handsome doc next door be the one to convince her to stay? Find out in the latest medical romance by Alison Roberts.
The only doc…to make her stay?
After a dramatic first shift, Dr Ella is also locked out of her temporary residence. The only person to help? New neighbour and infuriating boss Dr Logan! But as they work together, she sees the softness behind his sharp edges and it’s impossible to ignore their simmering electricity after hours. Ella’s only passing through, and widower Logan has long barricaded his heart…could a fling be what they both need?
In At The Deep End by Penelope Janu
Opposites attract in this charming, funny Australian-set coastal romance about losing your cool and finding your place in life.
What woman doesn’t love a real-life hero? Harriet Scott, for one. The fiercely independent daughter of famous adventurers, she grew up travelling the world on the environmental flagship The Watch. So when Harriet’s ship sinks in Antarctica and she has to be rescued by Commander Per Amundsen, an infuriatingly capable Norwegian naval officer and living breathing action hero, her world is turned upside down.
Like their namesakes, the original Scott and Amundsen who competed to reach the South Pole first, Per and Harriet have different ways of doing things. Per thinks Harriet is an accident waiting to happen; Harriet thinks Per is a control freak. But when Harriet realises that Per is the only one who can help her fund the new ship she desperately wants, she is forced to cooperate with him.
Per refuses to assist unless Harriet allows him to teach her to swim. But there is more to Harriet’s terrible fear of water than meets the eye. Can Harriet face her fears and come to terms with the trauma and loss of her past? And will she begin to appreciate that some risks are well worth taking-and that polar opposites can, in fact, attract?
The Benevolent Society Of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an ‘old maid’ to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.
Welcome to the secret life of the Colebrook twins: unnoticed old maids to most, but unseen champions to those in need – society be damned.
Lady Augusta Colebrook, ‘Gus’, is determinedly unmarried, bored by society life, and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister, Julia, who is grieving her dead betrothed, need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their friend’s goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband.
The sisters set out to Caroline’s country estate with a plan, but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle, Gus accidentally shoots the ruffian, only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford, an acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago. With Lord Evan injured and unconscious, the sisters have no choice but to bring him on their mission to save Caroline. What follows is a high adventure full of danger, clever improvisation, heart-racing near misses, and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan.
And so begin the beguiling adventures of the Colebrook twins …
Cinderella and the Outback Billionaire by Kelly Hunter
She saved his life, then disappeared…so, now, he’ll track down his Cinderella saviour in this captivating romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Kelly Hunter!
A connection so strong…it’s impossible to hide from!
When his helicopter crashes in the Outback, a captivating stranger keeps Reid Blake alive. Under the cover of darkness, a desperate intimacy is kindled…so when Reid is rescued and she disappears, he won’t rest until he finds her!
Ari Cohen hasn’t forgotten Reid, but she’s learnt the hard way that happy endings don’t exist. Helping at his family’s annual ball, she doesn’t expect the shocking thrill of his recognition…or the sensational kiss they share. But can this guarded Cinderella have faith he’ll still want her once the clock strikes midnight?
Desert King’s Forbidden Temptation by Clare Connelly
Craving the wrong woman…could lose him his crown!
To secure his throne, Sheikh Tariq is marrying a princess. It’s all very simple until his intended bride’s friend and advisor, Eloise Ashworth, is sent to negotiate the union. And Tariq suddenly finds his unwavering devotion to duty tested…
Eloise’s attraction to the desert king is swift and intoxicating. But the accompanying guilt is quickly overwhelming. Eloise cannot betray the royal family who gave her a home by pursuing Tariq. Succumbing to the wildfire between them could cost them both everything. And yet, it refuses to be extinguished…
Body Check by Elle Kennedy
Hard body? Check. Awesome–night–in–the–sack potential? Check! Hayden Houston is breaking out of her good–girl mode. It’s time for a one–night stand––and she’s found just the man for the job! She spent her childhood being dragged from rink to rink by her hockey–coach father. Now Hayden craves stability. And she’s determined to get it–after this one night….
When hockey star Brody Croft sees the sexy brunette at the bar, he’s riveted. He’s ready to shed his bad–boy ways and settle down. And after a mind–blowing night in bed with Hayden, he knows she’s the one.
Now all he has to do is convince her…
Happy reading!