We definitely enjoy our fair share of vampires and fantasy worlds here at BookTrib, and we’re pretty much willing to read any historical romance with a Fabio-style hottie baring his six-pack on the cover. But every once in a while it’s nice to dive into a straightforward contemporary romance novel. The setting is familiar, the characters are relatable, and there are no corsets in sight. Whether these novels feature motorcycle gangs, hot cowboys or businessmen who like to dominate in the bedroom, we’re hooked on modern romances.
Here are 15 new contemporary romances that we can’t stop obsessing over this month:
With Every Breath: A Slow Burn Novel, Maya Banks (Avon, August 23, 2016)
Thanks to her unorthodox alpha heroes, we’re hooked on Banks’ sexy Slow Burn series. This is the latest, telling the story of Wade and Eliza, the girl he’d do anything to protect.
Dirty Little Lies: A Men of Summer Novel, Lora Leigh (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, August 30, 2016)
This is the third book in Leigh’s scorching Summer series. The innocent Grace Maddox is being targeted for her family’s crimes, and it’s up to badass alpha Zack Richards to keep her safe.
Last Chance Rebel: A Copper Ridge Novel, Maisey Yates (HQN Books, August 30, 2016)
After breaking her heart years ago, Rebecca Bear isn’t ready to trust cowboy Gage West. But when he shows up in town looking for forgiveness, she’s forced to confront her past and the feelings that never quite went away.
Curious Minds: A Knight and Moon Novel, Janet Evanovich & Phoef Sutton (Bantam, August 16, 2016)
Evanovich (of Stephanie Plum fame) and Emmy-winning author Sutton have teamed up for this fun, exciting series about a charming eccentric, Emerson Knight, and his unlikely crime-solving partner, Texas-spitfire Riley Moon.
Ruthless: A Lawless Novel, Lexi Blake (Berkley, August 9, 2016)
Blake’s newest series introduces us to the Lawless siblings, each one obsessed with finding out who killed their parents years ago. When he gets a lead on the buried murders, attorney Riley Lawless has to choose between vengeance and Ellie Stratton, the woman he’s fallen desperately in love with, and the heir to the company he thinks is responsible for his parents’ deaths.
Furious Rush, S.C. Stephens (Forever, August 23, 2016)
Stephens captured our hearts with her intense Thoughtless series, which is why we’re so excited about her latest novel set in the world of professional motorcycle racing. Mackenzie Cox finds an immediate rival (and a powerful attraction) in fellow racer Hayden Hayes. Now they just need to keep their hands off each other long enough to win in their competitive field.
Close to You: A Fusion Novel, Kristen Proby (William Morrow Paperbacks, August 9, 2016)
Proby’s Fusion series, about a group of female friends who run a successful restaurant, is sexy, fun and difficult to put down. In her latest, we hear Cami’s story about Landon, the boy who got away, and what happens when he finally returns.
Rushing Waters, Danielle Steel (Delacorte Press, August 30, 2016)
The queen of romance is back with a novel about a devastating hurricane that hits New York City and the residents who have to make it through the tragedy –- and rebuild their lives after the water is gone.
French Kiss: A Silver Cove Novel, Jill Sanders (Grayton Press, August 9, 2016)
Adam, the head chef at the East Haven resort, is arrogant, cocky and very French. So why can’t Lilith, who’s running the resort while her friend is on her honeymoon, get him out of her head?
Every Beat of My Heart: A Sullivans Novella, Bella Andre (Oak Press, August 5, 2016)
This short novella is perfect for fans of Andre’s addictive Sullivans series. We finally get to see the double wedding of Zach and Heather, and Ryan and Vicki, and the day is just as romantic and heartfelt as we could have hoped.
Always a Cowboy: The Carsons of Mustang Creek, Linda Lael Miller (HQN Books, August 30, 2016)
Miller writes some of the best cowboy books around, which is why we can’t wait to get our hands on her latest, about cowboy Drake Carson and Luce Hale, the horse expert who challenges him in all the right ways.
Fire Brand, Diana Palmer (HQN Books, August 30, 2016)
When Bowie McCayde’s family takes in Gaby Cane at the age of 15 she has to fight hard to keep her attraction to him at bay. Ten years later, the two find themselves back in each other’s lives, and finally in each other’s hearts.
For Better of Worse: A Wedding Belles Novel, Lauren Layne (Pocket Books, August 30, 2016)
Heather Fowler is a new wedding planner who’s determined to prove herself. She needs all the sleep she can get, which isn’t easy with playboy Josh Tanner has her neighbor. The two delightfully butt heads as their attraction grows and they each have to learn what it truly means to take a risk.
Texas Tall: A Tylers of Texas Novel, Janet Dailey (Kensington, August 30, 2016)
Will and Tori Tyler were married before he eventually drove her away. But neither have completely fallen out of love, and when Will faces a huge threat to his future, the two have to come together to make things right.
Reaper’s Fire: Reapers Motorcycle Club, Joanna Wylde (Berkley, August 9, 2016)
Gage is a badass alpha biker who knows what he wants: sweet and loyal Tinker Garrett. But before they can be together he has to complete a mission for his club, and it’s one that could threaten to tear them apart forever.
