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5 Wholesome Romances That Solve Your Reading Slump
Plus 20+ free books, 18 ebook deals, freelance opportunities, the Romance Rate Database
Kaitlyn Arford
April 08, 2025
Hello and Happy Tuesday! I’m launching a new initiative: the Romance Rate Database. I’m gathering data on what freelancers are paid in the romance industry so we all have a better idea of what to charge. All submissions are anonymous. If you’ve worked as an editor, sensitivity reader, designer, or any other role, please take five minutes to share your rates. — Kaitlyn
Guest Curator: Rachel Shubin (she/her)
Why did you choose this theme?
My friends trust me with my reading recommendations and it’s important to me to pick books that I have loved and continued to think about long after I’ve read the last page. Sometimes, people need a compelling story to get them out of a reading slump or back into reading. These are the stories that I believe will make reading fun again!
💃 Wholesome and Thoughtful Romances to Get You Out of a Reading Slump
 | Love in the Time of Serial KillersImagine being so obsessed with serial killers that you think your next door neighbor might just be one. Thompson’s debut is a heartfelt romance that follows Phoebe working on her PHD, while cleaning out the house of her late father, & trying to understand becoming closer with her brother, and intrigued by the mysterious man next door. |
 | The Ex TalkIf you love public radio, podcasts and fake exes, this book is the one for you! The banter and stream between Shay and Dominic is Solomon at her best. |
 | Amy and Roger’s Epic DetourI’ve gifted and recommended this book more than I’ve read it (I’m at least at a minimum of six re-readings) because it is a very touching story. Follow Amy and Roger as they drive across the United States, discover themselves, and learn to deal with grief and teenage angst. Bonus points for the awesome playlists and illustrations throughout the book. |
 | Mrs. Nash’s AshesWho doesn’t want to read a story about an unexpected road trip between two acquaintances, three tbsp of ashes to be spread, a broccoli festival, and the “uh oh, I’m falling in love” vibe? This romance novel features a dual timeline of relationships, LGBTQIA+ representation, and pigeons. It’s a quirky & lovable novel that touches on poignant themes including grief. |
 | Lease on LoveA mix up between a dating app & roommate app brings Sadie & Jack together, and it’s the start of a New York City adventure. Sadie is looking to make a big life change in her career & Jack is mourning the loss of his family, hiding out in his home. This fast paced novel includes the forced proximity trope as well as found family, and a realistic portrayal of grief. |
💾 Romancelandia Jobs
Headline Publishing Group (UK/Ireland) needs an urban romantasy author to write a novel based on their IP Spotify Audio Publishing is looking for short-form romance submissions of 10-20k words The Indie Author Project Annual Contest is open to submissions now | Reese Sherron needs a romantasy editor Lizzy M. Diamond needs a personal assistant Breanne Randall needs two art pieces for her witchy romantasy Vyk Peters needs character art (ideally from an Australian artist) |
🎉 Romance Releases
Contemporary | ||
|---|---|---|
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez | Stolen Kisses by Layla Hagen | Wild Scottish Gold by Tricia O’Malley |
The Accidental Marriage by Nadia Lee | Swept Away by Beth O’Leary | In Good Company by Kat Singleton |
A Cowboy’s Trust by Vivian Arend | No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel | The Saint by Penelope Sky |
Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler | For Pleasure or Worse by Karissa Kinword | Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine |
Fantasy | ||
|---|---|---|
The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman | Bound in Blood by Sadie Kincaid | Fearless by Lauren Roberts |
The Twisted Throne by Danielle L. Jensen | Hunger In His Blood by Zoey Draven | Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert |
Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth | Strange Familiar by Jeffe Kennedy | The Arcane Taste of the Witchwood Boys by C.M. Stunich |
Historical | ||
|---|---|---|
Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond | Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey | An Outlaw Bride by Cat Cahill |
A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch | An Accommodating Husband by Fenella J Miller | Between a Duke and a Hard Place by Chasity Bowlin |
Forever and a Duke by Christy Carlyle | The Good Duke by Christi Caldwell | Lady Knight by Amalie Howard |
💌 Romancelandia News
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson’s fantasy duology sold to Bloomsbury in a nine-way auction. The Gutterwith duology follows a servant whose powers surpass anything she could have imagined during a war among witches.
Alex Aster is stepping into contemporary romance with her new book Summer in the City.
Lucy Mangan writes on how reading romance helped her through grief
Omaha Steaks wrote a romance novel to promote its new date night box. I wonder how many other brands will lean into romance novels to market their brand.
Cover Story brings us back to 2005. Relatedly, Devon McCormack (jokingly) asks if 1990s romances should be marked as historical romance.
Authors are angry that Meta used their work to train AI. Victoria Aveyard speaks with WBUR
Some authors, including Louise Penny, are no longer traveling to the US for book events. Likewise, some U.S. authors like Ali Hazelwood are no longer leaving the US and are canceling tours.
Jennifer Weiner shares books to read in April, including Rachel Reid’s new hockey romance, The Shots You Take.
It’s National Library Week! Unfortunately, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is being gutted by the current administration, leading many libraries to lose funding. Four of the Big Five publishers (excluding HarperCollins) wrote a letter to Congress expressing deep concern. ALA’s Department of Intellectual Freedom reports that more than 70% of demands to censor books come from government entities and pressure groups.
The LiFT for Autism auction, ran by Kennedy Ryan and Ginger Scott, features a lot of romance books. Bidding starts April 21 but they’re currently accepting items and services.
🥰 Free Books
Seed Money by B.E. Baker Love Under Contract by Sharon C. Cooper Finding Love in Forgotten Cove by Karice Bolton Wrong Places by Teralyn Mitchell Between a Fox and a Hard Place by Mary Frame The Billionaire’s Secret by L. Steele Secrets of Midnight by Miriam Minger A Rhapsody of Temptation and Ruin by A.M. Boone The Cursed Prince by Richard Amos Hot Roommate Blues by Parker Avrile One-Night Stand by Jenna Kent One Shot by Riley Parker Fate of Water and Wind by Lashell Rain | Leap to Love by Johana Gavez A Venture of the Heart by Amelia Judd and Karen Dale Harris The Girl He Needs by Kristi Rose The Consorts by Melissa Addey Inappropriate by Vi Keeland The Earl’s Lady Thief by Jennifer Monroe Mated to the Monster by Sarah Spade Cocky Biker by Faleena Hopkins The Loneliest Cottage by Melissa Storm Through Death by Olivia Lark Vinyl Hearts by Ember Hart Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace Seed Money by B.E. Baker |
🛍️ eBook Sales
Frenemies and Lovers by Michelle McCraw $0.99 The Montana Rancher by Paula Altenburg $0.99 The Irish Redemption by Ava Gray $0.99 Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins $1.99 Sacrificed to the Beast by Jessa Kane $0.99 Lime To My Coconut by Lynn Joseph $0.99 Unstoppable by Shon $0.99 The Cowboy’s Road Home by Shirleen Davies $3.99 | The Honeymooner by Melanie Summers $0.99 Natural Selection by Elin Hinderbrand $1.99 Knocked Up by my Best Friend’s Brothers by Kai Lesy $0.99 The Guest of Honor by Stacy-Deanne Venus Ray $0.99 The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins $1.99 The Devil’s Own Duke by Anna Harrington $0.99 The Hawk Laird by Susan King $0.99 Academy Obscura by Cassia Briar $0.99 The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe $1.99 |
How do you feel about today’s issue?You can add more detailed feedback after you get this party started! |
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