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Jessica Pryde is a member of that rare breed that grew up in Washington, DC, but is happily enjoying the warmer weather of the desert Southwest. While she is still working on what she wants to be when she grows up, she’s enjoying dabbling in librarianship and writing all the things. She’s the editor of Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters, and her fiction has been published by Generous Press. She can be found drowning in her ever-growing TBR and exclaiming about romance on When in Romance, as well as on social media. Find her exclamations about books and internet ridiculousness on BlueSky (JessIsReading) and instagram/threads (jess_is_reading).
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Well folks, it’s March. If your weather is changing, I hope it’s a hoped-for change. If you’re dealing with the constant change that is happening in other parts of American life right now, I’m hoping these new romances are going to bring you some element of joy.
As usual, there are just…so many books coming out right now! I managed to get this list down to 15 that I thought might be of interest to folks—and of course, that you might not already know exist! Of course, there are other books coming out like Queen of Shadows and Ruin, the fourth book in Nisha J. Tuli’s Artefacts of Ourenos series, which recently got a shoutout from Millennial Queen Katherine Heigl. And Sierra Simone’s A Lesson in Thorns is getting the Bloom Books treatment, so grab that boobalicious cover in print while you can? I guess? I’m not sure if Murder By Memory technically falls under the romance umbrella, but it’s a mystery by a romance author so there’s probably some Feelings happening somewhere, right? And we have new books coming out from Cara Bastone, Elsie Silver, Laurie Gilmore, and Lucy Score, not to mention new printings of an older Emily McIntire series (that is much brighter than the Never After series), but you all probably knew that already!
No matter what you read, you’re bound to find something pretty fun to read this month (or something that will make you cry, whatever floats your boat). We’ve got our usual majority contemporary romance, but we’ve also got some magic and a couple of historicals—a genre which is very much not dead, thank you very much. No categories this time, but you should always check out Harlequin’s newest releases; not only are they great when you’re not completely sure what you want until you read a very descriptive title, but their cover game is the best in the business!
Here are some books I’m looking forward to seeing in March!
Just Our Luck by Denise Williams
Sybil is broke and directionless, so what better way to tempt fate than to buy a lottery ticket at the late-night donut spot and then go home with the guy running the place, only to leave the ticket behind in the morning?! When Kiran’s effort to find her goes viral (and significantly increases sales at his failing family bakery), the pair decide to fake a relationship for their own reasons. But of course, the course of true love etc etc.
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The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes
This follow-up to The Enchanted Hacienda brings us back to the magical Estrada family and the historic Mexican house that calls them home. In The Anatomy of Magic, we follow Lilian, the sister whose powers allow her to manipulate memories. After a tragic event at the hospital where she works sends her magic on the fritz, Lilian ventures home to Mexico, where she runs into Sam, her first love. Sam, who isn’t the boy she knew. Sam, who might be worth trying again with—if she can get her power under control.
Fan Service by Rosie Danan
Devin isn’t a werewolf, he just played one on TV. At least, that used to be the case. But now, now, he sure does seem to have a lot of symptoms of lycanthropy, but he can’t really go to a hospital and ask. The only person he can ask is Alex, the expert in all things lore for Arcane, the show he was on. Except she hates his guts. This should go well.
A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander
A trans regency, you say? By TJ Alexander, you say? What more do you need to know? Go get it!
(Okay, fine.)
Lord Christopher Eden prefers to live off the grid with just a few trusted servants, but a wrench is thrown into his plans to live his life out at Eden’s End, his ancestral country home. His father’s will dictates that he must marry in order to retain his holdings. So off he goes to London, where he hires Harding to be his valet. The pair have a rough start, but gradually become friends and confidantes—except when it comes to each of the men’s greatest secrets.
Something Cheeky by Thien-Kim Lam
Years ago, college best friends Derek and Zoe dreamed up an all-Asian Cinderella rock musical, but ended up going their separate ways after college. Now Derek is back and wants Zoe to design the costumes for their dream show, which could move on to Broadway if it succeeds in D.C. While Zoe didn’t like Derek like that in college, the time they spend together now might bring something new to the table…but some conflict with the show might lead them down a path they don’t want.
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The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid
I didn’t need to know what this book was about if it was going to give me the same feelings as Time to Shine, but I have learned that the average person wants to know what something’s about before they’re forced to buy it, so here goes.
Major League hockey players Riley and Adam were once not only teammates, but also best friends with benefits. When Riley left the league—and left town—ten years ago, he thought he’d left Adam behind for good, but Adam comes back into his life when Riley is dealing with a personal tragedy. Adam’s just there to be the friend he needs, but that chemistry still bubbles under the surface, and the pair have to say all the things they should have a decade before.
The Love Simulation by Etta Easton
The Kiss Countdown was a belated favorite of 2024 for me, and I’m excited to see more of Etta Easton’s Rogers family. This time we get Brianna, a school vice principal, and Roman, the school’s new science teacher. When the two both sign up for a Mars simulation for teachers, Brianna’s ready to butt heads, but Roman is nothing but useful. Will their extended proximity lead to something neither expected?
My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein
Charlotte Stein has been around for a long time, but she’s been putting out solid romcoms for the past couple of years, and this one promises to take the lead. Writer Connie doesn’t trust nice guys, but she can’t help but sort of love Beck, her cheerful neighbor. When he reveals that he’s been single his whole life but told his work fellows that he’s married, Connie doesn’t expect to wind up in a scheme to pretend to be his wife at a work retreat. Cue that one-bed trope!
(Also my K key has been wonky so I keep typing My Big Fat Fae Marriage, which I would like to see *eyes emoji*)
One in a Million by Beverley Kendall
Okay, so. Surprise baby, right? But to the mother?!
How does that work, you ask? Well, superstar Sahara had her eggs harvested with the plan to use them later, but a mix-up at the clinic leads to her discovering that she has a biological child…and the newly single father isn’t particularly up for sharing her.
A Wager at Midnight by Vanessa Riley
In the sequel to A Gamble at Sunset, Georgina’s younger sister Scarlett, who often toes the line by going to science lectures dressed in “inappropriate” clothing, finds herself in a predicament when she’s outed at one of those lectures. When Trinidadian doctor Stephen Carew comes to her rescue, they’re encouraged by Scarlett’s family and protectors to marry, but neither is ready to marry anyone, especially someone they don’t particularly know.
Cover Story by Celia Laskey
Alright, folks, ready to feel very Cryptkeeper dot gif? This work of HISTORICAL FICTION takes place in 2005—and the world was very different from what it looks like now. Ali is a publicist whose whole role is keeping closeted gay celebrities from being outed, whether by other people or themselves. Her newest assignment, Cara, is about to hit it big, and could put her entire career on the line if she reveals her secret, which she hates keeping.
The Lady Sparks a Flame by Elizabeth Everett
Lady Phoebe Hunt wasn’t a great person in Elizabeth Everett’s previous series, but her father’s death draws her back to England from her self-imposed exile in America. She needs to sell her family home, and social climber Samuel Fenley is ready to relieve her of it. This is a slow, slow burn with a black cat/golden retriever dynamic, and I’m here for it.
Innocence of the Maiden by Ileandra Young
Sapphic witches, rival covens, a bit of a mystery. Tina is a cop, but when her coven mentor goes missing, she does her best to keep trying to find her separate from her regular police work. But there are other things going on, both between the covens and between herself and her (secret?) girlfriend, and everything is about to come to a head.
Through the Fire by Danielle Brooks
The second book in the Fire Company 143 series, Through the Fire brings us back to the world of this group of firefighters. This time the romance is completely in-house, between new firefighter Fallon and Captain Benjamin Deacon. When Fallon joins House 143, the last person she expects to know is her new captain. He’s excited to see her and to maybe see where their chemistry takes them, but she’s not interested in commitment, especially with the whole He’s Her Captain thing.
Fire on Ice by Charlotte Dinnis
I will admit I was drawn to this book because there are two Black people on skates on the cover. But I’m definitely interested in the interior, too! Skylar is a sports therapist for the D.C. Eagles, the team she grew up around because her father’s a legendary coach. She’s determined never to date a player, but when Tavon joins the team as a new goalie, her resistance is put to the test—especially when he’s injured and she’s responsible for his recovery.
And there are so many more books! Like I’m excited for Three’s a Charm by Nasha B. And I know folks who read and enjoyed The Nightmare Before Kissmas are ready for Go Luck Yourself (LOL). And I’ve seen Eve Falls First by Fiona Zedde on Netgalley and Zedde’s social media, but can’t find it on the retail sites just yet.
If you missed last month’s new releases, you can check out the list of highlights too. And make sure you’ve got this list of sapphic romances to preorder on lock.
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