We’re all stuck at home for the foreseeable future, which means it’s the perfect time to read some escapist fiction! Given that we here at Black Heart are currently working on putting together a romance-themed issue, for our “Love Notes” edition (coming in September), it seemed appropriate to give you a list of our top five most anticipated romance reads of this coming month in order to get you into the right headspace.
To that end, we’ve arranged our list by debut date, so you can schedule something in that empty agenda you used to fill with deadlines, appointments, and social activities. (#StayHomeSaveLives!)
As always, the links shown below are affiliate links, which help keep our site up and running. We’ve used Amazon links for books only available in digital format, and IndieBound links for those with paperback options.
Ready for some happy endings? Then let’s get to it!
MAY 5
Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon (Sweet Rose Book 1)
The Pitch: Jordan Collins doesn’t need a man.
What he needs is for his favorite author to release another one of her sexy supernatural novels and more people to sign up for the romance book club that he fears is slowly and steadily losing its steam. He also needs for the new employee at his local bookstore to stop making fun of him for reading things meant for “grandmas.”
The very last thing he needs is for that same employee, Rex Bailey, to waltz into his living room and ask to join Meet Cute Club. Despite his immediate thoughts—like laughing in his face and telling him to kick rocks—Jordan decides that if he wants this club to continue thriving, he can’t turn away any new members. Not even ones like Rex, who somehow manage to be both frustratingly obnoxious and breathtakingly handsome.
As Jordan and Rex team up to bring the club back from the ashes, Jordan soon discovers that Rex might not be the arrogant troll he made himself out to be, and that, like with all things in life, maybe he was wrong to judge a book by its cover.
MAY 12
Blow My Fuse by Autumn Jones Lake (Kickstart Trilogy Book 2)
The Pitch: She’s the steady pulse in my veins. Mallory burst into my life like glittering gold in a concrete jungle. We’ve fought hard and survived the biggest obstacles in our relationship. At least that’s what I thought. The band should be headed for platinum status. Instead, new threats emerge from the most unlikely places. It’s impossible to tell who’s a friend and who’s about to stick a knife in my back. Suddenly, taking the easy road seems a lot more alluring.
He’s my vigilant protector. Rock & roll might have been Chaser’s first love, but I never doubt his devotion to me. I’m always his priority. But protecting me at all costs drives him to reckless acts, so now it’s my turn to keep him safe. I’m willing to do whatever it takes, whether that means seeking help from Chaser’s father and the Devil Demons MC or visiting my father in prison.
Hollywood won’t tear us apart. Together we’ll struggle to hold on to what matters most—each other. I’ll fight for my man with everything I am, even if I have to drag him through hell to the other side.
NOTE: Blow My Fuse is the second book of the Kickstart Trilogy by USA Today bestselling author Autumn Jones Lake. It should be read after Kickstart My Heart.
MAY 19
Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
The Pitch: When their foster-turned-adoptive mother suddenly dies, four brothers struggle to keep open the doors of her beloved Harlem knitting shop.
Jesse Strong is known for two things: his devotion to his adoptive mom, Mama Joy, and his reputation for breaking hearts. When Mama Joy unexpectedly passes away, he and his brothers have different plans for what to do with Strong Knits, their neighborhood knitting store. Jesse wants to keep the store open. His brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop…
Part-time shop employee Kerry Fuller has kept her crush on Jesse a secret. When she overhears his impassioned plea to his brothers to keep the knitting shop open, she volunteers to help. Unlike Jesse, Kerry knows the “knitty-gritty” of the business, and together they make plans to reinvent Strong Knits for a new generation.
But the more time they spend together, the stronger the chemistry builds between them. Kerry, knowing Jesse’s history, doesn’t believe their relationship can last longer than she can knit one, purl two. But Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her forever and always. After all, real men knit.
MAY 21
Take a Chance on Me by Kathryn R. Biel
The Pitch: Moving to Hicklam is the last thing Gloria Benedetti wants to do, but it’s her final hope at having a normal life. After spending almost a decade as a near recluse and virtually paralyzed by crippling panic attacks, an alternative therapy might be her only shot at regaining her life after trauma. Trauma that forced her to give up everything, including a promising career on the stage.
Staying in Hicklam is the last thing Grayson Keene planned on doing, but The Edison Theater has been in his family for generations, and he can’t let it sink on his watch. Unfortunately, things with The Edison have gone from bad to worse, and Grayson needs all the help he can get to save the old girl. He needs one successful season to make things work, and then maybe, just maybe, he can get his life—and his Broadway career—back.
As Gloria’s on the verge of the health and healing she’s been working toward, the one thing that will save The Edison may just break her once and for all. If she protects herself, it’ll cost Grayson everything. This may be the one chance that’s too big to take.
MAY 26
Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
The Pitch: A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.
Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn’t come at a worse time—threatening Emma’s promotion and Jo’s new movie.
As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a “source” is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is “no comment.”
With the launch of Jo’s film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all…but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames?
BONUS FEATURES
MAY 1: Harvest of Sighs by Sierra Simone (Thornchapel Book 3)
MAY 11: The Breakup Artist by Lila Monroe (Cupids Book 4)
MAY 19: Hot Mess by Emma Hart
MAY 26:
- The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton (A Boots and Bouquets Novel Book 1)
- Ghosting: A Love Story by Tash Skilton
- Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan
- Wicked Secret by Sawyer Bennett (Wicked Horse Vegas Book 8)
Still need more?
Check out this Goodreads list of the 100 Most Anticipated Romances of May 2020, and be sure to check back for our next list in June!