Check out the top ten most anticipated new romance book releases for August 2023 that will having you swooning and believing in happily-ever-afters!
These are the new romance books about to drop that are already on my “to read list” that I hope will find a spot on my best romance novels of 2023 list this year.
I absolutely love their diversity and variety of storylines so there is something for everyone this month to look forward to reading!
For even more new romance book releases, don’t miss my upcoming releases page or my previous monthly release book posts.
Happy reading, because life is better with a love story…
SPONSORED BY:
Shameful Prowess by Charlee Rae Valentine
Charlee Rae uses her powers of seduction to escape her poverty-stricken Mississippi town. The novel pivots among moments of romance, comedy, and scandalous drama, as Charlee begins to question her immoral choices.
Filled with the relatable struggles of everyday life, an inspiring message of transformation, and sometimes shocking moments of manipulation, Shameful Prowess is a thought- provoking debut.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
10 Most Anticipated New Romance Books Releasing in August 2023:
In the Likely Event
by Rebecca Yarros
Chance Encounter Romance
Releasing August 1, 2023
When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful.
Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist.
Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.
Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.
Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.
Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.
He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.
OK, so after reading Fourth Wing I’m all about reading Rebecca Yarros, and I LOVE the set-up of her new release because one – Navy Seal (hello!) and two – because there aren’t a lot of romance books with characters in political office so I’m super psyched to read it.
Plus, In the Likely Event is one of Amazon’s First Reads titles for July meaning you can read it for FREE if you’re an Amazon Prime member, or if you’re not a Prime member, you can purchase it at a discounted rate. Learn more here about First Reads.
Check out my review of In the Likely Event.
Kiss the Girl
by Zoraida Cordova
Rock Star Romance
Releasing August 1, 2023
Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters―together, known as the band Siren Seven―have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids.
On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. But lately, she wants more.
Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can’t wait to spend the summer just living a normal life―part of a world she’s only ever seen from the outside.
But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other plans: begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show.
The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn.
It’s there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band.
Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father―and goes with him.
Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?
This book has been on my most anticipated romance books of 2023 since the end of last year so I cannot wait to finally read it.
I’m not only loving this modern take on The Little Mermaid after watching the incredible live action film but I have to say that this book blurb is AMAZING for all the hints and nods to the classic story.
I am so excited that Cordova made Ariel and Eric rock stars and cannot wait to see what else she has in store for this story and what role her “Ursala” character will play.
Related: Best Rock Star Romance Books
Change of Plans
by Dylan Newton
A Single Guardian Romance
Releasing August 1, 2023
When disaster strikes and chef Bryce Weatherford is given guardianship of her three young nieces, her life goes from cooking with fire…to controlling a dumpster fire.
Five‑year‑old Addison refuses to remove her fairy wings, eight‑year‑old Cecily won’t bathe, and tween June is majoring in belligerence.
With all this chaos, Bryce jettisons hope for a life outside of managing her family and her new job.
It’s been years since Ryker Matthews had his below‑the‑knee amputation, yet the phantom pain for his lost limb and Marine career haunts him.
To cope, he focuses on his vehicle restoration business. He knows he’s lucky to be alive. Yet, “lucky” feels more like “cursed” to his lonely heart.
When Ryker literally sweeps Bryce off her feet in the grocery store’s baby aisle, they both feel sparks.
But falling in love would be one more curveball neither is ready to deal with… or is it exactly the change of plans they need?
This book is giving me vibes like the Hannah Bonam-Young books I’ve adored recently – Next of Kin and Out on a Limb and it’s by an author I’ve yet to read!
I love books about characters who unexpectedly become guardians and find themselves in over the heads and falling in love with the person who helps them out.
I cannot wait to read this one!
From Cold World, With Love
by Alicia Thompson
Office Romance
Releasing August 1, 2023
Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper for Cold World, a tourist destination that’s always a winter wonderland despite being located in humid Orlando, Florida.
Sure, it’s ranked way below any of the trademarked amusement parks and maybe foot traffic could be better. But it’s a fun place to work, even if “fun” isn’t exactly Lauren’s middle name.
Her coworker Asa Williamson, on the other hand, is all about finding ways to enliven his days at Cold World—whether that means organizing the Secret Santa or teasing Lauren.
When the owner asks Lauren and Asa to propose something to raise more revenue, their rivalry heats up as they compete to come up with the best idea.
But the situation is more dire than they thought, and it might take these polar opposites working together to save the day.
If Asa thought Lauren didn’t know how to enjoy herself, he’s surprised by how much he enjoys spending time together. And if Lauren thought Asa wasn’t serious about anything, she’s surprised by how seriously he seems to take her.
As Lauren and Asa work to save their beloved wintery spot, they realize the real attraction might be the heat generating between them.
This book made my summer reads of 2023 list because it has so many romance book tropes to love if any of these are your favorites: office romance, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine and a bit of enemies to lovers.
I passed a place like this when we visited Pigeon Forge, TN, and it totally sparked my imagination about what it would be like to work there where every day was winter.
Guess I’ll have to read this to get an idea and a happily-ever-after too!
Related: Best Office Romance Books, Best Grumpy Sunshine Books
Play Your Part
by Kathryn Kincaid
An Enemies to Lovers, Hockey Romance
Releasing August 3, 2023
Kennedy Cole’s life stalled one year ago after she tragically lost her mom. She abandoned her plans to finish college and quit working for her family’s professional hockey team, the Palmer City Wolves.
She’s finally ready to move forward with Wolves star player Justin Ward at her side, but when he’s traded to another team, he hightails it out of town, leaving Kennedy behind.
Alexei Volkov is known for his hotheaded reputation, on-ice antics, and rivalry with Justin.
After being fired by his last team, the Wolves offer Alexei a one-year contract to prove he can stay out of trouble.
When a misleading photo of Kennedy and Alexei in a compromising position goes viral, his career is in jeopardy, along with the team’s public image.
Alexei wants nothing to do with the sassy brunette who got him into this mess. Kennedy would rather avoid the arrogant hockey player.
But pretending to date each other can fix the negative press. The agreement was simple: three months together, with clearly outlined rules.
But the more time Kennedy and Alexei spend together, the harder it becomes to fight the sizzling chemistry between them, making it difficult to know where pretense ends and reality begins.
It’s never hard to twist my arm to read either an enemies to lovers book or a hockey romance and this is both PLUS a fake dating relationship. Um…..I’d like this now please 😊.
And since this is Kincaid’s debut novel, I’ve obviously never read her work before so this would be the perfect pick for the August Romance Book Reading Challenge where we are reading one new author to you this month!
When “trying out” new authors, I love to pick books on Kindle Unlimited which is just one reason to snag this subscription service so go ahead and read this on KU this month!
Related: Best Enemies to Lovers Books, Best Hockey Romance Books
Hideaway Heart
by Melanie Harlow
A Bodyguard, Forced Proximity Romance
Releasing August 7, 2023
All I wanted was a break–two weeks off from being Pixie Hart, country music sensation, and fourteen days of peace, privacy, and solitude as plain old Kelly Jo Sullivan.
But thanks to some overzealous paparazzi, my family refuses to let me go anywhere alone, and I’m stuck sharing this tiny cabin with a tall, dark, and bearded bodyguard.
And guess what? There’s only one bed.
Xander Buckley might be hot, and I get that he’s a former Navy SEAL, but the man gives new meaning to the words overbearing, overprotective, bossy alpha male.
But he’s made it clear that what he says goes, and if I don’t like it, I can kiss my vacation goodbye.
Instead, I end up kissing him.
I don’t even know how it happened–one minute we were at each other’s throats, the next we were at each other’s mercy. What’s even more shocking is how good we are together.
But emotional trust doesn’t come easily to me. And we’re on two completely different paths.
Without question, I’d put my life in his hands. Just don’t ask me to give him my heart.
Melanie Harlow is one of those authors that just keeps cranking out great books and she amazes me how she takes on new tropes and constantly gives us new characters to love.
This is book two in the Cherry Tree Harbor series but I know this can easily be read as a standalone. I love forced proximity romance books and I hope I love it!
Related: Best Bodyguard Romance Books
Cruel Seduction
by Katee Robert
A Polyamorous Romance
Releasing August 8, 2023
Aphrodite has never flinched at getting her perfectly manicured hands dirty, and she’s not about to start now—even if that means marrying Olympus’s enemy number one, the new Hephaestus.
She has a wicked plan to keep her dangerous new husband off-balance, seducing the one person he seems to care about most in this world: Pandora, a woman as beautiful as she is sweet.
Two can play the seduction game, however, and Hephaestus is all too happy to put his new wife in her place.
Her ex, Adonis, seems like he’ll do the trick. It doesn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous in the way of fallen angels, either.
The only problem with using seduction as a weapon? Hearts are all too quick to get involved.
With Hephaestus and Aphrodite trading venomous barbs that feel a whole lot like foreplay, lines become blurred and emotions entangled. But a broken heart may be the least of their worries.
With unrest in Olympus reaching new heights, these bedroom games may have dangerous consequences for themselves, their city, and everyone they’ve come to love.
This too made my list of best summer reads of 2023 because you know Robert is going to turn up the HEAT with this one if it’s anything like her other books in the Neon Gods series.
I love that she doesn’t hold back with any of her books, and given that there are four characters at play in this one, I imagine this is going to be one steamy romance book!
Related: Best Enemies to Lovers Books
Not My Kind of Hero
by Pippa Grant
A Single Mom, Small Town Romance
August 2023
I knew fixing up my life with a fresh start on the hobby ranch I inherited in Hell’s Bells, Wyoming, would come with challenges.
Things like snow. Wildlife. Local gossip about why my daughter and I are here.
But the biggest challenge? My surly new tenant.
He’s like a bear. Fascinating from a distance, but don’t get too close, or he’ll bite.
His personality should be a good thing. I have no need of a new man in my life. But he’s not only my tenant; he’s also my daughter’s math teacher and soccer coach.
I keep running into him. He keeps thinking I need to be saved.
Maybe I do, but here’s what I don’t expect: he’s a fixer-upper in need of saving too. And I might be the only woman for the job.
Hell’s Bells, help me.
This book made my list of most anticipated for the month because I already read it and loved it!
Seriously, this was a book I could not put down because I just loved the characters, their growth and the amazing storyline.
It is so good it made my list of best romance novels of 2023 and won’t be my last Pippa Grant book to read.
Trust me when I say you want to read this one!
Love on the Byline
by Xio Axelrod
A Contemporary Romance
Releasing August 29, 2023
Blake Dillon isn’t exactly living the dream. She longs to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and make a difference in the world as a journalist.
Unfortunately, her current job has her paying-off hotel staff for celebrity gossip. Tasked with shadowing a film star for an in-depth profile, Blake sees it as a chance to finally prove her worth.
She never expected the interview to reconnect her with her old college crush.
Oliver Benjamin agrees to move to Los Angeles to work as the executive assistant to his best friend, a rising star.
He hopes it will give him some direction. However, he soon discovers the only difference between being a frat boy and a Hollywood heartthrob is the amount of free stuff and the level of media attention.
Ollie spends most of his time putting out fires, leaving little time for anything else. When Blake is sent to chronicle their lives, he finds himself face-to-face with the one that got away.
Blake and Ollie are smart enough to recognize the signs—there are enough sparks between them to melt glass—but they agree to put a lid on it until the article is finished.
Much easier said than done when they’re forced to spend more time together than apart. There’s more going on than a simple interview, but they’re both professionals.
They must resist temptation or risk unraveling both their lives.
This book caught my eye because I like the unqiue storyline that brings the journalist and personal assistant together in this second chance romance.
I love when chemistry between characters jumps off the page, especially when they acknowledge their mutual attraction and need to ignore it for the sake of their jobs. Gah! I hope the tension is unbearable good in this one!
Related: Best Office Romance Books
The Love Plot
by Samantha Young
Fake Relationship Romance
Releasing August 29, 2023
Star Shine Meadows is all about freedom, thanks to the hippie parents who raised her.
Juggling her jobs as a professional costume character actor and a line sitter, she believes in no expectations, no stressful ambitions, and no-strings-attached relationships.
So when she meets a birthday girl’s grumpy uncle while working a princess party, she can’t help but needle him. She’ll never see him again, and honestly, he’s pretty hot.
Rafe Whitman may be a veterinarian with a great bedside manner, but that doesn’t mean his patience extends to anyone with opposable thumbs.
His family will not stop nagging him about finding “the one,” so when he runs into obnoxiously cheery Star again, he makes her an offer: He’ll pay her more than she would make doing her odd jobs if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at family gatherings.
She can stop sitting in line waiting for someone else’s new phone, and he’ll get his family off his back.
When the tension between them heats to a breaking point, Star’s desire for “no strings” is tested against Rafe’s staunch stability. They say opposites attract, after all…
Samantha Young is bringing all the tropes in this one too! Grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, fake relationship – this is going to be so good.
Sometimes it seems that people with opposite personalities are just too opposite to find common ground let alone love, but if this hippie and grump can do it then I want to enjoy the ride along with them.
Related: Best Fake Relationship Romance Books, Best Romcom Books
What new romance book are YOU most excited to read this August 2023? Share in the comments below!
More Related Book Lists:
- Most Anticipated New Romance Books Releasing in 2023
- Upcoming New Romance Books List
- Best Summer Reads of 2023
- Top 10 New Romance Books Coming July 2023
- New Romance Book Releases for June 2023