Must-Read New Romance Books Dropping December 2024

Podcast Episode 81: New Romance Book Releases to Read This December 2024

Under Loch & Key
by Lana Ferguson

Monster Romance
Releasing December 3, 2024

Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries-old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.

I’ve already read this book and can say that it was so much fun to read even if monster romance isn’t your thing. But if a hot Scotsman with a dirty talking brogue is then trust me when I say you’ll want to read this book.

I loved how Lana put her own twist on this paranormal romance, considering the idea…what if the Loch ness monster was really a man cursed to turn into a dinosaur-like monster from sundown to sunup. And what would happen if the lass he’s wary off finds out about the curse and maybe gets a bit turned on when he turns?

If you liked The Fake Mate by Lana then I really think you’ll like Loch & Key. Definitely check it out this December. And let’s all admire this amazing book cover. Sooo cute!

Check out my book review for Under Loch and Key.

Keep Me
by Sara Cate

Marriage of Convenience Romance
Releasing December 3, 2024

All Killian Barclay wants is to be left the hell alone. He’s had enough heartache to last a lifetime, and he has no more need for love—earning him the reputation of a broody Scot and eventually turning his famous ancestral home into a den of iniquity.

It doesn’t take long for tales of his raunchy house parties to reach the rest of his family, though, inspiring them to hatch a plan to shake Killian out of his routine.

New Yorker Sylvie Devereaux is tough as nails—as the daughter of famous yet neglectful parents, she’s grown a hard shell and keeps everyone at arm’s length.

So when she sneaks into Barclay Manor during a trip to Scotland to get a glimpse of a famous heirloom, she doesn’t anticipate facing off against the brutish, maddening highlander who lives there. And she certainly didn’t expect to ever see the bastard again.

Yet just weeks later, she’s approached by Killian’s family with a proposal—move to Scotland and marry Killian to improve his playboy reputation, and after one year, she’ll walk away with ten million dollars. Sylvie agrees, even knowing that their plan is more deceptive than he realizes.

But as she grows closer to Killian and the end of their year together, she has to decide: Is the love of a good man with a dark soul worth keeping, or is she willing to break Killian’s heart now that it’s well and truly hers?

Queue up this new romance book for another hot Scotsman gracing the romance book pages this December. In this one however, Killian is not cursed but he is struggling with grief and a heavy burden that has kept him from leaving his Scottish manor for 6 years. And he’s going to be forced out of the manor by his family if he stays married to his arranged wife – only he doesn’t know it.

And who would blame Sylvie for agreeing to the marriage considering she’s broke and doesn’t have anyone who loves or supports her and she’s offered freaking 10 million dollars to marry a guy. If you like Sara Cate’s writing then consider checking out this one this December.

Related: Best Marriage of Convenience Romance Books

The Mistletoe Mix-up
by Codi Hall

Holiday Romance
Releasing December 3, 2024

Sam Griffin’s nephew meant well when he brought his uncle to the attention of a relationship-advice radio show in Mistletoe, Idaho. But now, Sam is getting publicly roasted for his love life. Faced with the harsh reality of his dating history, he wants to be known as more than the guy who bounces from bed to bed. And if that means falling in love and settling down, all the better.

Back home after a long stint in the big city, police officer Wren Little is pulling double duty protecting the community and her own heart. With two decades behind her, she knows she dodged a bullet when she chose not to run off with Sam when they were teenagers. But it’s proving difficult to avoid being confronted by her infamous ex—everywhere from the airwaves to the local watering hole. And he’s just as hot as ever . . .

As Christmas quickly approaches, Sam and Wren decide to let bygones be bygones in the spirit of the season. But with unresolved feelings, secrets, and passions simmering just below the surface, all it’ll take is a little holiday cheer to reignite a romance that was never really extinguished.

This is book three in Hall’s Falling in Mistletoe series and all three are available in Kindle Unlimited so I’m excited to binge read them all this month. I love that it’s a bit of a second chance romance for two people who had once fallen for each other as teenagers and are able to finally face their connection again even if it was spurred by a relationship radio show.

This sounds super cute and I love that the heroine is a police officer. I’m anxious to see how Sam gets roasted for his dating past too!

Related: New Christmas Romance Books of 2024

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates
by Jenny L. Howe

Friends to Lovers Romance
Releasing December 10, 2024

Dating as a plus-size woman has been exhausting for Haleigh Berkshire. Sure, she’s only twenty-five, but she’s been doing it for a decade, and she’s beginning to think it’s time for a sabbatical. It doesn’t help that she’s been madly in love with her best friend, Jack, for years—but one disastrous weekend in college taught her the hard way that they’ll never be more than friends.

With her sister’s engagement celebration fast approaching, and her friends and family nagging her about a plus-one, Haleigh and Jack do what they do best: scheme. Haleigh agrees to let her friends and family set her up with ten people—and she’s sure that, once none of them prove to be good matches, her loved ones will finally let her fade into romantic retirement in peace.

To her surprise, some of Haleigh’s dates go better than expected, and for the first time in forever, she’s actually having fun. Until Jack starts breaking all the rules they’d made to mend their friendship in college. He produces a laundry list of flaws for everyone she likes, crashes some of her nights out, and finally shocks her by throwing himself into the mix. Dating Jack has always been the dream, but Haleigh is afraid of the reality. Is it worth risking her best friend for something that may have never been meant to be?

I got to talk with Jenny about this book so stay tuned for the She Reads Romance Books Podcast interview releasing this December to hear more about how the idea of this book came to be, why it’s important to Jenny to write body-positive and sex-positive books and what she loves best about these characters.

You just know that Haleigh is going to go on some cringe-worthy dates even if it’s her family and friends setting her up. But I’m also curious to know why she and Jack aren’t a thing already and why it took this idea of setting her up to get him to put himself back in the ring.

Check out my book review of How to Get a Life in 10 Dates.

Related: Best Love Triangle Romance Books

Not in My Book
by Katie Holt

Rivals to Lovers
Releasing December 10, 2024

Rosie, an idealistic and passionate Peruvian American, leaves her Tennessee hometown to pursue her dream of making it in New York as a writer. But her plan is derailed when she ends up in class with her archnemesis and ex-crush, Aiden Huntington—an obnoxious, surly, and gorgeous literary fiction writer who doesn’t have much patience for the romance genre or for Rosie.

Rosie and Aiden regularly go to verbal battle in workshop until their professor reaches her breaking point. She allows them to stay in her class on one condition: they must cowrite a novel that blends their genres. 

The reluctant writing duo can’t help but put pieces of themselves into their accidentally steamy novel, and their manuscript-in-progress provides an outlet for them to confess their feelings—and explore their attraction toward each other.

When Rosie and Aiden find themselves competing against each other for a potentially career-changing opportunity, the flames of old rivalry reignite, and their once-in-a-lifetime love story is once again at risk of being shelved—unless they can find a way to end the book on their own terms.

I LOVE the storyline of this book and how the hero and heroine are rivals and opposites and yet have to write a story together. And the fact that their feelings for one another make it onto the page – genius and super cute. I cannot wait to read this and really hope it meets my expectations.

It’s being pitched as The Hating Game meets Beach Read as a hot and hilarious enemies-to-lovers romance which sounds like something I will totally gobble up.

Related: Best Rivals to Lovers Romance Books

Formula Fling
by Sawyer Bennett

Sports Romance
Releasing December 10, 2024

Posey Evans is looking to take her career as a romance author to the next level, shifting from historical love stories to writing about the high stakes world of formula racing. Wanting to immerse herself in the sport, Posey manages to secure full access to the Crown Velocity Racing team by faking credentials as a journalist.

When she’s granted unlimited face-to-face time with one of the teams’ best drivers, Posey is equal parts elated and terrified because while she’s getting exactly what she wants, she can’t afford to have her secret exposed.

Lex Hamilton lives for the thrill of being one of the fastest and most decorated race car drivers in the sport. When he’s behind the wheel, he’s focused on one thing and one thing only—earning top spot on the podium. But off the track? Let’s just say his extracurricular activities have put him on a very short leash with the team management at Crown Velocity.

He’s cocky, handsome, dripping with swagger, and not super happy to have what he considers a babysitter following his every move. Lex’s unwillingness to help doesn’t deter Posey but when he uncovers her secret, they strike a deal—he won’t reveal her truth if she helps him stay out of trouble and keep his job.

While many women would swoon at his feet, Posey isn’t interested in anything more than Lex’s racing knowledge. Mostly. As the season inches closer and passions ignite, time at the track leads to time in the bed.

Having agreed there is an expiration date on their arrangement, what started as an assignment has the potential to go the distance as their physical relationship builds into something deeper. But when her secret is revealed, will Lex and Posey’s relationship hit a wall, or will this fling find its way to the checkered flag?

I don’t think I’ve read a Sawyer Bennett book since I devoured her Wicked Horse and Wicked Horse Las Vegas series so it’s high time to get back into her work and I love that she’s diving into formula one racing.

She can really write sports romance as I loved her first hockey series she wrote. I’m hoping Lex is a hero easy to love even though he’s a complete player. I love how Posey is all about the racing at first so let’s find out how he gets her in his bed and if he can keep her there this December.

Something Extraordinary
by Alexis Hall

Queer Historical Romance
Releasing December 17, 2024

Sir Horley Comewithers isn’t particularly interested in getting married, especially when his match is a perfectly respectable young woman. Sir Horley is, after all, extravagantly gay. But he’s resigned to a fate there’s no point resisting—until a dear friend does it for him.

Arabella Tarleton has no interest in romance, but even she can see that Sir Horley’s nuptials are destined to end in a lifetime of misery. Well, not on her watch. And what are friends for, if not abducting you on the night before your wedding in an overdramatic attempt to save you from a terrible mistake?

Their journey to Gretna Green is a hodgepodge of colorful run-ins and near misses with questionable innkeepers, amateur highwaymen, overattentive writers, and scorned fiancées. Then again a bumpy road is better than an unhappy destination.

But when it comes to marriage, Belle and Sir Horley are about to discover that it’s not what you do or how you do it but the people who you choose to do it with that matter most.

If you read Something Fabulous, which I highly recommend you do, you first met Arabella Tarleton and now we are finally getting her story! I devoured the first book in the series, did not care for the second but have really high hopes for this one.

Since it involved Arabella I’m not surprised it starts with an abduction and running away from a wedding and I’m sure it will have all the hilarity and ridiculousness that I loved in Something Fabulous. Here’s to hoping its extraordinary this December!

Related: Best Historical Romance Novels