Our July 2021 Picks

The Gals are here with our regular monthly look at the new and upcoming audiobooks we’re looking forward to listening to over the coming weeks. As usual, we’ve chosen a mix of genres, authors and narrators, some familar, some not, and hope that maybe you’ll find something here to pique your interest. If you think we’re missing out on something good, please drop by and tell us in the comments what you’re most looking forward to listening to this month.

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Isn’t it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

Narrated by Andrew Eiden

The stories in this series have been in the low/mid B range for me, but the narration has been excellent (no surprises there), so I’m going to take a punt on this latest instalment – in which “The Russian” gets his HEA! – Caz

 

Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

Narrated by Kirt Graves and Joel Froomkin

I read an advance copy of this one and enjoyed it. It’s the follow-up to last year’s Conventionally Yours featuring a group of friends who are also dedicated gamers. This one is a former-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance about two young men who are trying to work out who they are and where they belong. With two such experienced narrators at the helm, it’s bound to be a good listen. – Caz

I’m looking forward to this one on audio too for exactly the same reasons as Caz. – Kaetrin

Arctic Fire by Keira Andrews

Narrated by Joel Leslie

I’m a fan of Keira Andrews and am always up for picking up her stuff in audio, especially when it has a great narrator.- Caz

This novella length romance has a great narrator and a version of “there’s only one bed” (except it’s a tent) as the trope. How can I resist? – Kaetrin

Misdirection by Gregory Ashe

Narrated by Charlie David 

Book 2 in the Borealis: Without a Compass series sees North and Shaw on the trail of a missing teen in a story that further exposes the cracks in their relationship. Charlie David has a terrific handle on the two leads in this series, and is sure to deliver another strong and emotionally attuned performance.  – Caz

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Narrated by Charlotte North

I’m always looking for opportunities to listen to more Charlotte North narrations and this Tessa Bailey promises a grumpy one + sunshiney one pairing which I just adore. – Kaetrin

 

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

Narrated by Soneela Nankani 

I loved the first two books in Sonali Dev’s Raje series, so I was over the moon to see the final installment was coming out this month. It features the straight-laced and ambitious Yash, who begins dealing with debilitating anxiety while campaigning to be the state’s first Indian governor. I can’t wait to see how Dev handles this sensitive situation. Soneela Nankani is a stellar narrator, so this is a book I’ll definitely be listening to in July. – Shannon

Better at WeddingsThan You by Mina V. Esguerra

Narrated by Rachel Coates & Gio Gahol

I’ve enjoyed books by this author before – in fact I have the ebook version of this one languishing on my TBR.  My TBL is shorter than my TBR so I’m in. – Kaetrin

 

You Spin Me by Karen Grey

Narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Eric Michael Summerer

This is the next book in Karen Grey’s Boston Classics series set in the way, way back 1980s! It’s been a fun ride and I’m looking forward to this third installment in the retro rom-com series. – Melinda

 

The Spark by Vi Keeland

Narrated by Andi Ardnt and Sebastian York

I can always count on an easy contemporary romance comfort listen when Vi Keeland and the expert narrator duo of Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are involved. Therefore I’m looking forward to the release of The Spark this July! — BJ

Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas

Narrated by Mary Jane Wells

A new Ravenels book with Mary Jane Wells narrating! I can’t wait to listen! – BJ

Happy days! A new Kleypas and a favourite narrator! – Kaetrin

 

Nothing But Good by Kess McKinley

Narrated by Kirt Graves

I read and enjoyed this one when it came out a few months ago; it’s a clever, well-paced mystery/procedural with a touch of romance featuring an uptight FBI Agent who unexpectedly reconnects with his former best friend – whom he’s never stopped loving. Kirt Graves is a reliably good narrator and I’m looking forward to listening to him again. – Caz

Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma

Narrated by Mayuri Bhandari and Niel Shah 

I’ve never read or listened to anything by Nisha Sharma before now, but this young adult romance looks utterly delightful. It’s about two teenagers, both of whom love dance, but maybe not as much as they could learn to love one another. Both narrators are unfamiliar to me, but I’m crossing my fingers for a great listening experience. – Shannon

Last Guard by Nalini Singh

I’m not quite as thrilled with the Psy/Changeling Trinity story arc as I was with the original. Even so, Nalini Singh is pretty much an auto-buy author for me since even the books I don’t love turn out to be above average listens. This long-running series doesn’t seem close to running out of steam, so listeners are likely to have quite a bit to look forward to, especially with Angela Dawe as narrator. – Shannon

 

Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent

Narrated by Taylor Meskimen

If you love fairy-tale retellings, Rachel Vincent’s latest release could be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a loose retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story,  featuring a secret group of female guardians who may or may not shift into wolves. I love pretty much anything Vincent writes, so I’m definitely planning to pick this one up, even if narrator Taylor Meskimen isn’t a reader I’ve heard before. – Shannon

Claimed by J.R. Ward

Narrated by Jim Frangione

This new series set in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world sounds very interesting! – BJ

 

 

Aftermath by L.A. Witt

Narrated by Greg Boudreaux and John Solo

Another entry in the Vino and Veritas series, I read this when it came out and really enjoyed it. L.A. Witt is an author who doesn’t shy away from tackling some difficult subjects in her stories, and that’s very true in this story of a young athlete who was seriously injured in an accident and the musician he falls for. Both narrators are very experienced and popular narrators of m/m romance, so I’m anticipating a good listen. – Caz