Our August 2021 Picks

It’s time to take a look at the new and upcoming releases the Gals think are going to be the best of the crop of new romance audiobooks. With so many new releases every week, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of them – and we hope that our selections will help you to find some new favourite listens.

Just a reminder – the Gals are taking a late-August break this year, and won’t be posting any new reviews or Currently Playing for a couple of weeks, but fear not! We’ll be back, recharged and raring to go (well, that’s the plan!) in September :)

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A Hero’s Christmas Hope by Vivian Arend

Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov

I always enjoy visiting Heart’s Falls and the world Vivian Arend has created there and with Tatiana Sokolov narrating, it’s sure to please. – Kaetrin

 

Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown

Narrated by Jason Culp

A new book by Sandra Brown is always a reason for celebration, but Blind Tiger is especially momentous because it’s the first historical novel the author has written in years. It’s set in Prohibition-era Texas, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Jason Culp is a narrator I’ve enjoyed in the past, so I think we’re all in for a treat. – Shannon

I second Shannon’s comments, every year I look forward to Sandra Brown’s new release, and with a historical title due out this year, I will definitely be looking to listen to it soon! – BJ

 

The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan

Narrated by Teddy Hamilton & Maxine Mitchell

A classic college sports romance is finally releasing on audio this August, and I can’t wait to listen to it! – BJ

I can’t believe this wasn’t available on audio before! Teddy as Drew Baylor?? Need I say more? – Kaetrin

 

Last Strand by Jennifer Estep

Narrated by Lauren Fortgang

I’m not quite completely caught up, but the release of Book 19 of this fabulous UF/PNR series, reminds me it’s time to begin listening again!  – BJ

 

Dangerous Ground by Rachel Grant

Narrated by Eva Kaminsky, A.T. Chandler and Michele Yatchmeneff

I’m a big fan of Rachel Grant’s particular brand of high-octane romantic suspense, but this, the first book in her series featuring archaeologist Fiona Carver, is something a bit different, in that the romance is going to be spread over several books. This promises to be a great start though, as we meet our heroine as she returns to the site of an important discovery on a remote Alaskan island, while our hero is searching for his missing brother – Caz

A new series by Rachel Grant? I’m in. – Kaetrin

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

Narrated by Natalie Naudus

I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series and I’m sure this one will be no different. – Kaetrin

I’ve been looking forward to The Heart Principle since I first saw the blurb well over a year ago. It’s rumored to be a bit more women’s fiction than romance, but I totally don’t mind. I loved Hoang’s first two books, and I’m eager to see what she has in store for these particular characters. – Shannon

Drawing Lines by Jeris Jean

Narrated by Iggy Toma

This second book in the author’s Hollywood Hopefuls series is, according to the blurb a “nerd/jock opposites-attract romance”. Combine that with the words “Iggy” and  “Toma” and I’m sold! – Caz

Funny Business by Kayley Loring

Narrated by Teddy Hamilton, Emma Wilder, Zachary Webber, Jason Clarke, Mackenzie Cartwright & Connor Crais

The all-star cast caught my eye when I was browsing on Audible and I thought I’d take a chance on a new-to-me author. – Kaetrin

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Narrated by Mary Jane Wells

I’ve enjoyed MacLean’s HR titles in the past, and with the amazing voice of Mary Jane Wells narrating, I plan to listen to Bombshell. – BJ

 

Dear Roomie by Kate Meader

Narrated by Ramona Master

This looks like it’s Kaetrin catnip – grumpy one vs sunshiney one. I love it.  –  Kaetrin

 

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Narrated by Jen Ponton

I’m always on the lookout for a modern re-imagining of Cinderella, and If the Shoe Fits looks right up my alley. It’s centered around a plus-size heroine on a reality TV show, one of my favorite set-ups. Jen Ponton isn’t a narrator I’ve listened to before, but I’m hoping she does the book justice. – Shannon

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Narrated by Billie Fulford Brown

Two rival judges on a Bake-off type of show end up competing for the contract to make the cake for a royal wedding. It’s Lucy Parker and I don’t need to know any more than that! – Caz

I had the pleasure of reading his one early. It’s fantastic. Highly recommend. I’m sure the audio will be great as well. – Kaetrin

Role Model by Rachel Reid

Narrated by Cooper North

This is easily one of the best books in the Game Changers series. It’s a grumpy/sunshine romance/redemption story featuring one of the series’ secondary characters we’ve so far loved to hate, and with Cooper North back in the narrator’s chair, I can’t wait to experience it all over again! – Caz

Did someone say grumpy/sunshine?? [insert meerkat gif here] – Kaetrin

 

Say Goodbye by Karen Rose

Narrated by Joel Froomkin

Karen Rose is wrapping up her Sacramento series, and I’m super excited to see how things turn out. Plus, Tom is finally getting his own book, something I’ve been hoping for since I started reading Karen Rose’s work about fifteen years ago. Joel Froomkin did a fabulous job narrating the previous books in this series, so I’m pleased to see him at the helm here. – Shannon

Eternal Knight by Victoria Sue

Narrated by Greg Boudreaux

I recently got sucked into this series in which a small group of Arthur’s knights (made immortal by Merlin) who have settled in contemporary New York continue to battle the forces of evil that have shadowed the world for fifteen hundred years. It’s a series that needs to be listened to in order and this is the fourth and final book, so I’ll be jumping in as soon as it’s released. Do I need to say that Greg Boudreaux’s narration is simply awesome? Thought not. – Caz

Catching Fire by Lili Valente

Narrated by Teddy Hamilton & Lili Valente

Another Teddy listen with hero-in-pursuit storyline which sounds right up my alley. – Kaetrin

 

 

Holiday Rescue by Rebecca Zanetti

Narrated by Stella Bloom

I love a good rescue story and there’s a dog! – Kaetrin