It’s that time of the month when the Gals scour the new release lists to come up with our monthly Picks – the new and upcoming audiobook releases we’re most looking forward to listening to over the next few weeks. As usual, it’s not an exhaustive list – just the titles that have caught our eye and interest, and that we hope maybe you will enjoy, too!
The Christmas Leap by Keira Andrews
Narrated by Greg Boudreaux
The Christmas Leap is a standalone bi-awakening, friends-to-lovers romance set in the same universe as The Christmas Deal (which I reviewed HERE) I’ve enjoyed a number of books by Keira Andrews, so I’m looking forward to listening to this one. Plus – Greg Boudreaux. Win! – Caz
This one caught my eye at Audible. I haven’t actually read or listened to a Keira Andrews book before but the narrator is certainly a big draw! – Kaetrin
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of this one. OMG IT IS SO GOOOOOD!!! – Kaetrin
Evildoer by Dannika Dark
Narrated by Nicole Poole
Ever since the Seven Series I have been a devoted fan of the Danika Dark and Nicole Poole PNR/UF collaboration – BJ
The Gentleman’s Book of Vices by Jess Everlee
Narrated by Tommy Hawthorne
The Gentleman’s Book of Vices is a Victorian-set romance between a very popular – and very anonymous – writer of erotica and the super-fan who tracks him down. I read an ARC and really enjoyed it, but I’m holding off deciding whether to listen or not until I can hear a sample of the narration. – Caz
I can’t find a sample of the narrator but I have heard very good things about this book. – Kaetrin
Learning Curve by Kaje Harper
Narrated by J.F. Harding
Kaje Harper’s Life Lessons series has become one of my all-time favourites; a wonderful combination of mystery and romance in which two very different men – one a (previously) closeted detective, the other an out-and-proud teacher – have fallen in love and begun to make a life together, weathering all the storms and pitfalls that entails. Learning Curve is the final book in the series, and although I’m eager to listen, I’ll be sad to say goodbye to Tony and Mac. J.F. Harding has delivered some absolutely outstanding performances so far in these books, and I’m sure he’ll be bringing his A-game to this one, too. – Caz
Death and the Devil series by LJ Hayward
Narrated by Rowan Scott
I was OVERJOYED when I learned that this fantastic series is FINALLY going to be completed in audio! I originally reviewed book one, Where Death Meets the Devil back in 2019 and loved both story and narration; it’s a high-octane, action-packed series featuring a former SAS operative and the world’s deadliest assassin. Their opposites- attract romance is brilliantly done, and the storytelling, in the first book especially, is extremely innovative. The entire series comprises three full length novels and four or five novellas, and unlike many series, you really can’t skip the novellas, because they contain a lot of important character/relationship development. I am so STOKED (hence the ALLCAPS!) for the rest of the series – there are several releases scheduled for late November and December, and the final book will be out in January 2023. Can’t wait! – Caz
A Very Merry Krewmas by Nicky James
Narrated by Adam Gold
This novella in the Trials of Fear series promises all sorts of shenanigans, including unicorn horns, magnum-sized condoms, ugly sweaters, a baby Jesus (who probably should not have been invited), snow diving, and much, much more. It’s probably best listened to once you’ve listened to the rest of the series – but it certainly sounds like fun! – Caz
Undone by Leslie McAdam
Narrated by Iggy Toma & Tim Paige
The Vino and Veritas series has been a bit of a mixed bag story-wise, but it’s had some really excellent narrators. Undone is no exception so I’m going to give it a go – Caz
I haven’t read any books by this author before but she has excellent narrators for this one and the blurb intrigued. – Kaetrin
The Happy List by Briar Prescott
Narrated by Kirt Graves & Joel Leslie
I read this one earlier this year and really enjoyed it – it’s a friends-to-lovers grumpy/sunshine romance I described as a bundle of sexy, light-hearted fun. With two such excellent narrators on board, I’m looking forward to experiencing the story all over again. – Caz
Friends to lovers is a favourite trope and the narrators are great so this one is ticking a lot of boxes for me. – Kaetrin
Just What I Needed by Kylie Scott
Narrated by Andi Arndt
Novellas are not usually my thing, but I’m making an exception this November for Just What I Needed, especially as it’s narrated by one my favorite contemporary romance narrators! – BJ
I love a good novella and I have a very soft spot for anything Stage Dive. This one looks fun. Plus there’s sure to be at least a cameo from Mal, right? – Kaetrin
Running Wild by K.A. Tucker
Narrated by Callie Dalton
I’m a huge fan of KA Tucker’s angst-filled romances, and have enjoyed the other books in the Simple Wild, Alaska- based romance series so I’m looking forward to this November release. – BJ
Ex Appeal by Cathy Yardley
Narrated by Jenapher Zheng & David Lee Huynh
I enjoyed reading Gouda Friends earlier this year. I thought I’d try this next book on audio instead. – Kaetrin
Other New and Upcoming Releases
Note: All links are correct at time of posting.
I’ve already got The Christmas Leap in the wings. The narrator and the fact that I’ve enjoyed Keira Andrews before made me willing to buy it before reading any reviews.
I’ve been checking for Learning curve ever couple of days for a month! I still can’t find a release date for the audio. Do you have one, Caz?
I enjoyed Winter’s Orbit enough to give Ocean’s Echo a try. I do love sc-fi romance! There are several others listed here that I’m interested in, so it should be a good month! (It’s weird that there is no sound clip for Tommy Hawthorne even though the book is up for presale.) Thank you all!
I’m listening to the Andrews now. It will shock you mightily, but… one of the leads is a Scot and GB’s accent isn’t great and keeps pulling me out of the story.
Kaje Harper told me last week that Learning Curve has been with Audible for 2 weeks (their turnaround now is supposed to be 10 days) so I’m checking daily, too!
Samples don’t usually go up (at Audible) until the release date, even when the book is up for pre-order – I admit I didn’t realise that until a few years ago!
I night need to wait a bit to listen to The Christmas Leap since I’m right now finishing up book three in the Enlightenment series, and Hamish McKinlay’s narration is so amazing. The side-by-side comparison might not be good, as much as I love Boudreaux.
I’ll keep on checking for Learning Curve. Like you I’m both excited and sad about the final book. And JF Harding has been amazing on this series.
I didn’t know that about the samples. Hmm. Good to know.
Yes, the accent difference will be very pronounced :( The reviews I’ve seen so far all go on about how great it is but they’re all on Audible.com so… yeah. There’s a running thing in the story where Will (the Scot) thinks he’s mostly lost his accent and Michael thinks he sounds “like he’s just stepped off the set of Outlander” . Sadly, he doesn’t. I don’t know if GB was aiming for a slight accent to reflect Will’s view, but unfortunately it just sounds odd. I’ve sort of got used to it but every do often there’s a pronunciation that makes me wince. I’m enjoying the story though, and all the other Boudreaux ‘magic’ is there… I’m just having to work to get past the accent.