I recently realized how many debut novels I have read so far this year. Debut novels are the first book published by an author and when that first novel is good, you know the following books will be just that good or even better. I am in awe of the talent that published and aspiring authors have – I am not sure I could write more than a couple pages on the same topic anymore – so I am blown away by the talent involved in writing a full length novel.
Let me convince you to read these spicy debut novels I loved this year.
All on the Line by Lo Everett | Pub Date August 22, 2023
I found Lo on Instagram and jumped at the chance to beta read her debut novel. I got to read it before it was fully edited and loved every moment of the book.
The main characters Hendrix and Poppy are neighbors, but they don’t know that. Hendrix is new to Denver, he was just traded to the Denver Bandits and his next door neighbor is messing with his routine with all the noise she makes. Poppy isn’t happy with her current work and is hustling to make her dreams of being an audiobook narrator come true. Hendrix and Poppy are introduced by friends and their chemistry is instant. They navigate their new relationship with his travel schedule as a professional athlete but when he discovers that she’s his neighbor, they have to decide how or if they can move forward.
This book is perfect if you love a baseball romance, meddling grandmas, a female main character not afraid to defend her man, dual POV, spicy moments and a great friend group (so great that I was ready for Cruz and Delilah before Hendrix and Poppy got their happily ever after). This book is book one of hopefully many in the Denver Bandit series and I cannot wait for November.
Cruz and Delilah’s story, All or Nothing, is coming November 11, 2023.
Accidentally in Bloom by Elise Kennedy | Pushlished May 9, 2023
I’ve read Elise’s novellas before, but this is her first full length novel. Rose Parker comes back to her home town to help settle her father’s estate after his sudden passing. She doesn’t expect to be in town long, but when she and her sisters learn that their father was horribly in debt at the time of his death, they have to work together to solve their sudden money crisis. They decide to reopen their family flower shop. Gray Roberts is the local flower farmer and the sisters need his help to restart the flower shop. Unfortunately, Rose and Gray do not get off to the best start and they want nothing more than to ignore the other. But as they are forced to spend more and more time together, it becomes harder and harder to deny the pull they feel toward each other.
Accidentally in Bloom is a perfect book for you if you love enemies to lovers, quirky small towns, a reverse grumpy sunshine (Rose is the grump), dual POV, and some serious spice.
Elise is planning to release stories for Rose’s sisters, but those are without publication dates or titles at this time.
That First Night by Jenn McMahon | Pushlished April 18, 2023
Was I 100% influenced to read this book based of it’s beautiful cover? Sure was, and I am glad I did. Thomas and Peyton meet at a gala and before these two can really connect, the fire alarm goes off in the venue and these two are separated. They never reconnect that night. Fast forward 5 years, Peyton is living in the city and is in need of a job. She meets up with a woman looking for a nanny for her bother’s son. Peyton falls for the sweet little boy instantly and accepts the job. Only then does she realize that Thomas is the boy’s father. Peyton moves into their penthouse to help take care of the boy and avoid his father at all costs. Peyton is done with romantic relationships and she refuses to lose her job because she gives into the temptation of her new boss. But these two simply cannot keep the distance between them forever and all that tension leads to a life changing kiss.
This book is perfect if you like a nanny/boss romance, a billionaire, single dad, some seriously spicy moments and moments that will make you laugh. This book also sets up the story of Peyton’s best friend and Thomas’ brother and I cannot wait to see how those two connect.
That First Date, Avery and Marc’s story, is coming August 22, 2023.
The Soulmate Theory by Sarah A Bailey | Pub Date June 20, 2023
Another book I was influenced by Instagram to read before its publication date and it did not disappoint. Penelope was adopted by a family friend of Carter’s and these two have adored each other from the day they met. But before they go their separate ways after high school, they share a kiss in Carter’s family pantry. Without time to really talk about what the kiss means to them both, Penelope leaves for Oxford and doesn’t see Carter for 5 years. But they are thrust back into each other’s lives when they both come home, both at a crossroad in their life when they both take teaching jobs at their old school. Their history and chemistry is too hard to ignore and they begin seeing each other. But Penelope has been keeping secrets from everyone about the real reason she is home from Oxford and has to come to terms with her past so she can move forward with Carter.
I loved each of their perspectives about what a soulmate is, how you know you have found yours and if the other is their soulmate. They each develop a ‘soulmate theory’ to best explain how they feel about each other.
If you love a spicy, friends to lovers romance, a great friend group, a supportive family, some mental health topics, this book is for you. There are some darker topics that happen off page that the author has listed on her Instagram page, so be sure to read those before you start.
Dominic and Macie’s story, The Fate Philosophy, is coming November 1, 2023.
I love debut novels because when they are good, you know you’ve found an author you can read for years to come. Have you ever read a debut novel?
