Hi Reader,

Welcome back!

It's warming up, school is out and it's well and truly holiday season. So, whether you're planning on lazing by the pool, soaking up the sun or just unplugging, we're bringing you 6 books with the perfect summer vibes. Plus we have a full review of Books, Iced Coffee and a Side of Dragons and 15 incredible queer books releasing in August.

Whether you're looking for a cozy fantasy, want to dive into a horror or queer detective novel, there's plenty of upcoming releases to sate your hunger!

Enjoy,

Amy | @proseamongstthorns

Speed Review

The Pairing In this romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other – except they're definitely not. You don't get more summery than a trip across Europe filled with food, wine and lots of loving. Grab a copy Get the audio

More Like Enemigas Isabella would do anything to keep her father’s legacy alive, including attending her estranged cousin’s weeklong wedding extravaganza. Once Sofia’s wealthy fiancé tastes the recipes Isa prepares from her father’s cherished journal, he’s sure to invest. A week-long wedding at a summer camp, sharing a cabin with her rival - what could go wrong? This is fun ride of a romcom! Grab a copy Get the audio

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe The day Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison opened the Whistle Stop Cafe, the town took a turn for the better. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is a mouth-watering tale of love, laughter and mystery. It will lift your spirits and has just the right amount of nostalgia. Grab a copy Get the audio

Hot Dog Girl A hilarious contemporary YA rom-com about teens working as costumed characters in a local amusement park. Starring a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love - and themselves - over one chaotic summer. It's the perfect, light-hearted read to get lost in with immaculate summer vibes. Grab a copy Get the audio

As Far As You'll Take Me Marty's made new friends, he's getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he's even traveling around Europe. But he's tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse. Another queer travelling through Europe book that's the perfect companion for a sunny day. Grab a copy Get the audio

The Open Era A pro tennis player navigates the pressures of being the first openly gay man at a Grand Slam in this sport romance. Between media pressure and something developing with his rival, something has to give. Set during the US Open, this whirlwind sports romance is ideal for a summer read. Grab a copy Get the audio

Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons by Amanda Lovelace - Feature review

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A struggling bookstore, the barista nextdoor, a budding romance and mischevious dragons - what could possibly go wrong? More importantly, what more could you want from a book?!

Lucinda owns Little Lighthouse Books, an adorable bookstore tucked inside a defunct lighthouse in Sea Witch Cove. She has two problems:

1) She has feelings for Aster, the trans woman running the coffee shop next door.

2) She's struggling to keep her business afloat.

But with a little luck - and the help of a tiny, curious wind dragon named Dandelion, - this just might be the summer Luci and Aster finally find love.

This graphic novel is just absolute perfection. The romance and relationships take centre stage here, but the plot around financially uncertainty and community coming together to support indie businesses is just as gripping.

As if you couldn't love this more, it has brilliant plus size and PCOS rep. It felt really special to see those identities represented so beautifully and with such care. This is one of those books that feels like a warm hug.

As beautiful as the story line and relationships are, it's the art that truly made this book standout. It is just gorgeous - every page is worth of being framed! It matches the vibe of the story so well and really does elevate that. I'm so glad they decided to go with a graphic novel rather than traditional novel, I think it works so so well.

This is the perfect cozy summer romance, the type of book you can finish in one sitting - just don't blame me if it makes you want to run away and open a bookshop....

If you're a fan of Heartstopper, The Tea Dragon Society and Legends and Lattes, then this graphic novel should be on your radar. It's cute, heartwarming and just fun. You have a wonderful diverse cast of characters, the most beatiful illustrations and dragons and you can get your hands on it from 25th August.

Upcoming Releases

4th August A sweeping family saga about self-discovery, love, art and motherhood, inspired by the author's Creole roots. ​ Get a copy

4th August A chess grandmaster competes in a high-stakes tournament in the Otherworld to save her sister. Get a copy Get the audio

24th August A witty, gripping love traingle that unfolds over the course of seven chaotic days at a Cape Cod wedding. Get a copy Get the audio

A Trade of Blood - Robert Jackson Bennett 4th August Eccentric yet brilliant detective Ana Dolabra must prove a man's innocence to stop a civil war in the third book of the series that began with the award-winning The Tainted Cup. ​​

Bridget and Gabe Are Not Okay - Lex Croucher 13th August They fell in love, won the battle and expected a Happily Ever After. But, Camelot's famous couples have fallen apart in this sequel to Gwen and Art Are Not in Love. ​​

11th August All Poppy has to do is retrieve Eddie's body from the medical examiner's office, but what starts as a routine delivery quickly goes off course when Eddie wakes up. ​ Get a copy Get the audio

18th August The Salt King is a gorgeous and creepy fusion of folk horror with biblical lore. Avelyn Brocken is a Jesuit at the Vatican, sent back to his hometown to investigate possible miracles. Get a copy Get the audio

18th August A magical witness protection program, a town in need of saving, and a sorceress-in-training. The Blue Moon Café has a little bit of everything (except, you know, decent coffee). Get a copy Get the audio

- Julian Winters 4th August You've Reached Sam meets Hadestown in this enchanting, intoxicating romance across the mortal world and the underworld. ​​

Champion of the Rose - Cate Aquino 13th August In the arena, where life is cheap and spectacle is everything, Rey must decide what kind of game he’s willing to play. ​

18th August In this cozy queer romantic fantasy, two members of a motley adventuring crew must confront monsters, hostile landscapes - and a growing attraction neither of them expected. Get a copy Get the audio

27th August A dark academia novel about doomed theatre performers whose fates are tragically linked by a cuiurse dating back to the New England vampire panic. ​ Get a copy Get the audio

11th August Two high school rivals begrudgingly reunite as adults to investigate the disappearance of their beloved former teacher, only to end up travelling through a series of alternate realities together. Get a copy Get the audio

Death Card - Jasmine Smith 11th August A dark fantasy featuring witchcraft, tarot and a sprinkling of magic. A death vision and witches robbed of their magic - the next Witch Queen has some work to do. ​

Our Crimson Cage - Ladz 11th August A new, blood-soaked tale of vampires and selfish desire, in this folk horror retelling of Carmilla, taking place in 19th Century Poland. ​

Marginal notes

​The Salt King by Natasha Pulley is my most anticipated release this month, I'm going to try to get to one of her launch events if I can! And I was lucky enough to recieve an ARC of She Haunts Me Still and let me tell you - it truly is wonderful!

If you've been inspired to pick any of these books up (either from the library, via our links or even just from your shelf), I'd love to know which books and what you thought of them. You can either respond to this email or let us know on our socials.

If there's someone in your life who you think would love this newsletter, feel free to forward them this email or share the link below with them so they can join the community.

We'll see you in two weeks with a community spotlight, an author interview and more upcoming August releases.

Thank you!