We're so excited to be talking about some of the bright new voices in romance this week -- every book we talk about in this episode is a debut romance from 2024. We're introducing you to eighteen new authors, all of whom you'll be able to meet years from now and say, "I've been reading you from the beginning!"

From chefs to film directors, baseball players to librarians, spies to playwrights, there's a little something here for everyone. You're going to love it.

Guess what? There's a debut romance in the Fated Mates Best of 2024 Book Pack from our friends at Pocket Books Shop in Lancaster, PA! There's still time to order...and get a box of our favorite books of the year and support booksellers at a fantastic indie bookstore all at the same time!

If you want to talk romance more ofte, maybe you want to join our Patreon? You get an extra monthly episode from us and access to the incredible readers and brilliant people on the Fated Mates Discord! Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon.

Our next read along is Judith Ivory's The Proposition, a terrific Pygmalion retelling and one of Sarah's favorites. Find it at your local independent bookseller, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or Amazon.

The Books

• The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman
• Unsteady by Peyton Corinne
• The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
• The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
• Sunshine and Spice by Aurora Palit
• But How Are You, Really? By Ella Dawson
• When I Think of You by Myah Ariel 
• Showmance by Chad Beguelin
• The Lovers by Rebecca Faubion
• Say You’ll be Mine by Naina Kumar
• The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain
• The Spy and I by Tiana Smith
• Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore
• How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
• Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia
• Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal
• I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram
• Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

The Notes

• It’s not too late to buy the Fated Mates best of 2024 box available from Pocket Books Shop in Lancaster, PA. 
• Jen realized a lifelong nerdy dream by being on Chicago public radio. The show is called Reset, and she was talking about romance with Sonali Dev and Bryn Donovan.
• Jackwagon, defined. 
• Take a look at the feelings wheel.
• The Prom, a broadway show. 
• Sneakers, a movie.
• You can shop this week's books on bookshop.org and choose which local indie you want to support.

The Sponsors

• Book of the Month, bringing the best new fiction to your door. Go to bookofthemonth.com to pick a book and join. For a limited time, you can get your first book for just $5 with code TINSEL! Remember to tell them Fated Mates sent you!
• Pippa Grant, author of The Worst Wedding Date, available in ebook or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
• Lydia Lloyd, author of When the Viscount Wanted Me, available in print, ebook or audiobook, at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books.