This feature essentially looks at titles that are being released in eBook format without an accompanying hardback or paperback. Sometimes it’s a release ahead of those formats, sometimes it’s a release after and sometimes it’s only being released in eBook format. At the minute I have one reliable (free) source (not Amazon, which doesn’t work for this). So lets give it a go and see whether this idea has legs!
Just a reminder as I don’t see any advance copies, my choices are based on the cover, blurb, gut instinct and what takes my fancy at the time. Essentially that’s how I decide on my own purchases.
(NB This post features Affiliate links from which I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases)
Saint of the Narrow Street by William Boyle
Gravesend, Brooklyn, 1986: Risa Franzone lives in a ground-floor apartment on Saint of the Narrows Street with her bad-seed husband, Saverio, and their eight-month-old baby, Fabrizio. Risa is a loving mother, a faithful wife, a saintly neighbour – but lately, her husband’s slow dive into criminality and abuse has threatened her peace, raising concerns about her and her baby’s safety.
On the night her younger sister, Giulia, moves in with Risa to recover from a bad break-up, a fateful accident occurs: Risa, boiled over with anger and fear, strikes a drunk, erratic Sav with a cast-iron pan, killing him on the spot.
The sisters are left with a choice: notify the authorities and make a case for selfdefense, or bury the man’s body and go on with their lives as best they can. In a moment of panic, in the late hours of the night, they call upon Sav’s childhood friend—the sweet, loyal Christopher “Chooch” Gardini—to help them, hoping they can trust him to carry a secret like this.
Over the vast, dramatic expanse of the next eighteen years, life goes on in the working-class Italian neighbourhood of Gravesend as Risa, Giulia, and Chooch grapple with the choice they made that night—and each forge a different path when the cracks of a supposedly seamless cover-up begin to reveal themselves.
Silent as the Grave by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles
With a newborn and two children, Molly Murphy Sullivan is tackling motherhood. Her husband, Daniel, is off to work in Washington as Easter break begins in New York. Her dear friend and writer, Ryan O’Hara, is shooting a movie, one of the first to involve a real plot and actors. He invites Molly and the children to visit the set and watch the excitement. When one of the actresses is fired, Molly’s adopted daughter, Bridie, is called to replace her in the scene. Turns out she’s a natural and is asked to star in the rest of the film. Molly is skeptical about leaving Bridie alone on set, but her great friends, Sid and Gus, offer to chaperone her.
The movie industry is still experimenting with ways to get the best shot, like pretending to tie Bridie to real train tracks. But soon, their special effects start to malfunction. After a few mishaps where no one is hurt, the special effects turn deadly. With rumors of a feud between studios, Molly believes these malfunctions are sabotage. She is invited to go undercover on set to investigate the burgeoning film war. Once again, Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles deliver an engaging mystery full of vibrant historical details and thrilling escapades featuring one of mystery’s most beloved sleuths.
A Week in Midwinter by Emily Harvale
Will Lucy be lucky in love this time?
Lucy is never lucky with love. So she knows that booking a last-minute break in the tiny hamlet of Midwinter isn’t wise. Things aren’t going well with her boyfriend, Ted, and nearby Fairlight Bay is where, ten years ago, she fell in love with Sam.
Lucy tries not to think of Sam these days – or their ‘holiday fling’ as he called it, breaking her heart with those words. She’s hoping for long romantic walks with Ted, and cosy evenings by the fire. But Ted has other plans, and Lucy’s facing a lonely week in the cottage on Midwinter Lane.
Until she bumps into Sam. His dazzling smile and the undeniable chemistry between them soon have Lucy thinking things she shouldn’t. Is this a second chance with Sam? Or will it be just another holiday fling for him?
And when Ted realises he’s made a huge mistake, will Lucy take him back? Or will she risk her heart again with the man who broke it once before? The only man she’s ever truly loved.
The Vikström Papers : Leviathan by Douglas Lindsay
The movies are in town, and nothing is real…
A film crew has settled into Glasgow, Massachusetts, and the town is abuzz with gossip about the cast and crew. Nevertheless, there seems to be little afoot until Sam Vikström is asked to take up the case of a missing storyboard artist.
A junior member of the crew, Norah Wolfe was believed to have left the set of her own volition. Someone, however, is not so sure. Someone doesn’t believe the e-mail she sent resigning her position. Someone thinks sinister forces are at play.
Now Vikström enters the fray, walking into the nest of vipers, in a world where nothing is at it seems, and illusion, drama and fakery lie around every corner…
The Secrets of Second Beach by DD Black
She lived life online, her final post a cry for help. But the mists of Second Beach answered only with silence.
When the body of a beloved social media star washes up on the rocky shores of Second Beach, panic spreads through the surrounding coastal community. What was once a peaceful haven is now shrouded in fear, and the locals demand answers.
But what begins as a tragic mystery quickly spirals into something far more sinister. Beneath the surface of Washington’s sleepy beach towns lies a hidden underworld—a secretive criminal syndicate that has operated in the shadows for years.
Are they involved? Or is something even darker lurking in the mist?
As Detective Thomas Austin uncovers secret after long-buried secret, he discovers a chilling truth that’s been hiding in plain sight for decades. And the deeper Austin digs, the closer he comes to a devastating revelation that could rock the entire Pacific Northwest.
Possession Under the Southern Stars by Serenity Woods
She’s off-limits, but for Hallie, I’ll break every rule…
I’ve spent years building the National Museum of New Zealand into something I can be proud of, but now, it’s all on the line. The museum’s future is in jeopardy after we lost a critical source of funding, and the board has given me one final chance to save it: a priceless collection of historical love letters locked away at a remote estate. The problem? I need a conservationist to handle them, and Hallie Woodford is the only one available.
I’ve had my eye on the brilliant, sexy archaeologist for ages, but she also works for me, and that makes her off-limits. I’ve been reprimanded before by the board for getting involved with an employee, and I don’t want to lose my job. With the museum at risk, I can’t refuse the assignment. But Hallie’s irresistible, and even though giving in to my desire could cost me everything, it’s impossible to keep my distance from her.
As our passion ignites, I become convinced I’ll risk everything to have her. But doubt creeps in when it becomes clear Hallie is concealing a secret—one that could change everything we’ve started to create together. As the truth begins to unravel, I’m left questioning whether love can truly conquer the shadows of the past.
Formula Chance by Sawyer Bennett
Nash Sinclair abandoned the world of formula racing after a deadly crash left him injured and on a long road to recovery, both physically and mentally. Even prior to the crash Nash was healing in another way, putting together the pieces of a broken heart. They say time heals all wounds and when Brienne Norcross, owner of the newly acquired Titans Racing team approaches him about a job, he decides it might just be time to reclaim the life he once loved.
Bexley Toliver just joined the Titans’ team as their chief race strategy engineer. As a woman working in a male-centric sport, Bex is no stranger to a man’s eyes on her. Whether it’s in silent awe, not-so-silent disgust, or somewhere in between, Bexley has earned her way. But there is one set of eyes that Bex hasn’t seen in years and when Nash Sinclair walks into the conference room for a team meeting, old memories are hard to ignore. As the heat between them becomes all-consuming, they are unable to resist the temptation to fall once again.
Bex and Nash’s history is…complicated. Young love that turned into the promise of forever crashed and burned long before the race that ended Nash’s career. Years apart dulled the pain of their failed union but some things aren’t meant to be forgotten, no matter how hard one tries. When the same issues that broke them apart re-emerge and spin them full-speed toward a barricade, Bex and Nash need to make a decision—hit the brakes and walk away or race forward to their happily ever after.
Only Fate by Charity Ferrell
When a guy breaks your heart, he’s not supposed to move to your small town to win it back.
I hoped to never see Adrian Castillo again after he broke my heart.
Years later, he’s made it his mission to keep running into me.
He gets hired at the law firm where I work and steals my promotion.
I quit and start my own firm in my small town.
I didn’t expect him to follow me here.
I definitely didn’t expect him to join a rival town firm.
And now, we have a case against each other.
All the emotions I had for him resurface.
I’m afraid to give him my heart again.
But fate has other plans.
Love You Always by Stacy Travis
Ever heard the one about the rom-com princess who gets swept off her feet by her fake fiancé?
Yeah, that’s not my story.
I’m an actress whose reputation is currently circling the drain, thanks to a string of public relationship disasters. All I want is to adopt a baby and leave my tabloid trainwreck days behind me.
When the adoption agency doubts my ability to provide a stable home life, I agree to a fake engagement with a guy who screamed “PR-approved.”
Easy enough—until Archer Corbett blows it all to pieces.
He’s a broody, hockey-playing winemaker who makes grumbling an art form. He also hates my fake fiancé—pretty sure “douchebag” was in there somewhere—and doesn’t care who knows it. But when Archer rescues me on the side of the road and keeps me safe, I discover there’s more under his scowl than grunts and muscles.
A lot more.
Turns out, Archer has a guarded heart, a fierce loyalty to his family, and a self-sacrificing streak a mile wide. He’s also infuriatingly hot—and impossible to resist. One stolen kiss turns into carwash-steamy nights and a bond I didn’t see coming. But there’s a problem: he doesn’t want kids, and I can’t imagine a life without them.
Our lives don’t fit together. Our dreams are miles apart. But what if Archer’s exactly what I need to rewrite my story? And what if I’m the one to thaw his frozen heart?
If only this were a movie, I might get the happily ever after I’ve always wanted.
If You Give a CEO a Chance by Ann Einerson
I, Fallon Hayes, need to stop playing pranks on my boss. Did I mention he’s my new roommate?
Being the private chef for the retired hockey player who haunts my fantasies is a bad idea. Living down the hall from him is an even worse idea, especially considering the one night stand we had ten years ago.
What happened back then was unforgettable. Proof that we are destined to hate each other.
3 reasons why I absolutely cannot fall for my boss / roommate / one-night-stand:
1. I hate him and haven’t spoken to him in a decade.
2. Poisoning your CEO client is bad for the chef business.
3. Harrison Stafford obviously doesn’t do commitment (unless it’s the demon cat we’ve adopted).
Pranking Harrison is the highlight of my day. Sure, I work for him. But bedazzling his most prized possession is just one of the secret ingredients for my innocent revenge.
One night with him again – and I, Fallon Hayes, know I’m about to get burned.
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
I was never supposed to have a crush on my best friend’s little sister. Morgan is too young. Too innocent. And she’s in far too much danger.
I’ve built a legitimate empire in New York, far from the life of shadows and violence in which I was raised. I’m heir to a dark throne.
When she needs temporary shelter, I allow her to crash at my place. Being this close to her, without touching her, hurts like hell. But I can play the white knight for a few weeks.
I have to stay away from her, even while I keep her safe.
Even if it means not touching her beautiful body.
Even if it means seeing the hurt in her eyes.
Then my former life comes crashing in. She doesn’t know how deep the stakes go—and I can’t afford to let her find out. Protecting her means keeping her close, even if it means risking everything, including my own heart.
Shoot Your Shot by Lexi Lafleur Brown
Jaylen “JJ” Jones’s hockey career is over. After not securing an NHL contract with the Seattle Rainiers, Jaylen decides to bid the city farewell with a final night of fun, blowing off steam with an anonymous one night stand. But when a last-minute roster spot opens up on the Rainiers, he connects his luck to the girl he spent the night with. Superstitious Jaylen is desperate to keep her around—his career depends on it.
Aspiring tattoo artist Lucy Ross isn’t so sure about the proposition to remain Jaylen’s lucky charm—she’s been called a lot of things in her life, but good luck has never been one of them. But stuck in a career slump, Lucy has everything to gain. Hoping for an apprenticeship hasn’t offered much stability, and Jaylen is willing to pay any price to get Lucy to agree…so maybe sending him a routine text message before each game won’t be too hard.
What starts as an agreement to trade favors—a good luck text in exchange for tattooing practice for Lucy’s portfolio—quickly turns into sizzling chemistry that’s too delicious to deny. But Lucy’s been in too many situationships to even think about getting attached again, and Jaylen is clearly only with Lucy as long as it’s helping his gameplay…
Neither of them expecting getting lucky could be so complicated.
Out of Control by Sally Jenkins
Fiona Ormeroyd has always planned her life down to the last detail. But on the day of her retirement, her carefully organised world unravels when her boyfriend, Joe, arrives on her doorstep.
Instead of being there for their weekly rendezvous, Joe announces that his flat is flooded, and he thinks it is the perfect time for them to move in together.
Fiona likes her own space and this certainly wasn’t part of her plan. Then Joe’s daughter turns up eight months pregnant with nowhere to go. Fiona has no choice but to let them both stay.
Suddenly Fiona has a full house and is way out of her comfort zone.
But just as she starts to regain control, an unexpected revelation shakes everything she thought she knew about life and love.
Now Fiona must decide: does she stay in control, or surrender to the chaos of love?
Escape to the Country Garden by Hannah Langdon
A sweet and funny romance that will wrap you up in a big, warm hug!
Frankie Carlisle finds herself back at Feywood – her family’s crumbling manor house – after yet another disastrous break-up. Her sisters Juliet and Martha try to comfort her, but Frankie can’t help but wonder why everything always seems to go wrong in her life…
Then a charming stranger arrives on the grounds, and Frankie’s world is turned upside down once more. Could this unexpected encounter be the key to mending her broken heart and restoring the faded glory of Feywood, or will old wounds sabotage this last chance at happiness?
So that’s all for this week.
Happy Reading!
