2020 Releases I Can’t Wait For

Posted October 21, 2019 / Book Lists, Features / 13 Comments

Here to fuck all of your TBRs up again, y’all! Sorry, I am definitely not sorry. We’re all in this together. I recently saw a decent amount of 2020 releases get announced and/or obtain gorgeous covers, so I thought I’d throw some of them your way. I’m only doing January for June because my list got a little out of control.


 We Used To Be Friends Lie to Me A Castle in the Clouds

We Used to be Friends by Amy Spalding | January 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Told in dual timelines—half of the chapters moving forward in time and half moving backward—We Used to Be Friends explores the most traumatic breakup of all: that of childhood besties.

This book will probably be sad and I hope not super confusing – going forward and time for some chapters and going back in time for others sounds right up my alley though! As you’ll probably hear a million times in this post, I love this cover too.

Lie to Me by Kaitlin Ward | January 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Ever since Amelia woke up in the hospital, recovering from a near-death fall she has no memory of, she’s been suspicious. Her friends, family, and doctors insist it was an accident, but Amelia is sure she remembers being pushed. Then another girl is found nearby — one who fell, but didn’t survive.

I’m a sucker for mysterious-accident-related-memory-loss books! I’m intrigued by the boyfriend that the other half of the synopsis mentions. I’m pretty bad about actually reading mystery books after they get put on my TBR so hopefully this post keeps me accountable 😉

Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier | January 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Way up in the Swiss mountains, there’s an old grand hotel steeped in tradition and faded splendor. Once a year, when the famous New Year’s Eve Ball takes place and guests from all over the world arrive, excitement returns to the vast hallways… Sophie, who works at the hotel as an intern, is busy making sure that everything goes according to plan. But unexpected problems keep arising, and some of the guests are not who they pretend to be.

This sounds SO fascinating! I cannot stop thinking about it. It gives me some Hotel Ruby vibes but I have a good feeling this book won’t have the same twist for some reason. A big fancy hotel in the Swiss Alps around NYE, covered in snow and full of interesting guests? YES.

 Mermaid Inn Love Lettering The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid

Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday | January 2020 

Synopsis excerpt: Escape to Matchmaker Bay in this hilarious and heartwarming second chance romance from the USA Today bestselling “master of witty banter.” Eve Abbott has a problem-actually, make that a lot of problems. And they’re all going to get worse the moment her toes hit the sand in Matchmaker Bay. Once a blissful summer escape, now the tiny town just reminds Eve of loss. Inheriting her aunt’s beloved Mermaid Inn is the only reason Eve is coming back.

I still have yet to read Holiday’s original series and I hate myself for it (please do it next year, Lauren) but this one sounds super up my alley, of course! A small town companion series and an inn with the word “mermaid” in it? Sure, sign me up.

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn | January 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Meg Mackworth’s hand-lettering skill has made her famous as the Planner of Park Slope, designing beautiful custom journals for New York City’s elite. She has another skill too: reading signs that other people miss. Like the time she sat across from Reid Sutherland and his gorgeous fiancée, and knew their upcoming marriage was doomed to fail. Weaving a secret word into their wedding program was a little unprofessional, but she was sure no one else would spot it. She hadn’t counted on sharp-eyed, pattern-obsessed Reid…

I’ve been fascinated by hand lettering and calligraphy lately; this seems like such a fun concept for a story! I love the idea of the MC having that particular talent, as well as a skill for “reading signs.”

The Feminist Agenda of Jemina Kincaid by Kate Kattemer | February 2020 

Synopsis excerpt: Filled with Kate Hattemer’s signature banter, this is a fast-paced and thoughtful tale about the nostalgia of senior year, the muddle of modern relationships, and how to fight the patriarchy when you just might be part of the patriarchy yourself.

I love the idea of this one because the whole “white feminism” issue is definitely worth tackling. It sounds like the MC is going to learn that feminism isn’t quite as straightforward as she thinks it is. Can’t wait! Cute cover, too. Kind of reminds me a little bit of a middle grade book though, FWIW.

The Worst Best Man The Honey-Don't List If I Never Met You: A Novel

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa | February 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Critically acclaimed author Mia Sosa delivers a sassy, steamy enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about a woman whose new job requires her to work side-by-side with the best man who ruined her wedding: her ex-fiancé’s infuriating, irritating, annoyingly handsome brother.

YES PLEASE. More enemies-to-lovers. I usually feel a bit odd about books where the character dates one brother and later has some interest in another one, but it is what it is. These things happen… and usually make for interesting stories 😉

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren | March 2020

Synopsis excerpt: While road-tripping with the Tripps up the West Coast, Carey and James vow to work together to keep their bosses’ secrets hidden, and their own jobs secure. But if they stop playing along—and start playing for keeps—they may have the chance to build something beautiful together…

I’m obsessed with this cover because hearts are my FAVORITE. This reminds me a lot of the whole Chip/Joanna Gaines sort of deal (except hopefully those two actually like each other!) and that other married couple with a renovation show that got divorced. Either way, let’s hope Christina Lauren knocks it out of the park.

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane | March 2020

Synopsis excerpt: It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment—and jealousy—of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend…

FAKE DATING! Again, yes please.I’m kind of obsessed with the cover of this book too. I don’t know why every single romance book out there has an illustrated cover these days but I couldn’t be happier about it.

You Deserve Each Other The Perfect Escape (The Perfect Escape, #1) Redemption Prep

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle | April 2020

Synopsis excerpt: For fans of The Hating Game, a debut lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two unhappily engaged people each trying to force the other to end the relationship–and falling back in love in the process… But now that they have nothing to lose, they’re finally being themselves. They’re having so much fun getting on each other’s nerves that it starts to feel like something else entirely.

So I AM excited for this one, but a little nervous. It sounds a bit like the “hate” part in this hate-to-love romance may go too far in spots (this is a common criticism people have now about The Hating Game when they reflect back on it). However, I am a majorrrr sucker for a romance where the couple is already together and trying to fall back in love (or not, in this case, but I’m sure they will! haha).

The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park | April 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Nate and Kate’s worlds collide at their job at a zombie-themed escape room. As sparks fly, fate steps in: a local tech company is hosting a weekend-long survivalist competition with a huge cash prize that could solve all their problems. And thanks to the survival skills they picked up watching hours of zombie movies, the two think they might just have a shot. But the real challenge will be making it through the weekend with their hearts intact…

From what I think I can tell, this is the start of a series based around escape room romances?! I already forgot what the rest of the synopsis says but I know this is some kind of story where the two characters may be competing for a job or something like that…

Redemption Prep by Samuel Miller | April 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Emma’s disappearance ignites an investigation, and Neesha, Aiden, and Evan all want to find her—for different reasons. But they each have their own secrets to hide, and not everyone wants Emma to be found. As the search continues, the students realize that they’re not the only ones trying to hide something. Redemption Prep has secrets, too—secrets bigger than any of the students could have imagined, and Emma could be the key to finding out the truth… if anyone can find her.

I’m always into prep school books, especially creepier ones with some kind of murder mystery to solve! I’ve been loving the Truly Devious books and the first installment of The Similars series. This one appears to be about a missing girl, not necessarily murder, but I’m pumped.

Clique Bait Four Days of You and Me My Calamity Jane (The Lady Janies, #3)

Clique Bait by Ann Valett | April 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Chloe Whittaker is out for revenge. Last year her best friend Monica’s life was unceremoniously ruined by the most popular students at their high school, so this year Chloe plans to take each and every one of them down. She traded her jeans and T-shirts for the latest designer clothes, deleted everything on social media that would tie her to Monica (and blow her cover), and carefully devised a way to befriend the members of the popular clique.

While I typically don’t read Wattpat-ish books, this one sounds interesting. I love books about mean girls or infiltrating that kind of group, like this synopsis suggest, so I’ll probably give it a shot. Also, great cover!

Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally | May 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Every May 7, the students at Coffee County High School take a class trip. And every year, Lulu’s relationship with Alex Rouvelis gets a little more complicated. Freshman year, they went from sworn enemies to more than friends after a close encounter in an escape room. It’s been hard for Lulu to quit Alex ever since.

I loooooved Kenneally’s Hundred Oaks series so I knew I’d immediately read her next release, or her first release outside of that world. And this one sounds amazingly perfect for me. The two characters have some kind of relationship that gets refreshed or reexamined every year on the same date. The cover is gorgeous too, of course.

My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand/Brodi Ashton/Jodi Meadows | May 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Welcome ​to 1876 and a rootin’-tootin’ America bursting with gunslingers, outlaws, and garou… After a garou hunt goes south and Jane finds a suspicious-like bite on her arm, she turns tail for Deadwood, where there’s been talk of a garou cure. But things ain’t always what they seem—meaning the gang better hightail it after her before they’re a day late and a Jane short.

I loooove this series. I have to admit that my overarching love for their writing style and the concept of the companion series overshadows the fact that I actually didn’t love the second book, but I DID adore the first one. I have high hopes for this one; good lord do I miss their writing style and humor!

Chasing Lucky The Summer of Impossibilities The Mall

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett | May 2020 

Synopsis excerpt: Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent most of her life with her single mother, moving from city to city, unable to call any place home. When they return to her mother’s historical New England hometown to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever, so there’s no reason to change her MO—keeping to herself, dreaming of the day she can leave.

I told myself not to include any books from super obvious favorite authors on here, but I couldn’t help this one. I mean… they move to New England to run a bookstore? This is such a Lauren book and that goes well beyond the fact that Jenn Bennett wrote it!

The Summer of Impossibilities by Rachael Allen | May 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Skyler, Ellie, Scarlett and Amelia Grace are forced to spend the summer at the lake house where their moms became best friends. One can’t wait. One would rather gnaw off her own arm than hang out with a bunch of strangers just so their moms can drink too much wine and sing Journey two o’clock in the morning. Two are sisters. Three are currently feuding with their mothers.

I’ve enjoyed Rachael Allen’s books so far and this one sounds perfect for me. These girls are forced together for the summer because their moms are best friends, and it seems like a lot of things happen to bring them closer together (or maybe even further apart).

The Mall by Megan McCafferty | June 2020 

Synopsis excerpt: The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after.

Alright, how could I not include this? The Jessica Darling series was a quick, intriguing read for me a few years ago, so I knew McCafferty’s next book would be on my list. This is set in 1991 (the year I was born) so I know it’ll be slightly out of reach, but close enough.

The Boyfriend Project The Falling in Love Montage You Say It First

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon | June 2020 

Synopsis excerpt: USA Today bestselling author Farrah Rochon launches a new series about three young women who become friends when the live Tweeting of a disastrous date leads them to discover they’ve all been duped by the same man.

The premise for this book sounds so good, but it’s the series I’m even more excited for! It reminds me of the Central Park Pact books, where the main characters are all dating or married to the same guy, and discover each others’ existence at the funeral. Anyways, this series is about three women who become friends via live tweeting and realizing the same dickhead has duped them all.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth | June 2020

Synopsis excerpt: Unbothered by Saoirse’s no-relationships rulebook, Ruby proposes a loophole: They don’t need true love to have one summer of fun, complete with every cliché, rom-com montage-worthy date they can dream up—and a binding agreement to end their romance come fall. It would be the perfect plan, if they weren’t forgetting one thing about the Falling in Love Montage: when it’s over, the characters actually fall in love… for real.

This sounds so goddamn cute, I’m featuring it again on my blog within the same week. The two girls plan cheesy rom-com dates and inevitably fall for each other despite one of them resisting romance. The title is so good and really paints a picture of the story.

You Say It First by Katie Cotugno | June 2020

Synopsis excerpt: That night on the phone winds up being the first in a series of candid, sometimes heated, always surprising conversations that lead to a long-distance friendship and then—slowly—to something more. Across state lines and phone lines, Meg and Colby form a once-in-a-lifetime connection. But in the end, are they just too different to make it work?

Katie Cotugno does such a wonderful job of writing unique romances with tougher themes (not sure that’s the best way to describe it, but you get it). I’m fascinated by this long-distance, phone call-based relationship! And, like all the rest of these covers, this one is amazing.

13 responses to “2020 Releases I Can’t Wait For

  1. This is a fantastic list. I didn’t know about a huge chunk of these so thanks for bringing them to my attention. I’ll be adding to my 2020 wish list today! Thanks for the post, Lauren!

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