March 2025 Lopt & Cropt Releases

This month, we’ve got an angsty Austen variation where Elizabeth's independence is threatened and Darcy can't intervene without questioning that independence, and a second-chance rom-com where the golden retriever hero is desperate to win back the black cat heroine, and a soapy second-chance romantic suspense with lots of intrigue and glamour.

Without Undue Pride by Heather Moll

Elizabeth is a war widow who’s been deeply traumatized by being on campaign with her late husband and has been terribly disappointed by all the men in her life, so much so that she’s never going to let anyone—and especially not any man—have any power over her again. But it’s 1811, and her husband has died without a will, which means she has no money and her unborn baby can be taken away by her husband’s hateful family.

Darcy is the only one willing to help her find her own independence. The problem is he’s also falling in love with her, and Elizabeth MEANS it when she says she’s not going to let any man have any power over her—and that includes marriage. How far will she go to assert her own autonomy and prove that she can cope on her own? Find out on KU today!

Coming Swoon by Sarah Estep

Big black cat x golden retriever vibes here! Peter loves love, and he’s never forgotten his first, Sybil—and has been certain that serendipity will bring them together again. He didn’t expect she would be his best friend’s wife’s best friend, but now that he’s back in her life—and back in her hometown shooting a movie—he’s going to do everything he can to win her back.

Sybil’s heart was broken when she and Peter split, and she doesn’t trust love at all. But Peter is doing all he can to show her that this is real and he’ll never let her go again—if only Sybil would believe it.

This was supposed to be book 2 of the series, but I managed to convince Sarah to make it book 4 because Peter is so freaking charming and an absolute scene-stealer that we had to keep you waiting for him. And he is worth the wait. Coming Swoon is out now on KU!

Lush by Tinia Montford

Laurene left town after her fiancé Conrad's tragic death. She also left because she was having an ill-fated affair with his brother Reese Ashbourne...and maybe there are things about the brother's death they don't want coming to light.

But now Laurene's back in town after six years, and her family is again trying to arrange a marriage with the Ashbournes for both families to maintain their legacies... this time with Reese, who hates her for leaving him.

Laurene's return and arranged marriage coincides with threats against her and Reese about what happened when Conrad died. They'll have to work together to protect themselves--if their chemistry doesn't explode first.

A morally grey heroine, an intense bad boy hero, and TONS of drama in this deliciously soapy romantic suspense. Check out Lush on KU today!

The Gentleman Spy by Georgina North

Beau has been a spy for years, escaping all the expectations heaped on him as a future duke. He's abroad when his father dies and manages big things from away, but Emerald, his father's—now his—ward, has actually taken on the day-to-day operations in his absence. When he finally returns (after an injury), Emerald is pissed that he's swooped in and taken away her work, and that he's still as handsome as he was when she was younger and had a crush on him.

They're clashing all the time about the estate, and Emerald is curious and suspicious about why he keeps running off in the middle of the night. At the same time, they're fighting their attraction to each other. But will Beau's spy past come back to haunt him and threaten Emerald?

This slow-burn, suspenseful historical romance is swoony and delightful, and it's available on KU now!

Hold Fast by Eliza MacArthur

It’s release day for Eliza MacArthur’s Hold Fast, and can we have some commotion for the old-schoolness of this cover??

Una has just ended a handfast marriage with a terrible man she is desperate to be free of. A gifted healer, she takes off to the neighbouring/rival clan when she saves the laird’s brother and finds safety and purpose there. After suffering a year of abuse in her marriage (check the CWs!), she wants nothing to do with men.

Meanwhile, the laird, Ewan, is deeply impressed with Una’s competence and her determination. He’s got his own issues, though, and has promised himself to never marry.

As much as both of them are scarred from their pasts, they’re still drawn to each other, and when they’re forced to handfast each other, they have to work through their trauma together and separately so they can stand against an old foe. But that trauma isn’t quickly healed by love or sex—so how much will their trauma get in their way and potentially tear them apart?

If you love old-school historical Highlander romance but want a more modern sensibility behind it, you HAVE to check this out! Hold Fast is on KU and Amazon now!