You want some romance? Here's some romance (books)
Recently a friend of mine asked for romance reading recommendations.
Thrilled to be asked I immediately started a list in my head and thought, what the hell, why not just write it down so all of y’all can see it, and I can add to it later too.
She asked for things that are well written, with plot and characters that are meaningful, engaging, plus good banter and steam of any level.
Let’s dive in.
Christina Lauren - This writing duo does some great and spicy things. I haven’t read all of their work, but can highly recommend the following as some incredibly compelling, entertaining, and delightful reading romps: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, and My Favorite Half-Night Stand.
Talia Hibbert - I recently went through her new series following 3 sisters, each with their own book, and loved seeing representations of actual human style bodies, a variety of careers and relationship dynamics, healthy coping mechanisms displayed in those relationships, and growth in these characters. Also, they made me laugh aloud several times and were quite entertaining. You do not need to read them in order: Get a Life, Chloe Brown, Take a Hint, Dani Brown, and Act Your Age, Eve Brown.
Beach Read, by Emily Henry - I loved this one. I haven’t read her new book, People We Meet on Vacation, but have heard it’s also really amazing. Beach Read is about two writers, has great plot twists, and manages to pull off both a second chance romance and a bit of enemies to lovers at the same time without being annoying, at all. I loved the characters in this story so much and would shove this one at you first given the opportunity.
The Right Swipe, by Alisha Rye - This book is the first is a series and absolutely brings the heat, with great success, and without sacrificing the story. The characters are funny and charming, the setting and premise is extravagant and fun, entertaining and poignant. It deals with the NFL’s handling of CTE, dating apps, toxic work structures, and I very much enjoyed it.
Well Met, by Jen DeLuca - This is -such- a charming story. It’s about a grumpy dude and the girl who manages to get through to him. They end up working at a renaissance faire together and it is just the cutest. There’s a bookstore involved, some excellent banter, and adorable characters.
More to come later, and this obviously demonstrates my preference for contemporary romances over historicals, but if you’re looking for something spicy to read this summer I hope you’ll give one of these a try.
Enjoy!