Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings and discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging.
Topic: Romantic reads recommendations
Answer: Romance is one of my favorite comfort read genres & I thought this resurgence of rom-coms was going to mean reading heaven for me but most have been disappointing so I’ve been reading as many. But here are a few all time faves and series that I recommend.
The funny and swoony:
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren ~ Goodreads This book still puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. It’s the type of romance I LOVE. Sweet, funny & oh so swoony .
Sustained (Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase ~ Goodreads I read this back in 2015 and remember laughing my ass off. This story has lots of kids and I don’t typically like kids in my romance but, in this case, it works. Chelsea is taking care of her 6 orphaned nieces and nephews and hard ass defense attorney Jack Becker gets caught up in the whole mess and it’s hilarious.
Magical romance:
The Chocolate Kiss (Amour et Chocolat #2) by Laura Florand ~ Goodreads I love *foodie* romances and this is one of my favorites. I can’t say it much better than this Goodreads blurb – “Parisian princesses, chocolate witches, patissier princes and sweet wishes—an enchanting tale of amour et chocolat.” Simply enchanting romance.
Romance with a dose of social justice:
The Glasgow Lads series by Avery Cockburn ~ Goodreads This LGBQT series does a great job at exploring differences (political, socio economic and other issues) while managing to make me interested in UK politics and sports – soccer/curling. My favorite of the series so far is Playing to Win because…hate to love…my catnip.
*Full disclosure – I beta read this series
The Dreamers series by Adriana Herrera ~ Goodreads Another LGBQT series (M/M pairing for the first 3 books, M/f for book #4) that brilliantly explores the immigrant experience with wonderful, flawed, complex characters, supportive friend groups and is sexy as hell.
YA:
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett ~ Goodreads Bennett is kinda the Queen of swoony YA, IMO, but Starry Eyes was the swooniest with a cast of compelling characters (she always has wonderful families and a realistic/healthy portrayal of teen sex)
The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutoski ~ Goodreads Bite your nails, read at the edge of your set – how could this possibly end well – romance in a fantasy setting. This was a stressful roller coaster ride of a series but well worth the stress read. Plus you don’t need to wait a year between books since the entire series is published.
I'm horrible at remembering what I read and surprised I came up with this many lol I’m sure I’ll think of more as soon as I finish this post (Ah! See, I just thought of another one - The Bromance Bookclub! by Lyssa Kay Adams & A Girl Like Her! by Talia Hibbert ) but let me know your favorite romance recommendations in the comments.
Starry Eyes is one I've been kinda wanting to read ever since it came out. A lot of Jenn Bennet's books seem to get raves but that one in particular, I thought, looked great. The nice cover doesn't hurt, and the camping angle too.
ReplyDeleteI know YA romance isn't quite your thing but I think you would like that one. IT's got a little bit of everything - drama, science, danger...
DeleteSorry, I don't read romance so I don't have any recommendations for you! Just stopping by to say hello! *waves*
ReplyDelete*WAVES HI* back!!!
DeleteSustained was my favorite of that series. The interactions between the kids and Jack were the best. Josh & Hazel delighted me to no end as well. And, Jenn Bennett is one of my top YA author. I loved everything about Starry Eyes too. The characters, their story, their moms -- it all worked for me
ReplyDeleteI am NOT a fan of kids mucking up my romance but I loved that one - because of the kids lol
DeleteI love me some Emma Chase but haven’t got around to the Legal Briefs series yet. Josh & Hazel was so, so good. I just adored those two together. :) And I really need to get around to Starry Eyes. I loved Alex, Approximately by Bennett.
ReplyDeleteOh Starry Eyes...that's my favorite of hers. Josh & Hazel is basically my idea of a perfect rom-com.
DeleteI have't read any of these but a couple look good.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find something good to read - I know you're usually a PNR gal lol
DeleteOooh, perfect post! I haven't read any of those. Romance is my comfort go-to as well but sometimes they irritate me SO much. I'll read some of these next time.
ReplyDeleteYeah - they have to be JUST right for me lol I seem to be getting pickier.
DeleteI've got American Dreamer on my WorldReads TBR since Olivia recommended it so I hope to read this book this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big romance reader, but did just finish The River Jewel by Kathleen Shoop for a blog tour. It's a historical story set in 1870s Iowa and was rather lovely!
She's the one who turned me on to the series last year. It's great.
DeleteA nice variety! I just finished the first American Dreamer book last week - I enjoyed. Picking recommendations can be hard, and I didn't want to go back too far, so I went with recent reads. I loved Get a Life, Chloe Brown and Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn, just to name two.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read many recently that I enjoyed. Love Lettering was too sad for me lol
DeleteI have only read one! SAD
ReplyDeleteANd I so want to try Bromance
I predict you will be annoyed lol
DeleteYES to The Winner's Trilogy! It's one of my absolute favorites and I'm dying to read The Midnight Lie!
ReplyDeleteMine too and I'm not even a fantasy fan.
DeleteSorry you haven't been loving all the romance you've been reading lately, but I'm glad you've found some winners! I really loved Starry Eyes and Winner's Kiss too! And I've heard great things about Bromance.
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
That's why I want to go back to re-reads. Fall in love again :-))
DeleteHappy to see American Dreamer on this list. I have to read Starry Eyes and I actually own The Bromance Book Club so I just need to find the perfect time to read it ^.^
ReplyDeleteIt's such a fantastic series. Starry Eyes is just so perfect to me and TBC is funny!
DeleteI STILL haven't read Josh and Hazel!! I can't believe it, but I WILL read it! I own it and everything... I just need the urge to strike!
ReplyDeleteI now have a couple of Bennett's books to read too. Her covers are so pretty.
Bennett won the cover lottery. They are always gorgeous and right in line with the story.
DeleteI hope you love J&H. They made my heart happy.
This was not my kind of post. 😄
ReplyDelete