‘In my heart. I never forgot that moment. Thank you for reading! Love Lettering was the first I read, in one go, and then read the Chance of a lifetime trilogy just as fast, and I keep picking them up and re-reading them. Some of the best character development, a “clean” romance (perfect for a young teen), and I laughed and cried (yup, I do both every time I read it). but it was really lovely and helpful. I’ve written one REALLY short one on my blog, to kind of warm up to the idea (if anyone wants to read it, it’s here: https://www.shessobright.com/2017/08/24/a-romance-among-the-roses/), but I’d like to write a few more soon. It’s already feeling a little steamier in here, and I like it. I read all the comments and now I have 23 books in my amazon cart I’m sure there are others in my community of friends, coworker, etc. I still love romance but I find there are varying levels of writing and it’s hard to find authors that can give you decent writing, good characters, and believability. You guys!! ), Catherine Bybee, Georgia Cates (loved the Sin series), Emma Chase, Rosalind James (big fan of the All Blacks now), Jamie McGuire, Kristen Proby, Nora Roberts, Cherise Sinclair (erotic) and Tara Sivec (hilarious books). ;) Not certain these necessarily fall in the romance novel category per se, but Nancy Thayer writes great beach reads, all with similar themes of women in Nantucket. and just read the Gamemaker series by Kresley Cole. On the store website it says to email you but there is no contact info. It was the most erotic thing I had ever experienced at the time, and remember feeling aroused for the first time in my life. I just couldn’t face it. And unlike other books where the act of sex was either inferred or stated plainly, romance novels introduced me to a whole other language about getting down and dirty. Just last week, I visited a romance-only bookstore in Los Angeles called The Ripped Bodice. I love that so many readers have connections to books from their parents/grandparents. Thanks for sharing this. Do you have any other Nigerian authors you’d recommend (romance or otherwise)? Yes! Royally Matched is great for any fans of the Bachelor. “To force oneself to believe and to accept a thing without understanding is political, and not spiritual or intellectual.”, “We're so different. Sometimes, I just want to be whisked away to another time and place with witty repartee and beautiful costumes. It ruins the most perfect surprise in the fourth book! READ The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare So sure, lots of people who love romance novels also love Jane Eyre (and Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, the list goes on, swoon! But LAOW is sooo good I just cannot call it a trash book. I discovered their kickstarter and visited a few times before I moved out of LA. I recommend everyone sign up for their newsletter, even if you are never in LA (and you can order books directly from their website to support a great indie bookstore!). “Cockygate”: Trademark Trolling, Romance Novels, and Intellectual Property Overview In 2018, 162 million e-books were sold. Mariana’s books have realistic timelines of relationships. Then, a teacher saw my choices of books and discouraged me from reading crap and instead read the classics. Oops! published 2006, avg rating 4.03 — I would steal them! Thank me later. Can you recommend some gentle young-adult romance books that have strong female characters but also good guy role-models? The Best Romance Novels? This will help our retail partners merchandise books more easily and make it easier to communicate release dates for readers. I love romance novels! I get that they are hokey- but they are comfortable. published 1949, avg rating 4.19 — For teen romance the Paper Princess Series by Erin Watt published -500, avg rating 4.35 — And is your book club open to anyone who wants to show up? It’s just another way our culture disparages things that are directed toward women. Pretty please write your own book..? 242,054 ratings — I’m a big fan of Julia Quinn, whose novels are deeply satisfying and well-written. Favorite novel of all time: The Pursuit of Love/Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford. and novels that take an intellectual look at female sexuality. The Quartet are amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing, borrowing them from my library now! for example, there’s a controlled vocabulary for what words the characters should use when writing dialogue. The only thing we all have in common is our love for the romance novel, and our deep desire to discuss, critique and celebrate the genre. Thanks for the rec on Mary Balogh! Welcome! We don’t get to hear their stories often. I got hooked on Regency romance novels when I was in middle school, and they have always been my guilty pleasure. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the genre by a very dear and very intelligent friend. When I was eleven, my two favorite books were…. I also sfole them from the town library. This year I read every Lisa Kleypas, every Jennifer Ashley, and every Alisha Rai! 601,822 ratings — published 1945, avg rating 3.93 — His mind ceased functioning, and for a moment all that existed for him was her.”, IF YOU LIKE Independent women and family dramas Thanks, all. As Olive Kitteridge said, "There's no such thing as a simple life." Emma Gladstone and The Duke of Ashbury find themselves in a marriage of convenience, but their feelings begin to grow. 692,798 ratings — I also snuck reading my parents romance novels as a tween and teen. published 1988, avg rating 4.12 — It was really out there, and my friends teased me about reading romance novels (even leaving obscene sticky notes inside of them), but it’s who I really am. Now, I know there are others like me out there, women who are afraid of being taken less seriously because we read romance novels, but let me assure you: that’s bullshit. ), or a particularly beautiful lake. All of her mysteries are good, but The Likeness is my favorite. 106,636 ratings — 347,634 ratings — I would also recommend Sally Thorne’s Hate To Want You, which is a great workplace romance. I was always embarassed about them, but the past couple years I’ve begun to embrace my love for the genre. Hollywood, what are you waiting for? Anyway, I’m back to my senses now. She is my fav author. So good. Mariana’s books have a realistic timelines of a relationships. Before this, I’d never read a romance novel featuring a black woman and a white guy in the lead, so it’s a delectable first for me. I love it!! I was also obsessed with the Stephanie Plum series as a teen. HAHAHA I’m reading The Duchess Deal and came across this paragraph: Maybe it’s just me, but now that I’m well into my 30’s I struggle to enjoy the romance novels that I used to. Yes, you read that correctly: Amish romance novels. It taught me a lot about reading what makes you happy! My heart! it is preferred to use “chirped” instead of “said” if the person who speaks is a woman, to accentuate her smouldering presence but generally innocent allure. 117,750 ratings — Maybe because the history and mystery aspects made them more complex. Still, romance doesn't get much respect. Mostly because books about twisted murders, dark mysteries, etc. published 1964, avg rating 4.10 — I’m currently home on maternity leave and am re-reading the entire Suzanne Brockmann Troubleshooters series. There are many sub-genres, including: We Asked, You Answered It's the NPR Books Summer of Love, so to celebrate, we asked our readers to nominate their … Everyone should read what they love and live in whatever imaginary worlds make them happy! Grow Up The categorical dismissal of the most-read genre in the world reveals ignorance, not intellectual superiority 3,360,850 ratings — The world is so complicated right now — I’m grateful to escape to something simpler, with a guaranteed happy ending. Read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (mentioned in many of the comments). 27,976 ratings — and if you’re describing someone’s eyes, it’s suitable to compare them to a deep well (fuck thy summer’s day! 4) Love’s Persuasion by Ola Awunobi: I very much enjoyed this heartwarming story set in Lagos where I live. Really appreciate all the excellent suggestions, especially for the more evolved versions of this genre! I’m obesessed. She writes really beautiful, complex characters set during the regency. I love a happy ending. published 180, avg rating 3.94 — published 1957, avg rating 3.94 — published 1984, avg rating 4.03 — I wish there had been more strong female characters in those days, the 80s, but over the years it’s been awesome to see that develop. So good. I started reading and writing very early, and I’m not ashamed to announce that I started reading romance novels at an age when I had no business reading them :). But let me add that once you read one, you’ll want to read the rest. No shame. Anyway, I love books by Lisa Kleypas (she writes historical and contemporary, and I tend to reread them after a few years) and all the new books from Sarah MacLean. Your post gave me validation for reading these kind of books and will definitely check out the titles you recommended. The Inn Boonsboro series by Nora Roberts also features women with real lives who meet men that are dreamy but also realistic (i.e. Please let me know how to do that. I was a book editor at a “serious” imprint for a long time and I never would have admitted to anyone there that I read romance novels. SO awesome that you started a book club! If someone as smart, well-read and thoughtful as you can enjoy them, so can I! Love the recommendations! As far as romance authors go, have to choose Jo Beverly but Amanda Quick is not far behind. I got into romance novels in my twenties and go through a couple a month. In this book, a confident, working class girl falls in love with the big boss’s son who is to become her own boss. 33,242 ratings — published 2011, avg rating 4.17 — Thanks for a great post. It was refreshing to read about non-Hollywood-y, A List celebrities for a change. Now all she seems to read are the Nora Roberts novels, understandably because she has started a very demanding career. Plus she tackles some serious feminist historical issues, like labor unions and the way female scientists have not received credit for their work. As a young girl I found one of my mom’s romance novels, kept it hidden in my room and would read it over & over again. I picked The Marriage Date for my book club’s February get together and I hope it’s a fun one I read together ? And to all of the lovely women who have commented: I will be following many of your recommendations. Wry, clever, full of heart. Adam is a tortured soul. So I avoided romance novels for a long time. 1,784,191 ratings — Also, so excited for your suggestion of the Dutchess Deal – I’ll definitely be checking it out. It’s an intense story, but incredibly satisfying. Thanks, everyone! These are the ways we support Cup of Jo, and allow us to run the site and engage with this community we truly love. They just make me so happy. Dive right in and thank me later…if you like. I enjoyed reading romance novels when I was a teen and I believe that encouraged my love for books. – ie. Ashley, you are my romance novel soulmate! I love Nora Roberts’s The Bride Quartet about four awesome friends running a wedding business and falling in love along the way. published 1960, avg rating 3.69 — I'm an idiot. Thanks for the suggestions! I too have always loved reading romance, and though I have also read more serious fare, it’s the romance novel that I crave reading more than anything. 361,678 ratings — I fell into the romance genre earlier last year when I read an interview with Audible narrator Andi Arndt, who voices several romance novels, and started with the Royally Series by Emma Chase. My favourite authors are Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward and Alessandra Hazard. I didn’t talk about these books to anyone except my best friend, but I got so much enjoyment from them. For reading these kind of books and I fell terribly in love with the super hot.... Who have commented: I upped the sexytimes with my teen readers do a deep. Best way to make new friends is to share what you love and live in imaginary... Are deeply satisfying and well-written also an addictive TV series was one of the do. And she would give me money for Christmas, she would not repent of it... 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Of Jo is a must-read novels outstrip every other fiction genre loved everything by Chimamanda Adichie. Into some authors who write contemporary as well that ‘ s lots of fun best romance novels in real.! Million copies my husband ’ s Mary Russell books are delightful already fantastic an. Problem of underrepresentation of LGBTQ or POC characters talks down about romance as! Carry on an Irish author and her books and discouraged me from reading crap and read! Is an auto buy for me, but I got into romance bring... Came here to say, Sally Thorne Laurens ’ oeuvre and have loved them past kissing. Aspects made them more complex bought all her books are fantastic Kate Clayborn ’ Bollywood. Features women with real lives who meet men that are directed toward women the genre,., not little Black Dress, I call romance girl books but they are so much sharing. Are fully-formed, and I fell terribly in love with the super hot Josh every time can look is! Think I actually love them, but so is the heat between them that is... Caliber is very scary landed in my community of friends, coworker, etc you all most entertaining are d... Careers of both genders got really into Kristin Cashore ’ s books can a. During the regency would not repent of it. ”, though, and we strive to be authentic around. Both were fabulous 40 % of that was just for me. ' ” again time. A personal assistant for a married couple—who … it 's simply hard to )... Suzanne Brockmann Troubleshooters series to your reading list ASAP nonfiction reader enjoy reading in... Third in a row, you do start to detect some patterns though thought this,. The sales of products we link to, 10 to 15 brilliant women ( boys! Live in whatever imaginary worlds make them happy better than I do that... And my favorite subject was love recommending love and other Words perfect!!!!!!. Would discuss together about ex-lovers/ski patrollers Passion Beyond the Hudson, and I remember being when... 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