Hello! I thought that in the month of love, I’d share three romance book recommendations that cover different genres and tropes that you may not have come across yet in your journey with reading romance.
This was such a fun and steamy novel. Honestly, the steam was 10/10.
If you’re looking for a sexy, very steamy romance, following a male lead who is the softest most fresh character, you should pick up this book. This wasn’t a five star read for me but it’s a book but it’s high up in my most enjoyed reads and is a book that I’d definitely will pick up again for the romance aspect of it. I loved how complicated and new Ashton was. His character felt a lot more mature and complex which came with his role as a single father working in an industry threatening to age him out. His ambition to pursue an acting career isn’t the same as someone younger but is a combination of desperation and determination to make himself and his family proud. I also loved all the Puerto Rican elements to the story and how the author embedded Spanish casually into the dialogue. It’s the type of representation that the literary world needs more of.
If you’re looking for a second chance romance done right with the help of a secret incognito group of men who read romance books to educate themselves on, pick up this book! It’s such a sweet, wholesome read that will make you smile, swoon, and sweat đŸ˜‰ The secret bookclub of men reading romance books is such a powerful statement. I love how the author went into the feminist aspect of mass market romance books and romance books in general. I can write a whole essay on the multitude of ways romance literature is talked down upon and is often referred to as something “less significant”, “scandalous”, “shameful”, or “easy”. All books carry a message but romance books especially carry so many messages, hopes, and dreams of womxn who have been silenced for decades. Take “Pride and Prejudice” for example. Sure, it’s a world renown romance but Austen didn’t just write a romance, she wrote her thoughts and beliefs into the story. She fought against silent walls that we’re constantly surrounded by with words that cut through thing’s that aren’t sensible for a womxn to talk about. See what I did there lol? Why should that be any different when it comes to romance books with half naked viking men on the cover? All that being said, I love how this book had such a swoon worthy romance that matured with the knowledge of how to treat a womxn right, how to romance a womxn and see her wholeheartedly. I love how many stereotypes were broken with this book in a humorous, comprehensible way, but casually enough for it to make a lasting impact.
If you’re looking for the perfect winter romance to read while cuddled up under blankets next to a crackling fire and aging wine or Diet Coke if you’re me, pick this up. This is such a lyrical read. The author takes a historical play and explores a romance between Patroclus and Achilles in this book. The way the romance buds and blooms into this beautiful rose that’s stunning to look at but painful to feel or touch. This story grows on you like a cup of hot tea warms your chest, inside and out. Until suddenly, you’re riding a heavy wave through Ancient Greece where honor and glory may just be more than enough to run and wreck havoc on a love story sweet enough to burn through your heart. As much as the story of these two characters is addicting, the most romantic part of this book is the writing. The lyrical, symbolic writing, sucks you in and won’t let go of you. I love how the writing started off as a hopeful tune and ended an eerie echo of everything’s than been and could have been. A heartbreaking romance that will satisfy you and destroy you at the same time, I highly recommend for all the feels, tissues advised.
Ah I have been wanting to read both You Had Me At Hola and Bromance Bookclub!