Fantasy

Book Recommendation: Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

Fans of Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, or other fantasy authors would like Carissa Broadbent. Broadbent has a few series out but this is a great place to start for non-romance readers. The world-building and adventure in Daughter of No Worlds will capture anyone who loves a good fantasy novel. 🌶️

Young Adult Contemporary

Book Recommendation: By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

If you typically go for a young adult contemporary story like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or Fan Girl, try By Any Other Name. By Any Other Name is a great transition from Young Adult to Adult romance since the major difference is the character’s age. By Any Other Name features romance editor Lanie who, after receiving a huge opportunity at work, realizes working with the mysterious author she’s been assigned won’t be as easy as she thought. The book is a closed-door romance (no spice), which may be closer to what you’re looking for as a young adult reader.

Relationship Saga

Book Recommendation: Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

If you like books like Normal People or One Day try Forget Me Not by Julie Soto. The book features wedding planner Ama Torres and grumpy florist Elliot. The story is dual POV but told in one of the most unique ways I’ve seen in romance. This second-chance romance leaves you rooting for two characters who are trying to figure out their baggage while finding each other at the wrong time in their lives. 🌶️

Historical Fiction

Book Recommendation: Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

If you liked Bridgerton or Outlander, you’ll love Never Seduce a Scot. There are 3 standalone books in the series that follow different couples and take place in the Scottish Highlands. FMC Eveline is kind and thoughtful but no one knows that she cannot hear. Her family knows she does not speak but they don’t know why. When she is forced into an arranged marriage she meets Graeme her new husband. The story has a good suspense plot throughout that, if you’ve never been into romance before, will keep the pages turning. 🌶️🌶️

I don’t read, but I read Holes in school and liked it

Book Recommendation: Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

It is my humble opinion, that many books require time and energy to ‘get into it’. I get it, the author has to set the stage, give you the context, introduce you to the characters, and then you’ll get sucked into the book. For me though, especially as a parent, sometimes I don’t have time to hope the book gets interesting. Sometimes all I want is a book to hook me from the moment I start it. Rhapsodic is a great example of that. Who is the Bargainer? Why does Callie need his help? What is their history? Rhapsodic is a 4 book series that reads so quickly you look up and days have passed. If your hesitancy to get into reading as an adult comes from your frustration with slow build books; allow Rhapsodic to get you into it again. (the spice in Rhapsodic builds to about 🌶️🌶️🌶️)

Book Recommendation: The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L Jensen

If you loved the political intrigue and general ‘what is happening’ while reading Uglies, then you will love The Bridge Kingdom. The Bridge Kingdom introduces us to Lara, a warrior princess, determined to see the Bridge Kingdom fall. The story grabs readers immediately and keeps you going throughout the 2 book series. If you enjoy books 1 and 2, you can continue reading and follow new love interests throughout books 3 - 5. 🌶️🌶️

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Book Recommendation: Faking Mr Right by Claire Kingsley

Many romance novels can be found in a series where each book follows a different love interest but is set in the same world. What Claire Kingsley sets up in Faking Mr Right is a group of best friends who each find love in a different book throughout the series. Although you don’t have to read them in order you’ll miss out on the friendship building throughout. This cozy romance read is low on drama and angst. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe by CS Lewis

Book Recommendation: Feather by Olivia Wildenstein

If you liked the magical world created by CS Lewis, but found yourself skipping the more high fantasy series like Lord of the Rings, try Feather by Olivia Wildenstein. In Feather, Olivia creates a magical world that is so fun and interesting you are captured from the moment you meet Leigh our FMC. Come for the fun world, stay for the romance. Feather is a 3 book series you’ll devour in a few days. 🌶️🌶️

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Book Recommendation: Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

I remember thinking that one of the things I loved about The Mortal Instruments was that it was interesting and also a long book series. Sometimes what you’re looking for is just to get sucked into a good book series and not have to play ‘what do I read next’. Throne of Glass is a 7 book series by Sarah J Maas, author of A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). In Throne of Glass, you’ll get court politics, assassins, and the beloved ‘WHO DID THIS TO YOU’ that we all love. (the book spice builds throughout the series to probably about 🌶️🌶️)

Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene (or The Hardy Boys by Franklin W Dixon)

Book Recommendation: Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)

Nora Roberts is the queen of mystery romance. Writing under the pen name J.D. Robb, Nora brings a book series over 20 books long. Don’t let that deter you though because much like Nancy Drew, each book follows a different mystery to solve. The series takes place in 2058 where our main character Eve is a detective solving crime. 🌶️🌶️

Love or hate TTPD, it’s a toxic album. The album's theme circles around some toxic love interests and unhealthy relationship dynamics. Do you know what we don’t do in our reading though? Judge. This is a safe space for any and all books. Let’s get into it.

Guilty as Sin?

Book Recommendation: The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

The Friend Zone is the first in a 3 book series by Abby Jimenez following FMC Kristen. Kristen has baggage with a capital B and also happens to be in a relationship when she meets MMC Josh Copeland. The story follows their dynamic as maid of honor and best man to their two best friends. It’s an incredibly compelling story that will make you want to burn through the whole series. Abby’s magical gift is presenting real characters that you laugh and cry with as they move through their life. Why did we tie it to Guilty as Sin?? Kristen makes some questionable choices while in a relationship that isn’t technically cheating. The line “there's no such thing as bad thoughts” could be considered a theme in the early part of the book. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

But Daddy I love him

Book Recommendation: Twisted Games by Ana Huang

You honestly cannot get a more fitting story with a princess falling in love with her bodyguard. Twisted Games is the second book in the Twisted series by Ana Huang. You might read ‘a Princess and Bodyguard Story’ and think this may be worth a skip, but give me a second to change your mind. Ana took a tired concept and turned it into a sexy version of The Princess Diaries Two (you know, the one with Chris Pine?). Bridget (FMC) and Rhys (MMC) don’t like each other, they’re more different than they are alike, but they also respect the other person. Pair their bickering with Bridget's female friend group and you have yourself a series to read from beginning to end. Although you don’t have to start at the beginning, I’d recommend Twisted Love to get to know the female friendships. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I can fix him (no really I can)

Book Recommendation: Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Devil in Winter is book three in the 4 book Wallflower Series by Lisa Kleypas. It is important to note that you need to read the first two books before you read Devil in Winter. Although each book follows a different couple, there are important setups that will happen in book 2 that give you the context to understand book 3. If committing to the first two books is too much at least read book 2. Devil in Winter follows FMC Evie, a shy wallflower looking to escape her toxic family, and Sebastian, an infamous rake who will do whatever it takes to save himself. Evie and Sebastian agree to a marriage of convenience. If you’ve never tried historical romance, the Wallflower series is an excellent place to start. The series follows 4 best friends and their commitment to help each other ‘off the wallflower wall’ and find a suitor. For anyone who is anxiously waiting for the next Bridgerton series, these books will scratch the same itch. 🌶️🌶️

The Prophecy

Read more

I wrote this newsletter mostly for myself. I found myself overwhelmed with the recommendations, having a hard time figuring out what I liked and sifting through a lot of books that weren’t a fit for me along the way. I wanted someone to do the work to recommend books that are fun, interesting and most importantly romantic. Each week, I’ll include a list of some book recommendations varying in sub-genre, spice level and popularity to hopefully give you a few solid additions to your TBR. I’ll try and give some insight into who might like the book, since not every book hits the same way for everyone. This week we are kicking off the newsletter with books you know your favorite Gilmore Girls characters are reading.

Taylor Doose

Recommendation: Lovelight Farms Series by B.K. Borison

Taylor Doose took all the fun out of reading romance novels by simply taking notes on the town events they hold. Taylor bought his Kindle, downloaded all the small town romance novels he could find and started bringing the ideas up at Town Meetings. He has sticky notes all over Doose's Market with new inspirational ideas regardless of their feasibility. Miss Patty had to eventually put her foot down on all the ideas that came from small town Alaska books. Taylor was inconsolable when he heard Woodbury created an adorable Christmas Tree Farm last season. He picked up Lovelight Farms hoping to find some inspiration and enact his revenge.

Why you might like it: Lovelight Farms is the first in a 4 book series all taking place near the fictional town Inglewild, Maryland. Lovelight is a friends to lovers story featuring an in-over-her-head FMC and her best friend who will do just about anything for her. It’s the equivalent to a warm hug in a book. The final book in the series was released this month. 🌶️🌶️

Babbett & Miss Patty

Recommendation: Desire in his Blood by Zoey Draven

Babbett and Miss Patty have capitalized on the romance book popularity and started their own bookclub. Hosted in the dance studio on Tuesday nights, they pick a new theme each month. Miss Patty’s only rule is there must be spice. Attendees vary but you’ll always see Lorelei, Sookie and Kirk in attendance. This months bookclub book is Desire in his Blood by Zoey Draven (Miss Patty is on a Dragon men kick).

Why you might like it: Desire in his blood is a surprisingly heartfelt enemies to lovers featuring a human FMC and an angry dragon MMC. If you like low-angst, steamy, forced proximity stories and dragons, you’re going to love this one. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Kirk

Recommendation: The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

Making everyone in town deeply uncomfortable, Kirk has started dressing and acting like the MMC in every book he reads. Since he’s been reading a lot of historical romance he has added ‘scoundrel’ and ‘my lady’ to his vocabulary. Luke has tried banning Kirk from the diner as a result but Lorelei keeps letting Kirk in when Luke isn’t looking. Kirk has secretly also started publishing his own romance novels under a pen name.

Why you might like it: The Governess Game is an adorable historical romance novel with forced proximity and cute kids. Featuring an FMC and MMC just trying to make the best of the life they’ve been given. 🌶️🌶️

Dave Ragalski

Recommendation: The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

In what can only be described as an accidental book swap, Dave cracked open The Boyfriend Project when his new significant other left the book at his house. Not typically a romance reader he picked up the book interested to learn about what his partner reads.

Why you might like it: The Boyfriend Project is one of those books that hooks you from the introduction. It sucks you in with fun female friendships and keeps you going with a slow-burn love story. If you like the boyfriend project you’ll be happy to know it is book one in a 3 book series. 🌶️🌶️

Liz Danes

Recommendation: Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Liz picked up Royal Holiday in a not so subtle attempt to become a real life princess and find royal love later in life. Captured by the magic of the royal weddings, Liz has started to talk about William, Kate, Megan and Harry as if they are her close personal friends. TJ simply refers to William and Harry as his ‘bros’, much to Luke’s dismay.

Why you might like it: Jasmine Guillory wrote a masterpiece series with Royal Holiday being book #4. If you like to read things in order, start with The Wedding Date. Although you don’t have to read them in order, you get the added benefit of getting to know the characters throughout the series if you do. If you are looking for the book version of ‘charming and heartwarming’, you’ll love this book. 🌶️🌶️

Finn and Colin

Recommendation: Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet

Finn and Colin absolutely did not read Kingmaker Chronicles. They read ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas). Finn and Colin became insufferable as they turned every party they threw into an ACOTAR themed party and tried to introduce everyone they knew to the series, despite being two of the last people on earth to read the books. They don’t care, they won’t hear it. For Finn and Colin they are the geniuses who discovered Sara J Maas. In an effort to try and provide a recommendation other than ACTOAR, I give you Kingmaker Chronicles.

Why you might like it: Kingmaker Chronicles has fantastic world-building in this divided kingdom fantasy series. There’s court drama, adventures and magic. The series features an incredibly strong FMC who hides her power and a warlord looking to solidify his control over his territory. This is a completed 3 book series. 🌶️🌶️

Lorelei Gilmore

Recommendation: You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

Lorelei started reading enemies to lovers and couldn’t stop. Something about the constant bickering felt comfortable and familiar to her, so she’s been reading them ever since. Rory has also found every book her mother reads waiting in her mailbox for them to ‘read it together!’. Rory, who bought The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo because NPR recommended it, now just has a shelf full of romance novels from her Mom that’s she’s never read.

Why you might like it: You Deserve Each Other is a take on enemies to lovers not seen very often. Engaged couple Naomi and Nicholas find themselves stuck in their engagement until someone gives up and pays the wedding bill. Since neither will quit they resort to sabotage to see who can break first. It’s filled with miscommunication and frustration from everyone. If you found yourself skipping season 6 Gilmore Girls you may want to skip this rec too. 🌶️

Honorable Mentions:

Emily Gilmore has a Colleen Hoover book in her house and she has no idea how it got there.

Jess Mariano is trying to convince Hank Green to publish his next series under his publishing house in Philadelphia after reading An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.

Sookie St. James watches Sohla and Ham cook together on their NYT Cooking Channel and constantly talks about just ‘how cute they are!’.

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