August was National Romance Novel Month. Library Staff Miranda and Brianna shared some of their favorite romance reads below. Some are contemporary romance, romantasy, or romystery but all have a happily ever after (HEA)!
Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise
Minerva Dobbs knows that happily ever after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet, even if he is gorgeous and successful, Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes and keeps him on his toes. When they say goodbye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again– but fate has other plans, and it’s not long before Min and Cal meet again.
This book is fun, witty, and full of romance! Brianna has read most of Jennifer Crusie’s novels, but this is one that she keeps in her reread pile. Both characters have established careers and lives as the novel starts, and it’s a pleasure seeing Min and Cal fall in love against their better judgement. Cruise’s voice will have you laughing out loud and wishing for your own prince charming.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they are the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides, namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Soon enough, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations.
While this MLM romance has a spot on every list, Brianna thinks the hype is deserved. This book was engaging and fun with a narration that keeps the reader hooked and a plot that adds just the right amount of tension. Both Alex and Henry are likeable characters you’ll root for, and the ending is absolutely the stuff of fairytales!
It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant
Mavis Miller is the single mom to feisty seven-year-old Pearl, and she balances mom duties with her thankless job at a nonprofit. When the PTA president asks Mavis to chair the DEI committee (because Mavis is one of the only Black parents) Mavis reluctantly agrees. After a disastrous first PTA meeting, Mavis sees the PTA president carrying a large trash bag, wearing yellow gloves, and skulking around the school. The next day, it is revealed that the principal is missing. Mavis and the very cute school psychologist work together to investigate what happened to the principal.
This romystery- it’s going to catch on- is equal parts romcom and mystery. With well flushed out characters and many laugh out loud moments, this mystery has everything a romance novel promises. An HEA is as guaranteed as Mavis solving the mystery of the missing principal.
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
When Brittany Ellis walks into Chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she’s worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So, when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
This YA romance has it all: enemies-to-lovers, serious stakes, and a picture-perfect HEA! Brittany and Alex might be opposites on paper but as they meet and feelings deepen, both realize that they have more in common than their worlds would have them believe. Their romance is exciting, yet tender, and the reader will find themselves on the edge of their seat wondering just how they will find their happily ever after.
Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Opposites attract in this charming romance set against the backdrop of the Irish countryside. Raine Hart is used to living with ADHD. She decides to leave Boston to busk around Europe. After a disastrous day in Ireland, Raine finds herself in Jack Dunne’s pub. Jack recently inherited his family’s pub and wants to make changes but the intrusive thoughts from his OCD make that difficult. Raine agrees to help Jack make over his pub. Throughout the overhaul, sparks fly and the two find their happily ever after.
Miranda really enjoyed this sweet romance and the mental health representation. The two main characters felt like full and dynamic people and were very easy to root for.
The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
Jack Audley has always been a highwayman, a soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she’s not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have.
Quinn– of Bridgerton fame– had written dozens of historical romances before Netflix knocked on her door. The Lost Duke of Wyndham is in Brianna’s top two Quinn novels! From the first page, the author’s signature humor captures the reader. More than that, though, Quinn excels at writing deeply likable characters who find their happily ever after, even in the midst of dealing with challenging circumstances. In a lot of ways, Quinn is a quintessential regency romance author, and this book is sure to delight readers who give it a try!
Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida
Mia may be a Millennial, but she was basically born yesterday. Mia woke up from a coma with just her phone and a tiara. Armed with just her phone- the tiara she gave to one of the nurses- she uses Siri and Instagram to piece together her life. She finds where she has been staying- at her billionaire, chocolatier boyfriend’s house. When she gets there, she meets her boyfriend’s nerdy (but cute) grad school student house sitter, Max. While her boyfriend, JP, is out of town, Max helps her put the pieces of her life back together and the picture isn’t great. Mia may be a businesswoman, but her business is sketchy at best. As Mia discovers who she was, she realizes who she wants to be with the help of Max. What, on the surface, looks like a love triangle isn’t what it seems because for Mia the choice is easy.
Miranda thoroughly enjoyed this book. She recommends suspending your disbelief and embracing the Millennial cringe on this hilarious romp.
Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter
The first time Aja Owens encounters the man of her dreams, she’s having a panic attack in the frozen foods section of the Piggly Wiggly. The second time, he’s being introduced to her as her favorite bingo buddy’s semi-estranged grandson. From there, all it takes is one game for her to realize that he’s definitely going to be a problem. And if there’s anything she already has a surplus of, it’s problems.
In Walker Abbott’s mind, there are only two worthwhile things in Greenbelt, South Carolina: the peach cobbler at his old favorite diner and his ailing grandmother. Dragging himself back after more than a decade away, he’s counting down the days until Gram heals and he can get back to his real life. Far away from the trauma inside of those city limits. Just when he thinks his plan is solid, Aja enters to shake everything up.
A light romance that still explores serious topics; Brianna enjoyed this book when she read it a few years ago! Both characters have their own lives– and their own visions of their future. Seeing Aja and Walker grow closer is heartwarming, especially with the small-town setting in the background.
Under the Surface by Diana Urban
This book gave Miranda anxiety in the best possible way.
Ruby and Sean are spending the week exploring Paris with their class. Ruby and Sean both have feelings for each other, but both are afraid to tell the other for fear of ruining the friendship. One night, Ruby’s best friend sneaks out to meet a cute and mysterious guy in the catacombs- the ones that span and weave under the city of love. Ruby follows to try to bring her friend back, but they as well as two other classmates find themselves lost and eventually trapped under Paris. Above ground, Ruby’s teachers and classmates think the girls have just snuck out and will be back anytime full of excuses. Only Sean suspects that Ruby is in danger, and he fights hard to prove that she didn’t just wander away to a party but is now in real danger.
This YA thriller may not initially bring romance to mind, but it is the spark of young love that keeps both characters fighting to see their happily ever after and make it out of the catacombs alive.
Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas
Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas, if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty Jones is a complication he doesn’t need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.
When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty finds herself under the spell of a billionaire tycoon—a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family’s past.
Lisa Kleypas is an auto-read author for Brianna and while Kleypas’s historical novels are top tier, she couldn’t resist recommending the first contemporary romance that Kleypas wrote. While she loved this when she first read it– when it was originally published– Brianna recently reread the book and was able to appreciate the nuance of the characters’ journeys and motivations more now that she is an adult! Liberty is an easy character to support, and the reader will enjoy following Liberty on her own path to adulthood, with all the ups and downs that necessitates. The romance can be sweet– with a welcome tinge of realness at times– and the ending is very satisfactory.
The Blonde Identity/The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter
Twins Alex and Zoey couldn’t be more different. Alex is spy, an honest to goodness undercover operative. Zoey uses words like “coverting” as a verb and can name every romance trope there is. When Zoey wakes up with no memory of who she is and only the knowledge that someone with her face is wanted by every alphanet organization- and a few criminal organizations, she goes on a whirlwind trip across Europe to discover who she is. Alex walked away from the CIA, but when she wakes up handcuffed to her worst enemy, she’s pulled back into the life she thought she left behind.
These companion novels can be read in any order, though Miranda recommends publication order, and are a fun ride. Miranda grew up reading all of Ally Carter’s YA books and was excited to read her debut adult romcoms. These books are truly romcoms with equal parts romance and equal parts comedy. In true Carter fashion, the strength of the book lies in its colorful cast of characters.
Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau
Actor Ryan Kwok is back in Toronto after the promotional tour for his latest film, a romcom that is getting less-than-stellar reviews. After years of constant work and the sudden death of his mother, Ryan is taking some much-needed time off. But as he tries to be supportive to his family, he struggles with his loss and doesn’t know how to talk to his dad, who now trolls him on Twitter instead of meeting him for dim sum.
Innovative baker Lindsay McLeod meets Ryan when he knocks over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Their relationship is off to a messy start, but there’s no denying their immediate attraction. When Ryan signs up for a celebrity episode of Baking Fail, he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake, and she agrees. As Lindsay and Ryan spend time together, bonding over grief and bubble tea, it starts to feel like they’re cooking up something sweeter than cupcakes in the kitchen.
A newer romance, Brianna enjoyed the way Lau seamlessly blended romance with the baggage that each character carries. With themes around grief and career uncertainty, Ryan and Lindsay find a warm place to- eventually- rest with each other. Brianna recommends this book for anyone in the mood for a contemporary romance with a sweet, fun, and soft edge.
The Duke by Anna Cowan
Kate, Duke of Howard, is known throughout Europe as a merciless autocrat not to be crossed. Consumed by a bitter rivalry, she avoids society and has vowed never to trap a woman into marriage with a monster like herself.
The beautiful, ambitious courtesan Celine Genet once threw herself on the mercy of the visiting Duke of Howard. She was desperate to escape the guillotine. But after a night of searing passion, the duke left her to the ravages of Revolutionary Paris and didn’t look back. Now Celine is in London and in possession of a dangerous letter that proves the Duke of Howard committed treason as a child, and possibly even murder.
Celine wants a titled husband in return for keeping the duke’s secret, leaving Kate with no choice but to parade her around the most fashionable ballrooms. But as Celine takes society by storm, Kate finds herself growing fond of the woman set on destroying her. And as their attraction mounts, Kate faces an impossible choice: keep her childhood secret or win the woman she loves.
Full disclosure: As of the publishing of this blog, Brianna hasn’t finished this book yet, but she is still reading it. Brianna wanted to include it in her list of recommendations for the month. While sapphic romances set in the regency era are becoming a little more popular, the premise of this had Brianna immediately placing a hold. Kate, a Duke, falling for courtesan Celine is a premise that isn’t too unfamiliar in traditional novels but gender swapping what is usually a cold, jaded man for a woman gives this book a new and exciting twist! From what Brianna has read, this book has everything a romance reader should enjoy: tension, an intriguing plot, and characters who draw the audience in.
