Last year I finally indulged my curiosity and delved into the somewhat mystifying romance genre of books. I enjoyed it! I had a somewhat flat view of romance books previously, but reading a handful showed me there is a great range. Some are very literary and complex, some are plain funny, some are full of cliches but fun nonetheless & etc.
So I’m planning to read more this year. There are two more I didn’t get to read last time, but I’ve included them on that linked post so I won’t rewrite them. Aside from the one sequel on this list, these are all new authors I’m excited to discover.
Get A Life, Chloe Brown – Talia Hibbert
I’m actually more intrigued by the second book in this series, but I thought I’d start in order and see how it goes. The author has another coming out this year, too, so there will be plenty to read if I enjoy it!
Synopsis: Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan and a list. After almost – but not quite – dying, she’s come up with a list of directives to help her ‘Get a Life’. But it’s not easy being bad, even when you’ve written out step-by-step guidelines. What Chloe needs is a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job: Redford ‘Red’ Morgan.
China Rich Girlfriend – Kevin Kwan
I need to know what happens after Crazy Rich Asians! I’m eager for some solved mysteries and to read more about Nick’s wonderful mother.
Synopsis: It’s the eve of Rachel Chu’s wedding, and she should be over the moon. She has a flawless oval-cut diamond, a wedding dress she loves, and a fiance willing to give up one of the biggest fortunes in Asia in order to marry her. Still, Rachel mourns the fact that her birth father, a man she never knew, won’t be there to walk her down the aisle.
The Kiss Quotient – Helen Huang
I know this is a fan fave series, and I’m also very intrigued by it. I love that it focuses on neurodivergent women for each book in the series.
Synopsis: It’s high time for Stella Lane to settle down and find a husband – or so her mother tells her. This is no easy task for a wealthy, successful woman like Stella, who also happens to have Asperger’s. Analyzing data is easy; handling the awkwardness of one-on-one dates is hard. To overcome her lack of dating experience, Stella decides to hire a male escort to teach her how to be a good girlfriend.
The Flatshare – Beth O’Leary
I was going to read this in my last round but I swapped it out, so now it’s regained a place on the list. I know this author is very well-loved by fans of the romance genre so I have high expectations!
Synopsis: Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.
Radiance – Grace Draven
I came across this book on a Goodreads list and I’m fascinated. It’s nice to get a bit of a fantasy/romance mix in the list, and I’m fascinated by the very premise of this.
Synopsis: Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.
I discovered many great books through reading romance books last year, so I’m excited to do the same again. Whether or not I ever manage to read that author again is a whole other thing! But it’s nice to have them on my radar.
What romance books are you planning on reading this year? Do you have any recs for me?
Rabeeah Reads 