Hi dear friends,

We are nearly at the end of this daily challenge! And today, as a romance blogger I am very pleased to talk about swoon worthy books!

What’s a “swoon worthy” read?

I don’t think there is an official definition somewhere but I chose to freely translate this in a romantic story. So romantic that I had stars in my eyes, was sighing happily while reading. I often shed one tear or two but not really an ugly cry. It’s a moving but not overtly angsty story bringing me mostly joy and making my romantic heart flutter.

Well I have read several swoon worthy books this year and my contenders would be:

Landon & Shay by Brittainy C Cherry as Landon is one of my favorite heroes;

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang;

Better Than This by Beth Flynn;

But today my winners are:

The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

I’ve already mentioned this book in other posts of this Blogmas but it’s because it does fit my definition of romantic read to a T!

The Girl He Used To Know is a deeply moving story about a girl who is not like everyone but did her best all her life to fit in.

It broke my heart so many times to listen to the bullying and unkindness Annika had been victim of because there never has been a sweeter female character. Annika reminded me of a fluffy kitten. Someone you just wanted to protect and hug.

I think Tracey Garvis Graves did an impressive job portraying all the ordeals someone suffering from autisme yet being highly functioning could encounter all his life.

“I never know what people are thinking. It’s like visiting a country where you don’t speak the language and you’re trying so hard to understand but no matter how many times you ask for juice, they keep bringing you milk. And I hate it.”

Jonathan was very protective of Annika. Most important: he was never ashamed of her! He never wanted her to change. Every thing she gave him emotionally, every baby step she was able to make in their relationship he took it as a priceless gift.

If I did not like the narrator this did not deter me from falling in love with Johnathan.

Not for me but for Annika.

Sometimes I want to steal the male MC and keep him for me but here, Annika was such a radiant soul that I wanted her to be happy. If I could have I would have pushed Jonathan in her arms!

Their love story was beautiful but something happened.

That’s why this is a second chance romance.

Tracey Garvis Graves broke my heart. Several times in the book. Toying with my hope. Lifting me up just to let me plummet to the ground. But that’s life and life is not a bed of roses.

My second winner today is a book read late in 2019 after my friend Amy Scolla drew my attention on Susan Fanetti’s story!

Carry the World by Susan Fanetti could have fit in historical fiction too but I wanted to keep it here as that book really made me dream!

The characters are just so gorgeous and courageous. There was such dignity in Jonah and Ada!

I enjoyed this slow dance between these two worthy characters. I loved seeing the mountains through their eyes. I loved how Susan Fanetti reminds us that, at the end of the day, luxuries are not important. People’s heart and love is what counts. That’s what makes a home.

This is a story meant to be savored. You have to sink into it, learn it, walk to its character’s pace. You have to peel off the outer layers to get to its golden core.

Swoon worthy I am telling you!

Now it’s your turn! What’s the swoon worthy book that you have read in 2019?

Thanks for reading!

Sophie