Hi dear friends!
Is it possible to sanctify another human being without being Pope? Because after having cursed Shanah all February and part of March for her choice of topics today I just want to kiss the ground she walks on!
Mind you that woman has chosen today’s topic especially for me!!!
Best gift ever!!!
So thank you Shanah for asking us to share our top 5 romantic reads!
For a romance blogger like me it’s akin to ask late Imelda Marcos for her top 5 shoes.
Having read more than 200 books a year for a long time and since 20 years most of them having some and more romantic aspect do the maths! My choice is huge!
So I have decided to give you my top 5 romantic reads by genre.
By genre?
Yes yes because you can read thrillers and have some romance.
Romance does not mean half dressed maiden and rakish dukes on the cover only!
What you had no idea?
Well let me educate you 😀
Let’s begin with the very adult and hot! Bordering erotica
The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz! Man that woman can write!!!Even with erotica her stories are deliciously polished and honed. Meant to be savored.
This Man series by Jody Ellen Malpas. Some hate it but I loved it and own to my opinion. Yes Jess was crazy possessive but it worked!
FSOG by EllaJames. I hear some of you screaming and ttearing their hair! Yes I know the relationship is bordering unhealthy. But you have to give it to Ella James she opened the way!
Now let’s get to Uber romantic contemporary adult reads but heavy on feelings rather than sex.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is in my books the most romantic read that I have read for years! Smart, fresh, cute brilliantly executed.
Forever Right Now by Emma Scott. I love all her books but Darlene really stole my heart. Sawyer was perfect and add the single dad effect and I was a goner!
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan. This is another extremely romantiv story with the male character being pure and innocent. I don’t know why but his innocence made the book ten times hotter better than any explicit and erotic book!
The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C Cherry. The female character was just so sunny and good and caring and ….
In contemporary New Adult I adored
A Girl Like Lilac by Victoria L James. Toby is the best romantic protective hero ever!
Binding 13 and Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh. With topics like abuse and drugs but so romantic! Johnny swept me off my feet!
One Day Soon by Meredith A Walters. I love broken but courageous heroes. To this day Yossarian is one of my favorites!
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Do I need to explain?
In historical
I just HAVE to mention two of Amy Harmon’s books: From Sand and Ash happening during WWII in Italy. The romantic relationship takes place between two childhood friends grown into a priest and a young Jewish woman.
What the Wind Knows has a hint of Outlanders and will be on my bests of 2019!
Transcendence by Shay Savage. Ehd was the sweetest and most romantic caveman that I have read about!
From Blood and Sand by CV Wyk. In ancient Rome. And tragic. And I want to remake the ending!
In young adults
I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios. It was one of my best books of 2018. It was real. It was raw. It was desperate yet so honest and hopeful!
The Boy who Sneaks through my Bedroom Windows by Kirsty Mosely. I adored this story of childhood sweetheart. Protective hero through and through.
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole. Dang that book just broke my heart! So romantic and so dramatic!
A Wish For Us also by Tillie Cole. Very original story and also heartbreaking
In science fiction
The Honors Series by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre. Overflowing with feelings and beautiful yet totally unexpected love!
The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Dare telling me that this one was not romantic!
In PNR
The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead because…Dimitri and Rose!!!!!
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa. Because it was so interesting and satisfying to see Pestilence reflecting on human love!
Eidolon by Grace Draven. Fantastic message about true beauty.
The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon again! I so loved that story and the characters!
Wolfsong by TJ Klune. M/M and utterly romantic and touching and….
Forbidden Love
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma…still not recovered
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Brynn Greenwood. Controversial!!!
Ok I am stopping here as I could go on and on for days!
I know you did not guess if you are not familiar as I went overboard as expected but this was part of the Top 5 (herm…) Tuesday hosted by Shanah @bionicbookworm
Now do we have some reads in common? Do you have other recommendations?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
The host is definitely romantic- I actually really liked that one! And I really want to read the bird and the sword and what the wind knows 🙂
Oh I love your list! But I still need to read The Vampire Academy and Pestilence. They sound like books I’d absolutely love, so I’m hoping that I can binge one of them this summer.
Fingers crossed Jen!!
Transcendence made my life! Did you read the follow up, Luffs?
Yes! Read and loved Luffs! <3 <3 <3
I want more!!! It was so cute!
So cool to get so much recognition among others as the expert in romance!!! Awesome list too, even though I doubt I’ll read them hahah
No? You won’t read them Lashaan? I did not tempt you to??? LOL
Hahahahaha not happening! 😀
Damn! Too bad lol
Wow you think you know romance and then I read your post! So many to choose from. I love you did genres, it helps a reader to focus on what they crave. A number of books are on my TBR. ❤️❤️
Have fun reading them Dani! <3
Currently reading From Sand and Ash and it is amazing so far! Can’t wait to read Amy’s new book What the Wind Knows. And I also finally got around to reading I’ll Meet You There, loved loved it!
YAYYYYYYYYYY!!! LOL
First of all, kudos for actually managing to choose! Being asked to pick my fave romances feels like an impossible task! Thumbs up for FSOG! I’m so tired of seeing it bashed. It’s like if you dare to say you enjoyed it you’re just asking for the lynch mob to “educate” you on how “problematic” it is. Ugh! Guess what? It’s FICTION! LOL Ana is one of the most annoying characters I’ve ever read but I was really hooked on those books. Totally invested. Hooray for Archer’s Voice! Oh my goodness, he was so precious. So much love for him and that book. From Sand and Ash was ah-mazing. It was my favorite read of 2017 (I think I have the year right). I’ll Meet You There is an all-time favorite. Made a huge impact on me and has such a special place in my heart. We part ways on A Thousand Boys Kisses, though. OMG, I loathed that book. I lost track on how many times I rolled me eyes. I probably can’t count that high, anyway. LOL Awesome post, Sophie!!
THANK YOU Tanya!!! And yes, it’s fiction!
We shared tastes in books. GIRL ONE DAY SOON IS SO UNDERRATED <3
I so agree Beatrice!!!!!
So many great choices Sophie! Like you, I still haven’t recovered from reading Forbidden!
I think it will haunt us till the end of time Kayla!
Yes! Even though it was wrong, I was rooting for them!
Dang, Sophie, you sure know your romance, in all its forms, and this is a great list if I want to find something to read…such diverse choices!
Thank you Alexandra! And as a romance reader I had to get the big guns LOL
Sophie this list is EXTENSIVE!! So many books!! I’m glad you had fun with this, and I can’t wait to look into some of these!! x
Well for a romance reader I had to give it my best Meeghan LOL
Absolutely!!! So many books on here I’ve since added to my TBR
Holy Sophie… THIS is your field indeed xD i gotta say I wouldve had been pretty dissapoonted in you if the kiss quotient wouldnt had made the list, with all the praise i’ve seen from you
Girl— have you ever read Sweet Thing by Renée Carlino yet??? It’s NA and probably my most favorite one. Ever. cant stop preaching that one though I read it … 2years ago now?
I somehow never read smut/steamy erotic romance either I shall try one one of thoses days ..
Not yet! I have read some of her other books but I don’t think this one!
Wait… a caveman? Ooh prehistoric love? We need more of that. I mean, you know, done well. 🙂
Vampire academy… I need to read those, after seeing the movie. I liked Zoey Deutch in the role and the blond girl who used to be on Mako Mermaids and I’ve heard the books are so much better!
Oh and re: your comment about boarding schools… haha it’s possible!!!!!!! :):)
See Greg? I KNEW I was right about boarding schools LOL
Wolfsong. YES! Also, I loved The Kiss Quotient. Oh, man I really really really need to read A Thousand Boy Kisses. LOL Thanks for sharing. I love your enthusiasm for love. 🙂
Thank you Angie and you are most welcome!!!
You’re so very welcome! And this list was everything I hoped it would be and more! My TBR is cursing myself for making this a topic lol. I can’t wait to research these! I’ve read a few but not too many. Thanks for such a great list of recommendations!
Well Shanah thank you for this gift!!!!!
I just finished The Boy Who….today. I loved the concept and the relationship between Liam and Amber and an ending that strong goes a long way with me. And, TKQ is perfection
Speak of coincidences Sam!!!
A Thousand Kisses was so beautiful. Great list, Sophie!
Hi Daniiiiii! Thank you <3
I’ve read some of these books in the list and I totally agree with all of them! I loved Rose and Dimitri! They’re one of my favorite OTP’s. I also loved Blood and Sand, Pestilence, and The Bird And The Sword. I haven’t read Eidolon yet but It’s on my TBR list. I hope I’ll get to it this year.
Oh you are in for a treat with Eidolon Raven!