Hello!

Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, the day of love. I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite romance books. These are a mix of contemporary, magical, urban fantasy and historical.

All these books I have given 4 or 5 stars. I highly recommend them.

 

Stage Dive series by Kylie Scott

Kylie Scott is a new find for me. I picked up the fist book in the series, Lick, from a secondhand book store and promptly finish the whole series within the next 5 days. This series focus on rock band, Stage Dive. Each band member gets their own book and we get to see how they find love. Kylie Scott’s stories are hilarious. If you’re looking for a Rom-Com in book from with band boys, this one is for you!

 

Dive Bar series by Kylie Scott

This is a spin off series to Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series. In this we follow the bar which Vaughn Hewson’s family and friend’s life revolves around. Vaughn was on of my favourite side characters and I so excited we go to see more from him. Again this has Scott’s trademark witty humor and fully formed characters. This women has single handedly added so many book boyfriends to my life.

 

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

I could pick the whole series, but it’s really A Court of Mist and Fury which is the romance plot of the series is at full force. Feyre and Rhysand have a complicated start to their relationship but they find their way through, which makes sense as this is a Hades and Persephone retelling. Not going to say too much since it is the second book and well spoilers. Perfect for those who love steamy romances with their fantasy.

 

Royally Series by Emma Chase

This was the first straight-up romance contemporary series, and I freaking loved it! It follows the love lives of the Princes of Wessco — basically England. Normally when I read books about royalty it’s set in Medieval times so it was nice change to see modern day royals. I loved how you get perspectives from both the guy and the girl. The sections are told in first person and I am amazed that the voices are so distinct, their personalities shine through. This series is the perfect summer read. Also there is a spin-off series, the first book is out in May and I cannot wait!

 

The Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet

Another Hades and Persephone retelling — kind of a trope I adore when everything is consensual. In this series we follow, Caralia the Kingmaker who’s disguised herself as a soothsayer. She’s hiding from the danger and destiny that being a Kingmaker contains. Until, Griffin, an ambitious warlord wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm. There is a sweet and very steamy romance between these two.

 

Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

Hi my name is Dearna, and if you’ve been around here or my bookstagram feed for a while then you would’ve heard about this series. I am obsessed with it! These books are set in the future and depict a world that’s struggling to find the balance between the three races — humans, changelings (werewolf, shifter people) and the psy (a psychic race who have given up on emotions). This series is the perfect mix of urban fantasy, politcal intrigue and romance. Also it has my favourite trope — soul mates.

 

The Canary Club by Sherry D. Ficklin

This was the first review copy I ever received and I love it. It has everything I love about YA and historical fiction life-like setting and swoon worthy romance. Set in 1920s New York we follow Benny and Masie has they navigate the city’s underbelly and work to create a new club. Ficklin really brought the setting to life. She weaves in the 20s slang with ease. he romance was a slow burn, which I adored. I also enjoyed seeing their relationship unfold from both Benny and Masie’s point of views.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

When my mum first told me the story of the Trojan War when I was 8 or so, she always say Achilles and Patroclus were lovers. The Song of Achilles is the first book I’ve read which depicts this and I love this book for that. We get a detailed look into the life of infamous hero, Achilles from the perspective of his closest friend and lover, Patroclus. This is one of my all time favourites.

 

The Virgin Widow by Anne O’Brien

My favourite monarch is Richard III and O’Brien tells the tale of his story but more importantly tell the story of his wife, Anne Neville. Anne was the daughter of the richest and most powerful baron in England, The Earl of Warwick, The Kingmaker. She’s trapped in the deadly tangle of political intrigue as a pawn in the game the houses of York and Lancaster battle for the throne. I love the fact that Anne’s story is told, she’s mostly forgotten in history books, her only claim to fame is that she was Richard III’s Queen. The relationship between the two is swoony and sweet like most medieval romances. One of my favourite books depicting their love story.

 

Cross Stitch (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon

I really couldn’t do this list without including the sexy scot, Jamie Fraser. Cross Stitch or Outlander, as it’s now known, follow Claire who’s been reunited with her husband and on her second honeymoon in Scotland after WWII. She winds up in 1743 admits a violent skirmish, after walking through the stone circle in the Highlands. Claire finds herself in Jacobite Scotland trying to get back home. She in danger from the Jacobites, the Redcoats and her desire for Jamie Fraser. Jamie is everything a book boyfriend should be, and he has an accent.

 

Goddess Summoning Series  by P.C. Cast

This series fuses together two of my favourite things; romance and myth retellings. In this series we have mermaids, Hades and Persephone, Apollo, Achilles, Aphrodite, a Beauty and the Beast featuring the Minotaur and even King Arthur — yes not Greek but still awesome. Infused in these narratives P.C. Cast’s signature Wicca and spirituality. These books include women of all ages and contain well developed slow build romances.

 

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This was one of the first adult books I read back in high school. A friend of mine recommended it to me and I was hooked.  Told from Librarian, Henry’s point of view. It tells the tale of his and Clare relationship.  They first meet when Clare is 6 and Henry is 36 — don’t worry it’s not creepy Lolita style of book because Henry is a time traveller. Also whenever he meets Clare was a child there is no romantic feelings or actions. Periodically, Henry finds himself misplaced in time and pulled to moment of emotion gravity in his life, both past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous and generally linked to Clare, which is so sweet.

 

That’s it for me. Comment down below and let me know what your romance book is.

Until next time, happy reading!
Dearna