Once upon a time, there was a thirty-something year old woman who claimed she hated romance ... until one day she decided to give it a try (after her best friend pestered her for years to do so). The day she picked up her first romance, her heart grew three sizes, and she quickly became obsessed. The end? Never!
Below are my top ten picks of my most romantic reads of the year.
10 - (Romantic) to 1 (Head over heels in love)
HEA : Happy Ever After
10. Mad World
by Hannah McBride
Trope: Enemies to lovers
Chemistry: Oh yes.
Banter: Awesome.
Sexy: Oh hell yes.
Why it made it to the list: Putting aside the fact that the plot for this book is spectacular, and just concentrating on romance aspect, Maddie and Ryan might not seem deserving of being on this list. After that ending especially. But I argue this: these two fall head over heels in love with one another despite ALL THE SHIT that happens in this book. And while the next books title promises there will be hell to pay for Ryan, I do think these two can overcome everything and end up with a HEA. Needless to say, this book left me emotionally hungover, and I can't wait to get more Maddie and Ryan in my life.
9. The Bridge Kingdom
by Danielle L Jensen
Trope: Enemies to lovers
Chemistry: YES
Banter: Delightful.
Sexy: The tension is sexy as hell.
Why it made it to the list: The chemistry between these two, right from the start, is intense. Both fiercely loyal to their countries, it takes a long time for them to stop circling one another and fall. Despite the heart wrenching ending, its obvious they still love each other, and the second book is just as good.
8. When He Was Wicked
by Julia Quinn
Trope: Friends to lovers
Chemistry: Oh my god YES
Banter: Loved. It.
Sexy: About to combust thinking about it.
Why it made it to the list: Are you kidding me? The tension between these two, the guilt they both endure, and when they finally succumb ... oh my heart. I was bawling. Probably my favorite couple from The Bridgerton series.
7. The Crown of Gilded Bones
by Jennifer L Armentrout
Trope: Established romance
Chemistry: Always
Banter: Great banter
Sexy: YES YES YES
Why it made it to the list: Poppy and Casteel being heartmates may make it obvious why this book has ended up on my top 10 list, but I didn't take that into account. To be honest, Jennifer writes these two characters relationship to be one to strive for: total respect for each other, unending love and loyalty, and unyielding patience. Let's throw in some crazy physical chemistry as well, because these two have got it all.
6. Rhapsodic
by Laura Thalessa
Trope: Mated
Chemistry: Loads
Banter: Loved it!
Sexy: A Fae King and a sexy Siren ... hell yes it is.
Why it made it to the list: One of the best things about this book is the back and forth time jumps. We start in the past, then jump to the present. I totally fell for these two, and the journey they go through. I'm a sucker for mates.
5. The Deal
by Elle Kennedy
Trope: Fake Relationship
Chemistry: drool ... yes.
Banter: Fun!
Sexy: There is a scene in here where they don't even touch one another, but its one of the hottest scenes I have read
Why it made it to the list: I know, right? Why is The Deal - a sports romance, on a top 10 list for romance? Because its romantic, damn it! I know #booktok lists it as steamy - and it is! - but I can't brush past the romance. Two opposites, make a deal, learn that there is SO much under all the assumptions they made of one another, attraction, succumbing to their feels, and ultimately falling for one another ... I'm not eloquent here, but this book will turn you on as well as make your heart swell.
4. A Deal With the Elf King
by Elise Kova
Trope: Enemies to lovers, Arranged Marriage
Chemistry: Yes!
Banter: After they put aside their differences, they are sweet with one another.
Sexy: Not steamy, but sexy. Hard to explain.
Why it made it to the list: I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers, and arranged marriage. And fantasy. Honestly, the plot to this book is unique, and the romance is slow but sweet. There is true respect between these two, and an element of friendship, which makes their romance all the more wonderful.
3. The Kiss Quotient
by Helen Hoang
Trope: Fake Relationship
Chemistry: Ermagawd.
Banter: Love it!
Sexy: Holy shit yes!
Why it made it to the list: Helen Hoang managed to write a reverse Pretty Woman plot, and made it romantic. I'm not crazy about Pretty Woman, but The Kiss Quotient is amazing. It's full of mutual respect and consent with both parties. Not once do you feel judgement for sex workers in here, and we get a woman MC on the spectrum, who not only learns to embrace who she is, but her sexuality as well. This book is sexy, but its romantic as well, because we get two likeable characters that truly respect one another, and accept one another for who they are, and their positions in life. And its one of the rare books where you can see the bond build, instead of being told it.
2. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating
by Christina Lauren
Trope: Friends to lovers
Chemistry: LOADS
Banter: SO FUN
Sexy: Who knew peeing in front of someone could lead to steam? I didn't, but I am here for it.
Why it made it to the list: Friends to lovers is probably right up there with enemies to lovers for me, and I LOVE THIS BOOK! Its rare that I would go back and read a standalone book over and over, but I will with this one. Josh and Hazel's whole opposites attract thing is entertaining, and I fucking devoured this book in less than a day. I LOVED their chemistry, I loved their friendship, I loved everything about these two!
Red, White and Royal Blue
by Casey McQuiston
Trope: Enemies to lovers
Chemistry: Holy shit yes.
Banter: Delicious.
Sexy: YES!
Why it made it to the list: Another standalone I will go back to again and again. And yes, it makes it to my top romance pick of the year. It's enemies to lovers, but comedic, and a true, honest to goodness romance. Enemies to reluctant partners, to friends to lovers. And the roadblocks are realistic. Let's not forget these two together make some steamy as hell scenes.
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