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)
10. Dirty/Players Series' (I can't choose one) by Jaine Diamond
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Rockstar
Chemistry: Oh yes. Yes, yes, yes.
Banter: Awesome.
Sexy: Oh hell yes.
Why it made it to the list: The chemistry between all of the characters. The banter. The steam. The journey to their HEA. So romantic, but not hallmark-y romance. It feels very realistic.
9. The Bonds That Tie Series (I can't choose one)
by J. Bree
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Trope: Reverse Harem
Chemistry: You know it.
Banter: Yes, and its different with each bond
Sexy: Uh ... YES!
Why it made it to the list: I never thought I would have a reverse harem on my top 10 list for romance, but it is. J. Bree has written a reverse harem series that, while steamy, is equally romantic. Oli's relationship with each of her bond's is unique from one another, and is rooted in what feels like authentic love. Not the easiest thing to pull off, so props to J. Bree!
8. The Love Hypothesis
by Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Trope: Fake Relationship
Chemistry: YES! And the tension ...
Banter: Adorkable
Sexy: Surprisingly so.
Why it made it to the list: Olive and Adam had to make this top 10 list. Adam's secret crush on Olive is obvious from the start, and him agreeing to help Olive by pretending to date her, and their budding friendship and relationship, is just adorable. It makes them one of my favorite couples.
7. Radiance
by Grace Draven
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Trope: Arranged Marriage
Chemistry: Beautifully
Banter: Wonderful
Sexy: Subtle, but yes.
Why it made it to the list: This is one of the only series that I've read that two people fall in love with the person, and is not initially attracted to them. An arranged marriage between a human and a Kai, both of them finding the other disgusting to look at, but upon meeting, immediately strike up a friendship. As they become closer, they fall in love, and only become attracted to one another after falling in love. Their friendship and resulting bond with one another is romantic as hell.
6. House of Sky and Breath
by Sarah J Maas
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Trope: Fated Mates
Chemistry: OF COURSE!
Banter: Bryce and Hunt together on page will forever be a delight
Sexy: YES
Why it made it to the list: We have so much romance in this book, it's sickening. Not really. haha. Bryce and Hunt are relationship goals. Ruhn and "Day" is romantic ... till you know what. Those are the two big ones, and both relationships are romantic in different ways. I can't wait for the next book, because there are hinted relationships that I NEEDDDDDDD!
5. Surviving Time/ Belgrave Dynasty (I can't choose one)
by Calia Reed
Genre: Historical Contemporary Romance
Trope: Opposites Attract (Surviving Time), Frenemies (King of the South), Brothers Best Friend (Lady Gouldian)
Chemistry: Oh. My. God. YES
Banter: Amazing!
Sexy: YESSSSSSS!
Why it made it to the list: Read these books and try to argue with me why Etienne and Serene are NOT relationship goals? You can't. Etienne and Serene's journey to one another across time is epically romantic, sexy and just all around wonderful. King of the South's frenemies trope adds a level of humor to Livingston and Rainey's relationship, but no less romantic. And Lady Gouldian's featured couple, Asa and Nathalie, is heartbreaking, intense, sexy ... the love between those characters BLEEDS through the pages ...
despite that cliffhanger.
4. Glow
by Raven Kennedy
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Trope: Fated Mates
Chemistry: Yes, yes, yes!
Banter: Good
Sexy: Um, yes. The carriage scene. I still haven't recovered.
Why it made it to the list: Slade and Auren are just the definition of modern romance. They take care of each other. They support each other. When one is down, the other lifts them up. They love each other deeply, and it doesn't need to be told. You feel that.
3. The Inadequate Heir
by Danielle L. Jensen
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Trope: Enemies to lovers, Secret Identity
Chemistry: Major chemistry.
Banter: Great!
Sexy: Uh ... yeah.
Why it made it to the list: I am a sucker for a true enemies to lovers, and let's be honest - this is it. Two heirs, on opposite sides of the war, fall in love through chance and secret meetings. When things fall apart, they don't give up on each other. Especially Keris. He will do anything for Zarrah, even at the expense of his moral compass. I can't wait for the next book.
2. The War of Two Queens
by Jennifer L Armentrout
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Trope: Fated Mates
Chemistry: Deliciously so.
Banter: Always.
Sexy: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Why it made it to the list: Cas and Poppy's relationship, despite being in a somewhat historical fantasy, is exactly what you would want in a modern romance. They support and take care of one another. Cas doesn't feel emasculated over the fact that Poppy is more powerful than him. In fact, he finds it sexy. The amount of respect and love they have for one another is the definition of romance in my books. Spoiler (highlight between arrows) -------> and the love Kieren and Poppy feel for one another is romantic as well. Despite not being heartmates, those feelings of love and respect are genuine, and while they are not in a
relationship, it all felt very romantic. <------------
1. Lore Olympus
by Rachel Smythe
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance
Trope: Mythology Retelling
Chemistry: SO MUCH!
Banter: SO GOOD!
Sexy: Yes, but not in the way you think
Why it made it to the list: I adore Lore Olympus. I love Rachel's version of Hades and Persephone. Persephone is so bubbly, and sweet. Hades is a bit of a dork, and a secret romantic, causing him to feel lonely. The way Rachel uses a small amount of words, and her art, so you can genuinely feel the love and attraction that building, shows wonderful talent, and I look forward to reading every new chapter she releases on Webtoons weekly - and rereading them in her beautiful graphic novels. This version
of Hades and Persephone is yet another example of
what I feel is true romance: they both support, and
respect each other, while having fun and finding joy
in even the hard moments.