Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme by The Artsy Reader. This week’s topic is a genre freebie! I figured I would make a list of great romance books that are great for people just getting into the genre. There is definitely a stigma around romance books (thanks a lot, Fifty Shades), and I would definitely like to see that stigma go away. Please enjoy this selection of non-intimidating, totally awesome, not based on fanfiction, list of books.
- The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – This book is funny, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is a super sweet love story.
- One Day in December by Josie Silver – This reads exactly like a rom-com movie – it’s an easy transition if you are a sucker for anything that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan starred in together
- The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman – This is more a story of a woman breaking out of her comfort zone and learning to embrace change, but it does have a cute romance
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – Another super cute and funny romance. It’s a very quick read and will leave you wanting to read more by Sally Thorne
- How To Walk Away by Katherine Center – This book made me cry, made me swoon, and was pretty inspirational.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – This is more focussed on the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood and what it took to make it in that day and age. It also highlights the many marriages of Evelyn Hugo, and her one true love.
- Renegades by Marissa Meyer – It’s a heroes vs villains story, with two very, very starcrossed lovers
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Honestly my favorite YA romance, it’s perfect and is one of my favorite books ever.
- Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – Perfect new adult romance. It was realistic and sweet, and talked about the importance of duty.
- Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center – another amazing book by Katherine Center. Very similar to How to Walk Away, and just as good.
15 Comments
What a good list! I’ve read and loved most of these, but I’m a bit of a romance junkie!
Here’s my TTT
I love FANGIRL but haven’t read the spin-offs. I want to read Red, White, and Royal Blue. My TTT list
Fangirl is awesome. I just finished 99 Percent Mine today.
Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with books that began as fanfiction. I wrote one, so I guess I’m biased. Although I have no interest in 50 Shades.
I don’t read romance, but that Red, White, and Royal Blue does sound good.
Great list! Loved Red White and Royal Blue and Nina Hill!
My TTT is here https://bookloverssanctuary.com/2020/03/24/top-ten-tuesday-genre-freebie/
Been meaning to read The Seven Husbands for ages! Thanks for reminding me!
My TTT is here https://bookloverssanctuary.com/2020/03/24/top-ten-tuesday-genre-freebie/
I’m sure looking forward to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
My TTT .
Great list. I still haven’t read Fangirl. (sigh) So many books and so little time.
Here’s my list of books to inspire and uplift if you want to visit: https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2020/03/top-ten-tuesdayten-books-to-inspire-and.html
I see so many favorites on this list! I agree that they are great introductions to the romance genre for non-romance readers.
Very good choices–I really enjoyed/reviewed several of these. Nice work.
Yes, there is a stigma around romance books, and I’d like it to go away as well! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
I always love finding other Red White and Royal blue fans.
Personally I don’t think romance has a bad reputation, and I try to separate romance from smut like Fifty Shades but I get what you mean.
Here’s my TTT https://bookwormsanonymous.blog/2020/03/24/top-10-tuesday-childrens-classics-that-have-been-on-my-tbr-forever/
I loved Fangirl and Evelyn Hugo. Maybe that means I should read more romance.
Definitely! Lots of great titles out there
Love so many of these – reading Evelyn right now!