I’m going to try really hard to explain what I’m after, as I expect I am probably being unbearably specific/picky/snobby.
I don’t read for tropes and haven’t had a particular interest in romance in the past – I just enjoy any well written book, which tends to be contemporary literary fiction and for the most part relatively depressing in one way or another. To give an indication of what I like, books I’ve given 4/5 stars include Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet, Eliza Clark’s Penance, Bernadine Everisto’s Girl Woman Other, Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto etc.
However, I’ve recently listened to a few audiobooks where the will they/wont they, slow burn romance aspect has had me giggling and swinging my feet even though it hasn’t necessarily been the main driver of the plot – namely The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue and Ninth House/Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. They’ve just been something a bit lighter to listen to in the car and the gym whilst still being reasonably well written.
Can anyone recommend similar books to scratch the itch of a well written, slow burn romance that isn’t necessarily a “Romance” book?
by eillom84