I've been trying to find Romance books to read, but when I look it up online I either get the classics like pride & prejudice of which I've already read most, or I get tiktok booktok slob. I want to read some romance where romance is the B-plot or that has some other plotlines that are also very important. There's no themes I can't handle.
Bonus points if it's slowburn where the people have a really long story, and even more bonus points if it takes place in the past.
by iminkneedoflove
8 Comments
I thought the Seven Year Slip was pretty good, but it could be considered corny by some. Also The Secret Book Club is pretty cute and not too heavy on the romance. If you’re interested in Historical Romance, Manic Pixie Dream Earl isa recent release I personally enjoyed, but most of my recs are pretty lighthearted, so I don’t know if any appeal to you
i’m not into romance books with the exception of georgette heyer. i’ve loved her books (regency period) since i was young. there is zero sex, the romances are subplots and they are usually pretty amusing. sylvester, or the wicked uncle is a hoot. other favorites of mine are fredrica, the grand sophy, friday’s child, faro’s daughter, venetia, hmm, i could go on for awhile here. there have only been a few that i didn’t flat out love.
Try Christina Lauren. Of all the current popular, trending authors, I enjoy her the most.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
r/RomanceBooks might help.
I recently enjoyed The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. It’s not straight up romance, but funny, heartfelt, new.
You might like Normal People by Sally Rooney, and Book Lovers by Emily Henry.
The latter is more within the romance genre whereas Rooney is more lit fic. Normal People has more flawed characters and is about a complicated relationship between two people beginning in high school but going well into their adulthood.
Both are well written and have compelling characters who are living with trauma and complex past life experiences. Neither book features a “love conquers all” corny narrative.
There are other important characters and plot lines, but they’re definitely more secondary.
Half of the Human Race by Anthony Quinn – literary love story set in Edwardian England / WWI, women’s suffrage, social change and the clash between traditional and progressive values
If you’re up for golden age crime + a love story, the Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey books featuring Harriet Vane are wonderful (Strong Poison, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night and Busman’s Honeymoon)
Well, it depends on what you consider ‘corny’ but maybe What the wind knows by Amy Armon should fit what you’re looking for.
Also if you still can’t find anything to your taste, maybe try asking r/RomanceBooks.