A Collection of my Favorite Romance Novels is part of Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Admittedly, romance novels, mainly contemporary romance, haven’t always been my favorite, or go to genre to read. I tend to read them in waves. For a while, that is all I read. And then, it seemed like I wasn’t reading them at all. And then, back to reading them! I think this was due to my pickiness with romance – and my inability to be swept away by them unless they were on the darker side.
Which is still valid, as you will tell by my favorites below.
Also because, (I swear I’m not a mood reader), but I went through a rough patch, and reading romance was THE last thing I wanted to do. They actually made me feel ill. Until that, all changed.
No, I am not being dramatic.
That being said, I have a new love for romance novels and find myself on the lookout for more of them to read. So please, do share your recs in the comments!
A Collection of My Favorite Romance Novels
This series came highly recommended from a dear friend and book lover – and while it took me AGES to finally read it, I am so glad I did. This whole series is fantastic, but Bittersweet will always be my favorite. I mean, who doesn’t love a large, gruff grumpy ex-football player!?
Goodreads
Lover Eternal is my ALL-TIME favorite book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I’ve read it at least 10 times – and it always punches me in the feels. Rhage has such a big heart, and his love for Mary seriously makes me melt.
Goodreads
I read Time Between Us YEARS ago; in fact, I think it was one of my first books read as a blogger. Or at least, within the first few months. This is a time travel romance, and it’s stuck with me over the years for many reasons. I loved the concept. I loved how the story was pieced together, and I love love love the writing.
“I don’t stay…anywhere. I visit. I observe. I leave. I don’t ever stay.”
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
This whole series, The Ravenels, is FANTASTIC! But. I loved the quiet Helen & Gruff Rhys. It’s so beautifully written and just romantic to its core. I will read epilogue after epilogue of these two!
Second chance romance for the win! Frankly, there are aspects of this book I don’t remember much of, but I remember the HOT SEXY TIMES and dirty talk. And how much I laughed while reading.
First Touch is dark erotica – but this book still haunts me 4 years after reading it. Not a bad haunting – but I think of these characters often, and the horrors these characters faced, yet survived. It’s not for the faint at heart, TRUST. It also has one of THE BEST cliff hangers, EVER.
Him was another book recommended by my dear friend. I put off reading it for a long time before finally giving in and reading it. And I read it in one sitting, that’s how addicting this story is.
What has stuck with me about Just One Lie is that it wasn’t just a romance, it was a journey of self-discovery, heartbreak, love, and happiness. I saw so much of myself in the main character and things I didn’t want to admit about myself then that I see now. Plus, the writing is terrific.
Well Met is my most recent romance read on this list. I actually listened to the audio, which made me love it even more. It’s a fun, entertaining read about “enemies to lovers” during a Renaissance Faire. If I could describe this book in one word, it’s adorable.
Held Against You is the type of romance I love. It’s on the darker side. It challenges your thinking and makes you see between the lines, and forces you to understand that not everything is black and white. And that everyone can find love.
(side note: I am also blurbed in this book!)
“Apart, we were lost and tumbling through life. We were only surviving, getting by. Together we’re a mess – a beautiful, promising mess.”
Held Against You by Season Vining
Honorable Mentions
Let’s Chat
- What are some of your Favorite Romance Novels? Do we have any favorites in common?
- Share a romance novel I MUST read!
Check out this fantastic list of upcoming romance books by my good friend Nick. This is what I will be referencing for weeks to come!
Tonyalee is an avid reader, gym junkie, coffee addicted workaholic, and blogger. Be sure to follow on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for random shenanigans.
24 Comments
rHAGE’S BOOK IS STILL MY FAVORITE. hE IS my bdb BOYFRIEND! mOST OF MY ROMANCE ARE OF THE PARANORMAL VARIETY AND i LOVE CHARACTERS WITH A BIT OF SMART ASSY SARCASM TO THEM.
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict recently posted…Bookish Life Budget ~ 2020 Goals & January Update
RIGHT! I love him so much! LOL
HIM!!!! ♥♥♥♥
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I knew you would appreciate that!
I adore the True North series and Griffin was such a great character. Grumpy for sure, but such a strong connection with (and love for) his family. Time Between Us was wonderful. Did you ever read the follow up – Time After Time? Him is one of my favorites EVER. I have so much love for Jamie and Wes. In fact, their novella (Him #2.5) just released today and I can’t wait to listen to it tonight! Well Met was one of my biggest surprises last year. I went the audio route, too, and thought it was excellent!
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Love Edition
Yes, I adore the series too. I really liked Jude’s story as well, I loved the drama haha
Yes, I did read Time After Time!
Wasn’t the audio of well met just perfect?!
Great list! So many of these authors are authors I need to try, and I literally just finished Well Met last night and had so much fun with it. I’ll definitely be reading more Jen DeLuca!
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It’s so fun, right!? I loved the whole faire aspect of it.
That’s quite a list. Enjoy your reading. https://pmprescott.blogspot.com/2020/02/ttt-021120.html
Thanks! You too.
What a lovely list.
My TTT .
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Thanks! I will check yours out!
I’m not big on romance novels, so I don’t have any recommendations for you. Thanks for sharing yours, though!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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I wasn’t for a long time, either. It grew on me!
I really like romance but I’m very fussy – they have to also intertwine with either chick lit, women’s fiction, comedy, or psychological thriller, and I don’t like the romance to be the main plot point really unless it’s literary – I much prefer an underlying theme to be the focus. I love Irish examples in particular, like Marian Keyes!
I was that way too! I didn’t like reading just romance novels for the longest time, so I get it.
The fact that you included Well Met on your list gives me the warm and fuzzies. That book was so fun and I still smile thinking about it!
Jessica at Booked J recently posted…Series Spotlight: Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
I haven’t read any of these yet, but Well Met is on my tbr. Thanks for sharing these! <3
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I gotta admit, romance is my least favourite genre. I am not a romance fan in books or in real life haha! but these look like fab recommendations for those that do love a bit of romance in their life!
Jenny in Neverland recently posted…How To Improve Sleep ft. Kanturo Blue Light Glasses
I haven’t read any of the collection but all of the honorable mentions. Too Weird. Deeper by Robin York is one of my very favorites.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Series on Saturday: Sports Romance
I’ve never heard of any of these books – I’m shocked!
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Great suggestions! I’m adding Time Between Us to my to-read list 🙂
You just can’t beat a good romance novel can you!?
I have to admit, I’m not a fan of romance or erotica to be honest! However, saying that, Well Met sounds like it could be a cute book!
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