August was Read A Romance Month so I decided to share recommendations in Instagram Stories. Now that the month is over, I've put them all in one place for anyone who is interested. I hope this will encourage you to give romance a try or if you're already all-in, that it'll introduce you to some new favorite authors.
I've included content warnings for anyone who needs them to the best of my abilities. If you need more specifics, please feel free to ask.
Day 1: Strawberry Summer - Melissa Brayden
Genre: Contemporary Romance, FF Romance
A second chance romance, Maggie and Courtney fell for each other in high school and run into each other after years apart. Nostalgic, emotional, funny.
CW: death of a loved one, grief
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 2: Reluctant Royals series - Alyssa Cole
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Royal romance at its finest. It's impossible to pick a favorite book or novella in this series. Alyssa Cole continues to amaze and delight.
Read my full review of A Prince On Paper.
Buy A Princess In Theory: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
CW: past death of parents, foster care, abandonment, epidemic, poisoning, hospitalization
Buy A Duke By Default: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
CW: xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments, past racial profiling by police, roofied drink
Buy A Prince On Paper: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
CW: references to past parental abuse, death of a parent, grief, bullying
Day 3: The Dragon and the Pearl - Jeannie Lin
Genre: Historical Romance
Set in China in 759 AD during the Tang Dynasty, the high stakes between courtesan Ling Suyin and General Li Tao will have you wondering how they will ever overcome them. Spoiler alert: they do.
CW: grief, threat of violence, threat of sexual assault, assassination attempts, war, childhood poverty
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 4: The Last Wolf - Maria Vale
Genre: Paranormal Romance
The most fascinating shifter book I’ve ever read. The world-building is unparalleled! Instead of humans turning into wolves, wolves turn into humans and this nuance changes everything.
CW: violence, stillbirth, off-page attempted rape, massacre in prologue, lame leg
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 5: Teach Me - Olivia Dade
Genre: Contemporary Romance
A layered, nuanced seasoned romance featuring characters in their early 40s. Rose is an ice queen to Martin’s cinnamon roll soul. I really wish I’d had history teachers like them.
CW: classism (which is countered), past child abuse (physical and emotional), past death of a parent, grief, divorce, scheduled school lockdown drill, past infidelity, past workplace sexual harassment, childhood poverty, fatshaming (which is countered)
Buy the book: Amazon (affiliate link) | Barnes & Noble
Day 6: The Chai Factor - Farah Heron
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Enemies to lovers. Set in Canada, a Muslim engineer heroine crosses paths with a barbershop quartet baritone, who just happens to have moved into her place. Some of the best character growth I've read this year.
CW: Islamaphobia, xenophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, closeted characters, divorce, reference to past racial profiling, sexual harassment, reference to side characters’ substance abuse, reference to past child neglect, unnecessary use of “spastic” as descriptor, eating disorder, hospitalization for eating disorder
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 7: Riven - Roan Parrish
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MM Romance
Rock star romance about Theo, who is in a spotlight he never asked for, and Caleb, who ran away from that life in order to maintain his sobriety. Book 2 is also amazing.
CW: addiction, recovery, anxiety
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 8: Desert Guards series - Holley Trent
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Bananas premise with rich rewards: three were-cougars kidnap their potential brides. It would be a horror show of a plot if it wasn’t in more capable hands. I inhaled these books!
Read my full series review with content warnings.
Buy the book: Amazon
Day 9: Hold Me Down - Sara Taylor Woods
Genre: Erotic Romance
College student heroine + doctoral student hero in a Daddy/little miss BDSM relationship that also explores the relationship between her Jewish faith and kink. So steamy, so good.
CW: cutting, depression, anxiety, references to racism, references to anti-Semitism, concerns of partner violence, shoddy counseling
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 10: Whispers duology - Ada Harper
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, LGBTQ Romance
Fascinating premise, spectacular writing, phenomenal character growth. All the badass women you could want. Book 1) Olivia + Galen = combative and swoon-worthy yearning. Book 2) Queen Sabine + spymaster Lyre = changing loyalties and angst.
Read my full review of A Treason Of Truths.
Buy A Conspiracy Of Whispers: Amazon| Barnes & Noble
CW: grief, oppression, misogynistic society, violence, murder, attempted assassination
Buy A Treason Of Truths: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 11: Dreamers series - Adriana Herrera
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MM Romance
Favorites of 2019. The series follows four Afro-Caribbean friends in NYC and Ithaca as they chase after their dreams and it is EVERYTHING. Intersectional feminism at its finest. They will make you hungry.
Read my full review of American Dreamer.
Read my full review of American Fairytale.
Buy American Dreamer: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
CW: racism and xenophobia (this is countered), religious homophobia (including a scene where a pastor tries to make the gay character “repent”), family cutting ties due to religious homophobia, cancer/death of a family member, grief
Buy American Fairytale: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
CW: domestic violence, references to microaggressions and racism
Day 12: Twisted Wishes series - Anna Zabo
Genre: Erotic Romance, LGBTQ Romance
Rock star romance at its finest. It's queer and kinky and centered around some of the most intriguing characters you'll ever encounter. Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at life for musicians on the road.
Read my full series review with content warnings.
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 13: A Wicked Kind Of Husband - Mia Vincy
Genre: Historical Romance
Enemies to lovers with banter galore. I loved the sense of humor and watching Joshua and Cassandra band together against their foes, even as the resisted falling for one another.
CW: past death of a father, past death by suicide, grief, past death of a spouse (building collapse), past death of children (illness), past death of a brother (stabbing) past bigamy, infidelity (side characters), pregnancy, miscarriage
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 14: Second Chance - Jay Northcote
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MM Romance
Loveliest love story, per usual with Jay Northcote. A trans man reconnects with his former best friend when they both move back to their small British hometown 20ish years after high school.
CW: depression, alcoholism, past self-harming behavior, past car accident driving while drunk, past child abuse, teen character who overdoses and self-harms resulting in hospitalization, transphobia, deadnaming, misgendering
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 15: Breaking Character - Lee Winter
Genre: Contemporary Romance, FF Romance
Fake relationship! Hollywood behind-the-scenes! Slow burn! All the catnip. Actresses, closeted lesbians, and complete opposites: Bess is a snobby ice queen while Summer is a literal burst of happy sunshine. Theirs is a slow burn that more than pays off.
CW: toxic friendship, Hollywood diet culture, closeted characters, Summer mimes shooting herself in the temple, Kill Your Gays trope on TV show
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 16: New Camelot series - Sierra Simone
Genre: Erotic Romance, LGBTQ Romance
MMF King Arthur retelling and one of my all-time favorite series, this cemented Sierra Simone as an auto-buy author for me. Must be read in order.
CW: war references, past death of loved ones, kidnapping, battle scenes, kidnapping, threat of sexual assault, rape via roofie, past unintentional incest, death by suicide, perceived death of loved one, grief
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 17: Wanted and Wired - Vivien Jackson
SO MUCH YEARNING but also funny and clever. Heron is one of the sexiest heroes who is also part robot. Mari is a badass who fiercely protects those she loves. Plus, a game-changing twist I never saw coming! (I did not track content warnings when I read this.)
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 18: The Doctor’s Discretion - EE Ottoman
Genre: Historical Romance, MM Romance
Doctors William Blackwood and Augustus Hill could not be more opposite. Sparks fly! When a trans patient is involuntarily committed at the hospital, they decide they must break him out, regardless of their own risk.
CW: transphobia, homophobia, racism
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 19: For Real - Alexis Hall
Genre: Erotic Romance, MM Romance
Age gap romance that subverts the trope! Young Toby is an inexperienced Dom to 37 year old submissive Laurie. Fantastic character development and exploration of grief. Alexis Hall is consistently excellent.
CW: death of a loved one, grief
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 20: Eastside Brewery series - Mia Hopkins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Former gang members fresh out of prison deserve love too. You won’t be able to help rooting for Sal and Eddie as they make their way in their respective books. Their women are fierce! Hopkins explores prison life, parole, class, and gentrification in some nuanced ways.
CW: gang culture, shooting, violence, alcoholism, casual drug use, addiction and recovery, grief, reference to death of loved ones by car accident, reference to past domestic violence
Read my full review of Trashed.
Buy Thirsty: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Buy Trashed: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 21: Tikka Chance On Me - Suleikha Snyder
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Bearded motorcycle club enforcer + good girl working at her family's Indian restaurant = banter, nerdery, so much heat! Suleikha Snyder has become my go-to when it comes to novellas. The characters crackle on the page and the tight plot keeps me turning pages. I marvel over how she does so much with so little.
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 22: Camellia Clock Cycle series - Taylor Brooke
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, LGBTQ Romance
ETA 6/15/20: I no longer recommend this series due to problematic author behavior that has come to light.
Day 23: Surrey SFS series - Nicola Davidson
Genre: Erotic Historical Romance
The Surrey Sexual Freedom Society is a boon to its members. These novellas are steamy and fun and provide an important window into the time period Davidson presents. Each book features different pairings and kinks.
CW for My Lady's Lover: parter violence, marital rape/sexual assault
Buy the book: Amazon
Day 24: Dare To Love A Duke - Eva Leigh
Genre: Historical Romance
Irish heroes are my favorite, in fiction and real life, so Tom had me at hello. But Lucia was just as impressive: her work ethic, determination, and compassion for the poor really make an impression. Plus, she runs an egalitarian sex club. What's not to love?
CW: grief, references to the illness and subsequent death of a family member, reference to being shunned by family and abandonment, reference to the limited options for girls and women in the lower class, sexual harassment, bullying, blackmail
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 25: Caroline’s Heart - Austin Chant
Genre: Western/Historical Romance, Fantasy Romance, LGBTQ Romance
Such a sweet novella! Roy is a cowboy with a heart of gold. Cecily is a witch and her grief after the death of her lover five years prior is a living, breathing thing. Chant explores this dynamic with such compassion as Roy's presence upends everything Cecily has worked for.
CW: altercation leading to gunfire, death of a loved one, grief, homophobia, transphobia
Buy the book: Amazon
Day 26: Every Last Breath - Juno Rushdan
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Covert operative Maddox thought Cole died nine years ago, only to find he’s very much alive. Now she needs his help to prevent a pandemic from happening. A second chance romance filled with twists and turns!
CW: assassinations, attempted murder, violence, kidnapping, hostages, threat of pandemic, past death of loved ones, past late-term miscarriage (cervical incompetence), reference to past panic attacks, grief, psychiatric hospitalization due to depression and grief, prejudice/racism, brief reference to past diagnosis of child leukemia (appears to be in remission), reference to 9/11
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 27: His Cocky Valet - Cole McCade
Genre: Erotic Romance, MM Romance
Age gap BDSM romance between the disgraced son of a dying CEO and the valet assistant he hires to help him get the company back on track. Great exploration of power dynamics and super angsty.
CW: hospice, declining/dying family member (bone cancer), grief, alcohol and drug use, car accident
Buy the book: Amazon
Day 28: Idlewild - Jude Sierra
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MM Romance
Set in the Detroit restaurant scene, grieving restaurant owner Ash fires everyone in one last attempt to keep the place going, hiring Tyler in the process. Phenomenal character growth, gorgeous prose, heartachingly good.
CW: past death of spouse (drunk driving car accident), grief, genderqueer closeted character
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice
Day 29: Burn Down The Night - Molly O'Keefe
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Criminal Max and con woman Joan are two complex, gritty trainwrecks who delight in self-sabotage. But underneath all that is a desire to be better. The tension crackles, whether Joan is kidnapping a bleeding Max or Max is getting under Joan’s skin. A slow, delicious burn.
CW: arson/bombing, kidnapping, injuries, cult, abuse, past death of loved ones, drugs, childhood poverty, motorcycle club
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 30: The Lawrence Browne Affair - Cat Sebastian
Genre: Historical Romance, MM Romance
Pure soul Lawrence, Earl of Radnor, believes he’s mad and wants to be left alone with his inventions. Con man Georgie double-crossed his boss and, needing a place to hide out, poses as Lawrence’s secretary. And then they catch feelings!
CW: anxiety, panic attacks, mental illness, past death of father and brother, past death by suicide, past rape, threat of murder
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Day 31: The Rose - Tiffany Reisz
Genre: Erotic Fantasy Romance
Magical, steamy adventure centered around Greek mythology. For her graduation, Lia receives a Rose kylix which can bring sexual fantasies to life and mysterious businessman August offers to be her guide. Wildly hot, incredibly good.
CW: reference to rape, consensual nonconsent/rape fantasy, blackmail, bad first time
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Honorable Mention: Have Mercy - Shelley Ann Clark
Genre: Erotic Romance
Singer Emme needs a new bass player before the band goes on tour and she absolutely cannot sleep with Tom. Steamy slow burn and gem of a story. Great role reversal with an inexperienced Domme and a sub who takes care of everyone but himself.
CW: addiction, misogyny, industry sexism
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
