Yeah, you read that title right. I, Rosina from Lace and Dagger Books, the person who has claimed many times that they hate romance novels, is writing something on them.
I made a video like this before on my booktube channel before I stopped updating it. Basically saying that though I still prefer chick-lit, I understand that the genres are coming together more and more. And if I want to enjoy a good rom-com in book form, I’m going to have to start getting more into romance novels.
So, this isn’t a guide for me, but more a post to ask you guys to guide me towards romance novels. In future guides, I will be providing you guys with my expertise. But I thought this post might be a bit of fun. And, at the very least, hopefully, one that people will actually comment on!
Romance is a massive genre. There are many different sub-genres and so many different types of books you could look for. I know for a fact that I don’t like historical or paranormal romance. Both wind up frustrating me and, yeah, I’m better off just staying away from them. Also, anything too smutty or questionable.
All I want is a cute rom-com in book form. I love chick-lit as I like reading about these women’s lives with lots of humour, good friendships and I’m okay if they make me cry too. Just something fun and contemporary and easy to get through. I definitely prefer if the book only has one point of view in, but I know a lot of romance has both points of view in so I’ll still keep those in mind. But single perspective? Gimme.
Some romance novels I’ve read and enjoyed are:
- One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
- Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
- Loathe at First Sight by Suzanne Park
- Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
- Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
And on top of this list, some of my favourite chick-lit authors are Lindsey Kelk and Anna Bell. So, anything like those two is a definite win from me! Some of the books I’ve listed above, I’d definitely consider chick-lit, but I think I’ve seen other people say they’re rom-coms, so I’ve included them here.
I really want to try to get more into romance as I see so much love for it, and I feel like I’m missing out. But I don’t really know where to start.
So please help me out, in the comments below send me some recs for any romance novels you think I might like! I do have a few on my Amazon Wishlist so if you see one on there you think I’ll love then let me know so I can make certain to buy it when my ban is over!
How do you guys feel about romance novels? Do you have any of those recs for me?
Lace and Dagger Books 
We have similar taste! I know I’ve already mentioned Ten Rules For Faking It to you, but it sounds up your street! It’s got rom-com vibes but has strong friendships and focuses a lot on the protagonists personal life and mental health. It’s also not smutty in any way, just a cute little romance. I also enjoyed Beach Read for the romance but with more going on vibes, and I’m pretty sure that one’s only from the main protags pov, it’s been a while since I read it. That one’s a little bit more steamy though. Other books I’ve heard good things about and sound like you might enjoy (but haven’t read yet) are Spoiler Alert, The Hating Game, You Had Me At Hola, Well Met, A Sweet Mess, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, and If I Never Met You!
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I’ve actually preordered the e-book of Ten Rules for Faking It now so thanks for that! I’ve read You Had Me at Hola and it was okay same with The Hating Game. I’ve got Spoiler Alert, Beach Read and Well Met and I’m excited for the first and last. I’ll have to check out the others too so thanks!
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I have a theory that women that HAVE to make it known how much they hate romance novels have a bit of r/notliketheothergirls going on. You’re not like those silly romance-reading women. You’re a smart woman-you know….different than most women /s
When romance novels are disparaged, it’s often accompanied by a general disparaging of female sexuality-specifically the sexuality of older females. Comments like “romance novels are for bored, horny housewives” or “50 Shades is mommy porn”-there is this absolute derision for women over thirty daring to have sexual urges-the assumption is that these women are sexually frustrated and this is something to laugh at.
In short, you don’t have to like romance novels. But if you’re bragging about hating them, you just might hate women in general-and yourself. But you deal with this self-hatred by putting up separation between yourself and other women- by making sure everyone knows, you aren’t the typical woman. Not silly enough to read romance. And if you’re over 30, you’d never dare be horny. Nope, you know your place.
Look, maybe I have you all wrong, but I’m so damned sick of women shitting on romance and bragging about all the “male-dominated” genres they read. You don’t need to hate on the genres you don’t like.
And honestly, I hope you don’t read any romance novels. I have a feeling you’re doing it just to be snarky and prove to yourself you’re not silly and feminine enough to actually enjoy one.
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Mate, I read a shit ton of chick-lit and say that in it. I wouldn’t say I’m not like other girls. I just get bored of reading smut. The whole reason I’m posting this is that chick-lit and romance are coinciding now and I adore chick-lit which, yes, most people shit on. I even did a project on it and uni and write a lot of it.
I get your problem. I get annoyed with that over chick-lit but please, before you hate on someone, actually look into them. You’ll see a lot of chick-lit and some romance reviews on here already.
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I hope you enjoy them!
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I highly recommend The Flatshare & Beach Read! If you enjoyed Take a Hint, Dani Brown, you’ll enjoy the first one Get a Life, Chloe, if you haven’t read it already.
If you don’t mind sci-fi romance, Hold Back the Stars is great!
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I’ve got Beach Read in my TBR and I’ve read the others! I’ll check out Hold Back the Stars, thanks.
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I read in the comments you’ve got Spoiler Alert on your TBR, Amazing choice btw, but since you’ve mentioned you don’t really like smut I just wanted to give you heads up that the book does contain really mature content if that makes you uncomfortable.
Beach Read was all the rave in 2020, I haven’t read it but it sounds amazing. Sweethand by .N.G. Peltier and Kisses, Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle are all books that seem to be your cup of tea so check them out!
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I’ve actually since read Spoiler Alert and though the smutty stuff was a bit boring what annoyed me the post was the fandom stuff. It was s train wreck of a book. But thank you for letting me know, I appreciate it!
I’ve never heard of any of those books before so I’ll definitely be checking them out. Thank you!
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I write romance novels, currently working on a romantic suspense series. I think you would like anything by Janet Elizabeth Henderson. Her books are hilarious! One of my favorite authors.
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I’ve not heard of her before! I’ll check her out. Thank you!
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