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Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl invited us to share a Valentine’s Day/Love Freebie this week. I’m not a big romance reader but I do pick up the genre occasionally. I also don’t object if books in other genres have a strong romance angle. So here are my top ten romantic books. (Links go to my review, if I’ve written one, or to Malaprop’s bookstore)
Geekerella by Ashley Poston–This young adult retelling of Cinderella makes my geeky heart so happy!
Soulless by Gail Carriger–A funny, smart, steampunk romance is a win for me.
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, read by Deanna Hurst–A main female character who loves food? Who looks sensible on the outside but has a streak of fun on the inside if someone will only look for it? That’s the romance for me.
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry, read by Fiona Hardingham–I’ve mentioned this book on a list recently. A book about books and love is the way to my heart.
Persuasion by Jane Austen–I mentioned this last week as one of my favorite classics. But Captain Wentworth’s love letter at the end seriously makes me weak in the knees.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig–This dual timeline book works much better in the past than in the present for me but the whole 12-book series kept me laughing and rooting for each new “historical” couple.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion–Main character Don’s logical approach to love cracked me up!
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, read by Carly Robins–The plot is reminiscent of a gender-swapped Pretty Woman but also features a main character who has Asperger’s syndrome. Who could resist?
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen–I love this local-to-me author for a lot of reasons. She writes about friendship, personal growth, found families, and complicated family relationships. But there’s usually a romantic element as well so I’m including her books here.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden–I’ve read this book several times but it’s been years since I last picked it up. I don’t know how it would hold up now but I loved it back in my twenties.
That’s my list! Have you read any of these? Which books did/would you choose? Link up every Tuesday at That Artsy Reader Girl!
10 Comments
Loved Geekerella, The Rosie Project, and The Kiss Quotient made my list this week, as well! I still need to read Memoirs of a Geisha! Great post. <3
I loved The Rosie Project, Soulless, and The Secret History of the Pink Carnation! All on audio, I think. Garden Spells wasn’t a favorite of mine, but I love Jane Austen!
I’ve read 4 of the books on your list and would agree that they are all wonderful!
The Rosie Project was really cute and totally agree on Persuasion! Love that both book and the film version. Fun post!
Yay Geekerella! I really enjoyed that one. Also, I’m not sure yet if Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel or not, but it’s certainly up there. I enjoyed it a lot.
It’s been years since I read Memoirs of a Geisha and Garden Spells, but I know I enjoyed them. I LOVED The Rosie Project, but the follow-up wasn’t nearly as good.
Do you like library-setting books? I remember you recommending Bookish and the Beast before, which I do intend to try. I’ve loved Garden Spells, Soulless and Persuasion from this list — and Pink Carnation and Geekerella are going on my TBR. Happy TTT!
Love this list. Geekerella, Bet Me, and How to Find Love in a Bookshop all need to go on my wish list. Thanks for sharing.
http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2021/02/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-romance-novels.html
I’ve heard about Garden Spells for so long. It’s a book I should look for, I think.
Great list! Garden Spells and Memoir of a Geisha have been on my TBR for YEARS, I need to give them both a try. I love Soulless and Persuasion too! I think Persuasion is Austen’s best novel and it’s been overshadowed by P&P for too long.