Lit Hit List: Recent Romance Reads - Part 4
One of my favorite “traditions” of pandemic winter is waking up early on a weekend morning — you can confirm with Shannon, I’m the worst kind of morning person — making a cup of coffee, and getting back in bed with a brand new romance novel. There’s just something about it that feels really indulgent and comforting, and it’s something that I plan to continue, even as the weather gets less forbidding. I can usually get through 1-2 books per weekend by doing this, which may also account for the over-abundance of romance reviews from me recently! Today, I’m doing quick looks at some of the ones I’ve read over the past few Saturdays and Sundays, and I hope that you find one that you want to take to bed with you.*
“The Dating Plan” by Sara Desai (Bookshop | Kindle) - 3.75/5
I read and enjoyed “The Marriage Game” last summer, and so when I saw that “The Dating Plan” was an option on Book of the Month Club, I immediately added it to my cart. Sara Desai has a gift for taking somewhat outlandish situations, and not only making them seem commonplace and realistic, but also fun and charming. It’s true talent, and it’s on display here: we have a fake romance, family drama, an inheritance on the line, and of course, meddling matchmaking relatives. What’s not to love? This is a great romance, but also a wonderful look at South Asian culture and how it’s translated into the United States. Fair warning: you may end up with a 9 AM craving for paneer if you follow the Elizabeth timeline.
“Eighty Days to Elsewhere” by KC Dyer (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4/5
It may be heresy to admit this on a book blog, but I’ve never read Jules Verne’s classic “Around the World in Eighty Days” — I’m not sure why, but it’s definitely a gap in my own personal literary history. That said, I definitely love the premise and at this point in the personal pan pizza, I am looking for as many opportunities to mentally travel as possible, so I impulsively added this one to my bookshelf recently. Well, I am so glad that I did. This trip around the world, following the Verne’s plot, was delightful, challenging, and thought-provoking. The author successfully brought in political and economic issues without detracting from the entertaining nature of this book. And it was entertaining, but not tooooo steamy.
I’ll admit the premise is a little bit farfetched, and I couldn’t let myself get too deeply entrenched in why this would be a job interview/maybe a contest? because it took me out of the story. If you pick up this one, I recommend you do the same and just let the adventure happen. Have I already preordered the sequel? Come on, I’m really predictable.
“Paris is Always a Good Idea” by Jenn McKinlay (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4.25/5
So, I didn’t take a gap year, but I do love the idea of it — taking off from adult responsibilities to have adventures and make mistakes before you settle down to be a grown up. Tbh, that opportunity may be wasted on 20 year olds; I want to do it now (even in pre-panini times), and so getting to walk alongside Chelsea as she tries to recreate that magic felt like a good compromise. After years building a career and facing some shocking family news, Chelsea decides to go to the three big locations of her gap year to find the last three men she really loved. That sounds like enough of a story on its own, but add in a sexy coworker who ends up next door to you in Paris, and you have a real winner, imo.
I will be honest, I started looking at flights to France after this, even though that’s just torture with current guidelines in place. April 2022 in Paris, anyone?
“Much Ado about You” by Samantha Young (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4/5
Going through the exercise of this review is showing me that I certainly gravitate towards certain authors, and after not totally loving her last book, I’m happy to add Samantha Young to that list. (BRB, requesting the whole Dublin Street series from the library). Who among us hasn’t dreamed of running off to England to manage a bookstore and fall in love with a cute local with a sexy accent? Evie gets to leave out that daydream, and we are lucky enough to go along for the ride with her to England (and tbh, on Roane - yes, it’s definitely steamy). I adored the premise, I want to move to this village like yesterday, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind falling in love with a hot British man — at this point, I’d even settle for a holiday fling. Beyond that, every resident in this village was just wonderfully drawn out, and I felt like this story wasn’t just about the love story between two individuals, but between Evie and the whole community.
“Serena Singh Flips the Script” by Sonya Lalli (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4.25/5
Honestly, I waffled a little bit about putting this one on the list because yes, there is a romance component to this new read by Sonya Lalli, but the love at the heart of the story is really that between two female friends. Maybe I’m just overly sympathetic at this point in the pandemic, but as a single lady, sure, I miss the idea of romance — but I really, really miss getting to hang out with my best girlfriends on a regular basis. Sonya does an incredible job expressing the nuances, the highs and lows, and the real soulmate connections we have with our friends when telling the story of Serena and Ainsley, and while yes, Serena did end up with a hot man, I was less enthused by that — I was happier that she had Ainsley. Like the other books of Sonya’s I’ve read, the side characters and less prominent plot threads were also a delight — and if you, like me, live in the DC area, you’ll have fun reading about the neighborhood!
Fun fact: having this one on my TBR inspired me to read her backlist a few weeks ago in a similar exercise!
“Love at First” by Kate Claybourn (Bookshop | Kindle) - 4/5
“Love Lettering” took me by surprise with how much I loved it — and Shannon did, too! — so of course, I was eagerly awaiting this new release. I wasn’t sure how she could top Meg and Reid’s love story, but I have to say, I think she did here with Nora and Will’s. The premise — that Will fell for Nora’s voice as a teenager — and the reality — that Will inherits an apartment in Nora’s building and wants to change everything — intersect in one of the sweetest romances I’ve read in a long time. Reading Kate Claybourn’s books feels warm and cozy, like a hug, as she creates such a nice escape from reality. The characters are fun, the endings are happy, and the writing is superb. I can’t wait to see what’s next from one of my favorites in this genre.
*Yes, the double entendre is totally intended.
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