The 10 Best(?) Romance Books for Readers Who Just Want to Escape the World for a Bit
It's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine. Especially these books.
Earlier this month, the New York Times published The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Given the Times’s well-known literary bent and my own more…commercial tastes, I expected to have read maybe five of the 100 winners.
Y’all. I’ve read one. (Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Which is in fact great!)
I’m not saying you can’t or shouldn’t go through the Times’ list. I just figured there might be more people out there who approach reading the way I do: as a leisure activity. Don’t get me wrong, I love learning, even book learning. But the real world can be enough of a dumpster fire. I don’t need to be extra traumatized as I’m nodding off to sleep.
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Interestingly, while I’ve never been a big “literary fiction” reader, I also wasn’t a big romance reader…until I accidentally wrote one. Once I realized what I had (sometime in 2022), I embarked on a crash course in the genre that would publish my book. I started listening to podcasts, reading blogs, and picking up anything that anyone with romance expertise recommended.
Friends, I’ve read over 200 romances since June of 2022. (Yes, I could listening as reading. And running is a great hobby to combine with audiobooks.) In that time, I’ve also identified what it is Iike in a book — and why I don’t tend to gravitate toward dark, heavy, “best 100 books” list types of books.
I present to you my personal top 10 list of books that are fun. That have likable characters. That have plots that move. And that I’ve picked up more than once, even under that kind of breakneck reading schedule.
I hope one of these can be an escape for you when you need it!
Today’s Countdown Clock
It’s July 25th, 2024. Time remaining to make reading romance part of a legitimate work day:
Click here for more about the countdown.
My Top 10 Fun, Escapist Romances
These aren’t in any particular order, but they are grouped into loose sub-genres so you can skim as you like.
The Rom-Coms
Stories with contemporary settings that made me laugh out loud.
![Covers for The Hating Game and Boyfriend Material.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9512f388-3710-4816-9da5-7dd12d5b9604_996x1500.jpeg)
![Covers for The Hating Game and Boyfriend Material.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff3e178d7-52af-415b-b3d4-3cc759e25023_333x500.jpeg)
The Hating Game (Sally Thorne) — The go-to starter romance. Rival coworkers Lucy and Joshua hate each other so much that they spend their days antagonizing each other through a series of passive-aggressive games. The stakes get serious when they are pitted against each other for a promotion. Suddenly, it’s win or leave. Or love. The banter between main characters Lucy and Josh is almost unmatched.
Boyfriend Material (Alexis Hall) — That thing about the “almost unmatched” banter? It’s an almost because Luc’s banter with absolutely everyone in this book is laugh-out-loud funny. And “nice, normal” ethical vegetarian Oliver, the titular “boyfriend material,” is no slouch either in this British fake dating romp that might spawn an addiction to RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The Contemporaries
Arguably also rom-coms, but with a little less wisecracking and a LOT more steam.
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F89e08329-8632-483e-81d7-afce27b801e9_1000x1500.jpeg)
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb5970dd6-3aeb-4ed8-9c52-1c3da4aa7985_986x1500.jpeg)
The Kiss Quotient (Helen Hoang) — When Stella, a brilliant mathematician who happens to be on the autism spectrum decides she needs more experience in the dating department, she brings her usual high level of logic to the problem. She hires a professional to give her lessons. Male escort and devoted son / brother Michael is almost impossible not to fall for in this gender-swapped take on Pretty Woman. The portrayal of high-functioning autism is as thoughtful and caring as you would expect from an author drawing from her own personal experience.
Beard Science (Penny Reid) — For an internet-famous baker, Jennifer Sylvester lives a shockingly-sheltered life in the small Appalachian town of Green Valley, Tennessee. Determined to ditch her “Banana Cake Queen” title, Jenn decides to blackmail the town’s most devious resident, Cletus Winston, into helping her do just that. I can’t remember exactly why blackmail is necessary (I think because Cletus believes he’s smarter than everyone, and Jenn needs to make sure he’ll take her seriously?), but these two are both verifiable geniuses who challenged some of my small town stereotypes.
The Historicals*
Books set in historic England…or (*)inspired by books that were originally set in historic England. Although technically Pride and Prejudice was a contemporary when Jane Austen wrote it in 1813.
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F36e6f067-a204-4db0-aad0-3fe5a8359f0e_947x1500.jpeg)
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F43a806f6-3f0d-4948-8159-67a34d88ec72_1003x1500.jpeg)
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F34d0a881-827f-4ea6-9f20-718526e96284_973x1500.jpeg)
The Duchess Deal (Tessa Dare) — I don’t read a ton of historicals (think Bridgerton balls and impressing “the ton”), but when I do, they are usually by Tessa Dare. The author brings a modern sensibility to Regency England that will resonate with any Shonda Rhimes fan. Heroine Emma is a seamstress facing a serious fund shortage when a duchess-to-be suddenly cancels her order for an extravagant wedding dress. Emma’s solution? Show up at the duke’s house wearing the dress and demand payment. His solution? One-up her by proposing they marry instead. He has just been jilted after all, and still needs an heir. This is another book with absolutely top-knotch banter.
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Sarah MacLean) —This was actually the first historical I ever read, which turned out to be fortunate, since it’s essentially a manual for the genre. It was the adult debut for MacLean, a lifelong romance fan and former publishing professional. She wrote it as an ode to the books she grew up loving, and it’s what the TikTokkers might call “tropetastic.” Recognizing she’s about to be relegated to the wall for good, spinster Callie decides to have a last gasp of sorts by working through a list of nine things a proper society lady isn’t supposed to do. Falling for notorious rake Ralston isn’t specifically on the list, but somehow he just keeps showing up. This is another one for readers who love the high-society setting but want 19th-century women to be a lot more empowered.
Pride and Protest (Nikki Payne) — I’ve talked about this one a lot, so I’ll try not to repeat myself. Technically a contemporary, this Pride and Prejudice update still features many, and I mean many, famous scenes both from the original text and various popular screen adaptations.
The Exotics
Books that call to my inner sci-fi/fantasy geek roots. These get increasingly “out there” as far as plot goes, so if you’re entirely new to romance, maybe don’t start here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22c1051f-900f-494c-b977-a1ddd0a85ac8_320x500.jpeg)
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc810e7b8-21f5-4217-823e-00e8488c3eac_1000x1500.jpeg)
![Covers of the books mentioned in this section.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbbe76984-698e-4ddc-8fd8-2ef38bd1ef7e_999x1500.jpeg)
Lover Revealed (J.R. Ward) — This pick is really for a massive series set in a version of our modern world where vampires don’t hunt or drink from humans, but they do wear black leather, stomp around in “sh*tkickers” and swear a ton. Naturally, they also mate for life and get wildly possessive once bonded. Lover Revealed is the fourth Black Dagger Brotherhood book, and features Butch, an alcoholic ex-cop with a thick Boston accent, and Marissa, a member of the vampire aristocracy. There is definitely some toxic masculinity in these books, especially the early ones, but the world is so richly developed that I inevitably fall in love with the characters anyway. I also love the way Ward shamelessly leans into current cultural references, which become wonderfully nostalgic when you’re reading the entries from the mid-2000s. I’m pretty sure this is the only romance series that mentions Dell Inspiron laptops by brand name. If you start this journey, push through book one, which is arguably the slowest.
Strange Love (Anne Aguirre) — This book is so hysterically funny that I would have put it in the rom-com section if the male main character weren’t an actual alien. Zylar, a sort of insectoid-looking dude, would be absolutely terrifying were he not so awkward that he is on his fifth and last chance to secure a mate through a Hunger Games style competition. Beryl is the human female Zylar accidentally abducts and then convinces to help him in the contest. Snaps is Beryl’s talking dog. (Well, he talks once Zylar gives him an alien translator.) No need to worry about toxic masculinity here — this book is casually and sweetly progressive in a way that only imaginary worlds can be.
Morning Glory Milking Farm (C. M. Nascosta) — For the most adventurous of readers, there is an entire sub-genre of romance known as “monster romance.” (I repeat, don’t start your romance journey here. DO NOT. START HERE.) I wandered into this particular corner of Romancelandia when every single major romance podcast went absolutely wild over this book. You see, hero Rourke is a minotaur. And heroine Violet is a technician at a plant that, uhh, uses minotaurs for pharmaceutical applications. It’s not exactly Violet’s dream job, but with an “undesirable” Masters degree and a mountain of student debt, she’s not in a position to be picky. If you can get past the weird factor, this book is actually a brilliant reflection of the ways our modern capitalist systems create some truly absurd scenarios. (We might not be milking minotaurs yet, but do I believe a pharmaceutical company would if there was money in it? Absolutely.)
I hope one — or many! — of these titles can be an escape for you when you need it. And in the meantime, if you have additional recommendations that I should consider for my own TBR (to be read) list, please let me know!