No surprise here—romance is one of our favorite genres. From non-fiction and fiction, to cheesy or tasteful, a good romance novel will leave you wanting more page after page. But we get it, with so many options on the shelves, it can be hard to choose which book to pick up first—lucky for you, we’ve got it all figured out! Here are four must-reads for you and your gal pals that believe love—and a good romance novel—conquers all!
“The Right Swipe” by Alisha Rai
The first novel in the author’s Modern Love series, “The Right Swipe,” explores modern-day connection and romance in the digital world to bring you a steamy romance that will surely leave you HOT! In this novel, two rival dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom, but in sync in the bedroom.
After being ghosted by a handsome fella who woos her one magical night, Rhi decides to focus on her career while also catering to single gals everywhere by creating the dating app of a lifetime. Rhi thinks she’s over her old fling until she finds herself sharing a boardroom with him—only to realize he works for her biggest competitor. What happens next? Well, we don’t read and tell!
Our take: Dating can be tough—and navigating the world of online dating can be even tougher. This book does a great job of showcasing the ins and outs and ups and downs of online dating while featuring a strong, sex-positive, female lead who will have you saying “YES QUEEN” as you turn each page.
“Red, White, and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales? We highly suggest you pick up a copy of “Red, White, and Royal Blue” to find out! What starts as an altercation between America’s First Son, Alex, and the Prince of Wales, Henry, turns into far more than either of them could have ever imagined. Full of exciting twists and turns, this novel explores the dynamics of same-sex relationships and sets out to answer the question, can love save the world after all?
Our take: If you identify as a “hopeless romantic,” buy this book NOW. Red, White, and Royal Blue will leave you feeling a range of emotions—everything from laughter and tears to everything in between. Most importantly, representation matters, and we have nothing but love for an honest, vulnerable, and binge-worthy book that thoughtfully and respectfully explores the dynamics of same-sex relationships, while also leaving you wanting more and more!
“Regretting You” by Colleen Hoover
If you’re looking for a romance novel that isn’t overly romantic, but will still warm your heart, this is it! Regretting You is a novel about family, first love, grief, and betrayal. This book explores the ever-changing dynamic of a mother-daughter relationship and discovers the potential of finding comfort in a person of the opposite sex.
Our take: We love the way this book focuses on two different romances, but also effortlessly weaves together the stories of mother and daughter by showcasing their trials and tribulations. Regretting You captures all of the good things you want out of a romance novel while also sprinkling in plenty of plot twists to leave you wanting more—yes, please!
“Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren
It’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all, right? If this sentiment holds for you, Love and Other Words is a must-read. Told in alternating timelines between then and now, this novel will take you through the growing pains of the characters and explore how rekindling a friendship can open the doors to love.
Our take: If you believe in second chances and the idea of soulmates, this book is a no brainer! We loved to see how the relationship between the main characters developed and grew through the years. Warning: we may, or may not have, finished this book in one day—it was THAT good.
No matter the month, a good romance novel never goes out of style. The next time you want to feel butterflies or want to binge read a swoon-worthy novel, grab one of these from your local bookstore—you won’t regret it!
