ThriftBooks loves love! In February, we’re indulging in our favorite comfort reads—romance novels. We even commissioned a hot-off-the-press survey about it. Conducted by Talker Research, our poll looks at the traits, tendencies, and tastes of romance fans like us. Who do readers picture when they’re reading romance novels? What are the least favorite tropes? Read the blog at ThriftBooks for all the juicy details!
Valentine’s Day may have passed, but there’s still time for romance. Especially with yourself! Romance novels these days focus on the relationship between the main characters, of course, but a lot of writers want to represent the fullness of life. They’re interested in the wholeness of the person and how two (or more) people can come together. Characters who have idiosyncrasies and their own ambitions are easier to invest time in as a reader. When you really care about a character, you’ll be more interested in seeing how their quirks butt up against their romantic interest, and you’ll root for both of them. In the interest of rooting for a whole character and wanting them to prioritize themselves, you should also take yourself out on a date with a new romance read.
I love going on a solo dinner date with a book, and I think it’s a great activity for anyone looking to give themselves a special day. If you have a hang-up about reading a romance novel in public, you can make a quick, DIY book cover out of a paper bag or go the ebook route. But you don’t have to! Romance novels are on the rise in popularity and they’re taking over, so I encourage reading whatever you want in public. Enjoy reading any of these excellent recent romance reads, and bring a bit of romance to your day by taking yourself on a date!
Contemporary Dating
The Love Lyric (The Greene Sisters #3) by Kristina Forest
Single mom Iris Greene is running at full speed to stay on top of her job and raise her excitable daughter, Calla. One night at her sister’s wedding, Iris connects with a beautiful man. But when that same man—who is Angel Harrison, an R&B singer—shows up at Iris’s beauty company for a brand ambassadorship, they have to balance their growing attraction with professionalism.
Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar
Even if they don’t want it, Meena and Nikhil are given a second chance to make their marriage work. After three years of no contact, Meena goes back to Texas to get Nikhil to give her a divorce so she can move on with a fellow lawyer she’s started dating. But when she finally sees Nikhil again, she’s forced to stay with him through a storm and can’t help but think about all the reasons they fell in love in the first place.
For One Night Only by Jessica James
Valerie Quinn has been a strictly solo artist for years, but when her TV show gets abruptly canceled, she has to re-assess. Valerie decides to re-form the pop-punk band that launched her to fame, the Glitter Bats. Reuniting the band means facing her ex, Caleb. In the lead-up to the concert, fans start writing a story that Valerie and Caleb are back together. Since it’s good press, they go along with it. And fake dating always stays fake, right?
The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich
The beautiful southern European country of Mitanor has a new prince, but he never even knew he was one. Jamie Johnson goes to Mitanor for the summer to meet his father and understand his new life. They recruit northern European prince Erik Von Rosenborg to teach Jamie how to be a royal. Erik has always felt passed over for his older brother, while Jamie never expected to be thrust into the spotlight. The two form a deeper connection than expected through the course of prince lessons.
I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
In a twist that could be a side plot on Succession, Denz Carter needs a fake boyfriend to ensure he becomes the new CEO of his father’s company, after his father abruptly decides to retire. Denz tries to force his best friend and roommate to be his fake boyfriend, but when Jamie leaves him high and dry, he has to instead go to the ex who broke his heart. He and Braylon agree that it’s a pure business arrangement, just for convenience, but their hearts aren’t so easily convinced.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
The queen of STEM romance dives into sports romance! Ali Hazelwood’s latest is very spicy; two star Stanford athletes start with sex before they get to emotions. Scarlett Vandermeer is laser-focused on improving her diving after her injury. She doesn’t expect to find that the Olympian swimmer Lukas Blomqvist is into her, let alone into the same kind of sex that she wants to have. They start hooking up in the lead-up to competitions but quickly form a deeper connection.
Historical Romance
All the Painted Stars (14th Century Oxfordshire #2) by Emma Denny
If you’ve read the first novel in this series, One Night in Hartswood, you’ll be excited to find out more about Raff’s younger sister, Lily Barden. When her best friend Johanna is made the prize in a tournament, she disguises herself as a knight and fights for her hand. Lily and Jo then have to quickly get out of town and settle into a small village. But they can’t run forever, and Lily’s never one to back down from a challenge.
A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander (March 11, 2025)
If you’re looking for queer historical romance with a transmasc lead, your prayers are answered! Lord Christopher Eden lives a private life away from the center of London’s social life, and that’s how he likes it. However, he learns he has to marry to keep access to his family’s fortune and maintain his lifestyle. When he relocates to London, he enlists a new valet, James Harding. Instead of pursuing women, Christopher starts falling hard for James, but they’re both hiding in a way and need to find a way to be together.
Fantastical and Adventurous Romance
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming
Dorothy Valentine is about to be abducted by aliens when she and a lion escape in an escape pod, and that’s not even the weirdest thing that ends up happening. She was trying to finish her PhD, and now she’s on a dinosaur planet. She meets two hot aliens while trying to survive, Sol and Lok, and can’t resist falling for either of them. Now, she has to figure out if she even wants to go home or stay in the alien rom-com.
Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura
This romance feels inspired by Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, and Dr. Miriam Jacobs makes for an exciting lead. She’s leading an archaeological expedition in the Amazon to the Lost City of the Moon. The journalist who joins them, Rafael Monfils, seems to be getting in her way at every turn. He’s got his own agenda on the trip, but Rafa and Miriam can’t help their attraction.
While you’re looking for books to take on a date with yourself, you can also peruse the best romance of 2024, the best-selling romance of all time, and influential romance novels over the last 100 years.
Read the original article here