Romance Reading Recommendations

Since Valentine's Day is coming up we polled our friends for romance reading recommendations. And because we have a podcast and a blog we are sharing them with the world. This list includes hallmark vibes, fantasy force marriages, spies, ghosts, and just a normal friends to lovers trope. Good luck and Happy Reading!!

 

• There are four books in the Flashpoint Series.
• Sexy secret missions set in Africa.
• The author is a former archaeologist bringing authentic details to the adventures 
• If you only want to read one book from the series, Firestorm is the standout favorite with its complex spy mission in the Congo and the tension-filled romance between CIA operative Savannah and Special Forces soldier Cal.
• The series pairs Green Berets with strong female characters (archaeologists, aid workers, CIA operatives) who are just as capable as the military heroes, creating partnerships based on mutual respect rather than rescue dynamic.

• Three books plus novellas
• This fantasy series centers on an arranged marriage between different species (human and Kai), creating a unique enemies-to-lovers dynamic where both find each other physically repulsive at first but forge an unexpected friendship that turns to love.
• Slow-burn romance with witty banter
• It subverts typical arranged marriage tropes by having the couple communicate honestly and support each other from the start.
• Said to be a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling done right

• Six books in the series
• This small-town cafe romance features the classic grumpy x sunshine dynamic with farmer Logan and cafe owner Jeanie.
• While some might call it cheesy, the series is cute and easy to read, making it perfect comfort reading with its cozy small-town vibes that give serious Gilmore Girls energy but with more spice.
• The series has been described as having "all the makings of a top tier Hallmark movie that happens to include a nice dash of spice," balancing sweet romance with steamy scenes that surprised readers expecting only wholesome content.
• Each book in the series can be read as a standalone and follows different couples in the fictional coastal town of Dream Harbor, with recurring characters and quirky town traditions (including a mayor who has prophetic dreams) connecting all the stories.

• Book 3 in the Part of Your World Series. While can be a standalone it is better if the books are read in order since there's connections to prior books.
• This fake dating summer fling.
• Readers praise the witty banter, emotional depth, and the way it handles heavy themes like abandonment and mental health alongside the romance.
• The story features a summer lake house setting in Minnesota, a Reddit meet-cute, and unexpected family drama.

• This paranormal romance features Florence, a ghostwriter (who literally sees ghosts) working in a southern small-town funeral home, returning home after a decade away to bury her beloved father.
• The book delivers a unique ghost love story when Florence's new editor Ben shows up as a ghost at her family's funeral parlor, leading to a romance as she helps him with unfinished business while planning her father's funeral.
• Balances grief, humor, and hope.
• Reviewers loved the publishing industry commentary, the quirky small-town funeral home setting, and how Poston handles both the emotional weight of loss and the lightness of falling in love without making either feel cheap or rushed.

• This standalone contemporary romance follows friends-to-lovers through terrible double blind dates, with quirky female main character (Hazel) and mellow Josh balancing each other out perfectly.
• There's witty dialogue and fast-paced storytelling, making it an easy binge read that readers often finish in one or two sittings.
• Hazel is unapologetically herself (described as a "human tornado" and "chaos personified"), while Josh is the calm, responsible twin brother of Hazel's best friend, creating natural chemistry through their opposing personalities.

• Nine books so far, but also a Starz series.
• This historical fantasy series features time travel, sending WWII nurse Claire Randall back to 18th century Scotland where she meets Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and becomes torn between two husbands in two different centuries.
• Read in order for the best experience but also these are giant doorstoppers.
• The books combine historical romance, adventure, fantasy, and family saga elements into sweeping epics.

• Five books in the series
• This sports romance series features British footballers (soccer players) from a tight-knit family who play professional soccer in London, with the first book following Camden Harris, who meets his doctor Indie in a forbidden patient/doctor romance.
• Some reviewers call it "Grey's Anatomy meets British football" with its combination of medical drama, sports action, sharp banter, and steamy romance
• Each book can be read as a standalone but features recurring characters and family dynamics.