10 Romance Books I Read And Loved in 2021
I exceeded my goal of reading 35 books in 2021 by 4 books. When I reached 35 books, I didn’t want to stop. When I decided to compile a list of my 10 favorite books, I realized I read mostly romance books. The English Literature major inside me cringed a little in shame. I still fight with this voice inside me that says I should only spend my time reading the classics. But where is the fun in that? The reason I read 39 books this year is because I chose to read for fun. I wanted a mental escape, a slice of self care sprinkled throughout my day as a stay at home mom. If you’re looking for tips on how to start reading, check out my blog, “How To Read Books When You’re Busy.”
Reading became a joy instead of a job, which is what it felt like during my college “only the cannon” years and post-grad obsession with self-help books. If you want to enjoy reading, find a genre you enjoy. Who cares if the books are “penny dreadfuls” according to my mother. Another thing I noticed that I read 10 of the books about couples pretending to be in love actually fall in love with each other in the end. I guess I liked the theme of opposites attract.
If I Never Met You—Mhairi McFarlane
At first, I thought this book was too slow. I wanted to “hurry up and get to the good stuff.” When Laurie’s boyfriend of 10 years suddenly breaks up with her for no “good reason,” Laurie attempts to make him jealous. Add in that they both work at the same law firm, her ex’s new girlfriend is pregnant and Laurie chooses to fake date the office playboy…it’s a little messy. I really liked Laurie as a character. You just want her to win. I also liked that Laurie is a mixed Black woman who learns to accept herself and eventually find a love better than the one she lost. There’s a scene where she decides to embrace her natural hair, which became turning point for her in the book. I personally felt seen through Laurie’s hair experience. I can’t wait to re-read this one.
Spicy Level *
The Flatshare —Beth O’Leary
Stand out features/themes: Sudden break up means need for an affordable apartment fast, which means accepting a flat share agreement. Fall in love through post-it notes.
Why I like it: This is another “opposites attract” motif, however, it didn’t feel tired. Tiffy and Leon get to know each other through notes since their arrangements means they each get the apartment in shifts. They don’t actually meet in person until halfway through the book. Together they navigate breakup with a possessive ex and help a brother awaiting a trial for a crime he didn’t commit. There are a few unexpected twists they keep them apart but it’s all worth the wait.
Spicy level **
Seven Days in June —Tia Williams
Stand out features: Black love, overcoming familial neglect and abuse, Black success, living with chronic illness, single parenthood, foster care, mother-daughter relationships, generational scars, love lost and possibly reignited AND a fiercely independent and beautiful female lead.
Why I liked it: ALL THE ABOVE. Ryan and I listed to this as an audiobook on a road trip. It sparked deep conversations between us about privilege, race, chronic illness and soulmates. Eva is a single mom & romance author who reunites with her long lost love and best friend. You journey through their past together and learn why they soulmate connected abruptly ended. The question is after all this time are they really meant to end up together. This book has just so much that I love. It’s unlike any book I read this year. It stays with you long after you finish it. The love scenes are hot hot hot.
Spicy Level *****
The Proposal —Jasmine Guillory
Stand Out Features: can a steady hook up end up being the one you’ve been waiting for? // Black and Latino leads // public proposal // friends with benefits
Why I liked it: I liked seeing that this isn’t a book about love at first sight. Instead it’s about friendship and intention. I found this book charming. It was nice to follow a love story where both characters have to work on accepting love and giving it freely. They are both flawed but their flaws make them relatable.
Spicy Level ****
People We Meet On Vacation —Emily Henry
Stand out features: ideal summer read, modern “When Harry Met Sally”, two best friends who can’t get their timing right, two best friends who vacation together, a sudden rift in their friendship on a trip.
Why I liked it: “When Harry Met Sally” is one of my favorite movies. I liked how this book jumped between years when Poppy and Alex took their vacations together. You learn that their unlikely friendship starts dissolving due to lack of real communication. Will they or won’t they is heavy as their chemistry intensifies after each trip until…it stops.
Spicy Level ***
It Ends With Us —Colleen Hoover
Stand Out Features/Themes: domestic violence // true love // father-daughter relationships // mother-daughter relationships // abuse // forgiveness // self-reliance // marriage
Why I liked it: If you read one book from this list, let it be this one! I don’t want to spoil it by sharing why I love this book. Just read it and message me so we can discuss it together.
Spicy Level ****
The Soulmate Equation —Christina Lauren
Stand Out Features/Unique theme: a new dating software will match you with your ideal soulmate based on your DNA make up—what could go wrong but also what could go right?
Why I liked It: A witty single mom’s DNA matched with a pompous Mr. Darcy-like geneticist, both are asked to “test” whether their connection is real. Do they fall in love because of the science of because they are actually in love? Read it to see what’s really real.
Spicy Level ****
The Wedding Date — Jasmine Guillory
Stand Out Features: interracial dating // fake fiancé // body image // wealth & status
Why I liked it: I’m embarrassed to admit that this is the first book I read featuring an interracial couple. My love for this book might be because I felt seen in the main character as a Black woman in a relationship with a white man. Even so, it’s an easy sultry read. I was happy to learn that most of Jasmine Guillory’s books are interconnected so you don’t have to truly say goodbye to any characters.
Spicy Level ****
The Bride Test —Helen Hoang
Stand Out features/themes: Autism // language barriers // immigration // Green Card marriages // the American- Dream // family pressures for marriage // loving someone on the spectrum //. Vietnamese culture // single mothers // fake fiancé
Why I liked it: Helen Hoang knows how to write love scenes so if this makes you cringe, pick another book from this list. I loved this book for the character Khai and Esme. They are complex and likable. Each working to fit in to a world not designed for them. I have a brother on the Autism Spectrum and this book helped me understand him better. This book is special to me for that.
Spicy Level *****
November 9 —Colleen Hoover
Stand Out Features: Colleen Hoover keeps you on your toes. You don’t expect what happens next. There’s a fire and a manuscript…
What I liked About it: Again when it comes to Colleen Hoover, you should read her books without knowing too much about it. I don’t want to give anything away. Just read it and then tell me so we can talk about it.
Spicy Level ***
