What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with diving into a great love story (or three)? Our staff wrangled up a few of their most recent favorite romances to share on this loving holiday.
Other WRAL Top Stories
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Christy says: "India Holton has written a laugh-out-loud, fan-yourself steamy, historical romance with The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. I read this in 8 hours. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. It’s fantastical, it’s got pirates, Queen Victoria casts some magic spells, and did I mention it’s steamy? 10 out of 10- I absolutely recommend!"
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
From Ginger: "The Charm Offensive is a fun romance with lots of humor that's not at the expense of the characters. A reality show handler who believes in love despite ... everything meets his match in the tech-mogul 'prince charming' who is appearing on the show strictly because his publicist promised it would help his image. As Dev convinces Charlie to be open to possibility and walks the would-be prince through practice dates, sparks begin to fly, but not with the princesses competing for Charlie's hand. Pressure mounts from the show's creator to conform to the show's formula - with the future of their careers on the line, will they be willing to step outside the fairy tale (and the reality show) to find something real? I adore both main characters - Dev is a sweetheart with no fashion sense from Raleigh, NC; Charlie is a ball of nerves who has never felt romantic attraction and thinks about spreadsheets to calm himself. And I love that the book centers vulnerability as a prerequisite to true connection. I'll be recommending this one."
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
tee says: "This clean rom-com is the perfect treat for anyone looking for a book to make them smile. We follow Jas, the eldest child of Cambodian refugees, as she juggles familial expectations, new romance with an old crush, and revamping her family’s donut shop. Sweet, heartwarming, and feel-good."
BONUS! Check out this romance when it publishes in June!
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
From Ginger: "A fun summer read - I finished this in a day. The title character Nora writes formulaic but fun romance scripts, but after her husband leaves her and their kids, she sells a weightier script that brings Hollywood heartthrob Leo into her orbit - but only for a short time before he disappears back to LA. The narrator's career allows the author to lampshade the moment that per narrative convention Leo is supposed to return... and doesn't. Nora feels greater heartbreak over a short relationship than the long death of her marriage and attempts unsuccessfully to hide her heartache from her kids, establishing interesting interior conflicts and a resolution that feels more earned than the version where the hero always returns after the commercial break."