Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of April!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
The only thing that makes a great romance novel even better is excellent audiobook narration, which can take the reading experience to a whole other level. A 5-star read can come to life with the right narration, making it entirely immersive. Whether it's duet narration or simply a stellar performance, there are so many different... Continue Reading →
The only problem with having an embarrassment of ARC riches? Deciding what to read first! I’ve got lots of very exciting ARCs on my Kindle at the moment, with too many books and too little time. I’ve read a few of these, can’t wait to dig into others, and am looking forward to checking out plenty... Continue Reading →
It's no secret that second chance romance is a tough trope for me - nine times out of ten, I get frustrated by the messy histories and struggle through. But when one works for me? It's MAGIC. Whether it's a relationship that unraveled, a marriage that's in trouble, or a fling that becomes more the... Continue Reading →
Grumpy heroes are my jam most of the time, but sometimes I'm in the mood for opposites attract romance done a little differently - and that's where golden retriever meets black cat energy kicks in. One of my favorite rom com movies growing up was 10 Things I Hate About You, and it's got the... Continue Reading →
Recently, Goodreads posted a list of Readers' Top 100 Romances of the Last Three Years (found here), so I thought it'd be fun to go through the list and talk about which I've read, which I'm interested in, and which aren't for me. As a lover of contemporary romance, I was not surprised to see... Continue Reading →
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of March!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
It's become a tradition of sorts for me to put up a new sports romance recommendation list this specific week every year, when everyone's got the big game on their minds. It's certainly not a hardship; sports romances are popular for a reason - it's a versatile sub-genre that incorporates many, many different tropes. From... Continue Reading →
When I told my husband what the topic of this week’s rec list was, he was like, “shouldn’t we be discouraging that type of relationship?” Well, yes, if romance books were the real world. There’s generally an inherent sense of “wrongness” to boss/employee romances, which is one of the staples of the trope. The characters... Continue Reading →
If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would’ve told you that I don’t like women’s fiction. I’m a romance girl; I love love, and that’s what I like to read about. However, I consume so much romance that I’ve found myself drawn to romance/women’s fiction crossovers, because they usually feature insightful, unique storylines,... Continue Reading →
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of February!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
It was surprisingly easy to put together this list, because the forced proximity and sexual tension that arise from roommates situations in romance books is often deliciously addictive. When you stick two very different people together, there's always some friction, and I love the build as they find their way together. There are also so... Continue Reading →
2022 is behind us, and it’s time to start thinking about all of the new romance books coming in 2023! There are some really awesome books on the way in the next several months, with new releases from some incredible authors. I don’t know about you, but my TBR is already FULL of exciting new... Continue Reading →
In case you missed it! I shared reviews for my 20 favorite books of 2022 over the holidays, and now I've got everything I loved about 2022 romance novels, all in one place! Looking back, I really did have a fantastic reading year – there were so many great books that ALMOST made my top... Continue Reading →
Who doesn’t love a good trope? Everybody’s got a favorite, from tense enemies to lovers reads to playful fake relationship romances. I’ve always got certain expectations when I start reading a story that plays up a trope, and the books on this list all exceeded those expectations. I’ve selected the two books that I think... Continue Reading →
It’s the end of the year, and that means it’s time to reflect back on the books that made an impact! I’ll be talking about my favorite reads of 2022 this month – including the best romance series I read this year. Some of these started up in 2022, some of them came to a... Continue Reading →
Kindle Unlimited readers, this one’s for you! 2022 is coming to a close, so it's the perfect time to look back on the best books I read in Kindle Unlimited this year. There is a GREAT selection of romance books in the program, and some of my favorite books of 2022 are included. I LOVE... Continue Reading →
It’s the end of the year, and that means it’s time to reflect back on the books that made an impact! I’ll be talking about my favorite reads of 2022 this month – including the 5-star romances. The contemporary romance novels on this list have all received 5-star ratings from me this year. I’ve included... Continue Reading →
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of January!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
Neighbors to lovers might not be the first trope I think of when discussing popular tropes in romance novels, but it is one that delivers again and again. Initially, I wasn't sure that I'd have enough solid recs to put together a list with this theme, but I ended up being overwhelmed by the choices!... Continue Reading →
It’s almost the end of the year, but there are still some VERY exciting new releases on the way. December is a quiet release month, though there is a great mix of books from some of my favorite authors as well as some by authors whose work I’ve been meaning to try. It can be... Continue Reading →
Is there anything more entertaining than reading about a playboy hero who is in WAY over his head? Used to quick and easy hookups, manwhore or former player heroes are out of their comfort zones when they have to work to get the right girl. Whether they fight their feelings or fall hard and fast,... Continue Reading →
It's just the start of the holiday season, but there are plenty of great holiday romance novels out there to get you in a festive mood. This is your guide to this year’s most exciting holiday releases, from short and sweet Christmas novellas to full-length romances that give a nod to the season – this... Continue Reading →
When two characters are stuck together, forced to work out their differences when they would've otherwise run and avoided the intimacy, magic can happen. Whether they're feuding co-workers, former lovers in need of a second chance, or semi-strangers who have found themselves living together, there are SO MANY different scenarios where forced proximity can shine.... Continue Reading →
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of November!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
Grumpy/sunshine romances and alphahole heroes often steal the spotlight, but cinnamon roll heroes know how to bring the swoon! There's nothing quite like a nice guy, a good guy hero who is warm and loving. Whether he's mellowed out after becoming a single dad or has always been upbeat and kind, cinnamon roll heroes are... Continue Reading →
Whether you call it enemies to lovers or office romance with a little extra sexual tension, workplace rivals romance is a beloved trope for a reason. I love the friction that comes from two people who are fighting - or fighting their feelings - and the forced proximity is always a win. The heroes can... Continue Reading →
Kindle Unlimited readers, this one’s for you! We’re just finishing the third quarter of 2022, so it's the perfect time to look back on the best books I’ve read in Kindle Unlimited so far this year. There is a GREAT selection of romance books in the program, and some of my favorite books of 2022... Continue Reading →
I do way too much browsing on Amazon, and I stumbled across some preorders that excited me. Happenstance by Tessa Bailey - November From #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer comes a romantic comedy about an accidental relationship between three smitten men...and one commitment phobic woman. Elise Brandeis has never... Continue Reading →
My favorite kind of audiobooks - those performed in duet, so that you can distinguish between the characters! Audiobooks have come a long way in the last several years, shifting from books that are simply read aloud to true audio performances. I remember trying to get into audiobooks a few years ago, and I just... Continue Reading →
Do I judge books by their covers? Absolutely! How else am I going to know when to stop scrolling online? I'm the kind of mood reader who enjoys trying out tons of new-to-me authors, and covers are one way of narrowing down my options. And there's a certain artist who has been catching my eye... Continue Reading →
I focus on new releases in romance the rest of the week, so Throwback Thursdays revisit book recommendations from years past. This week’s topic is unexpected roommates! When I put this list together originally, I remember being worried that I'd have enough good recs to fill the list... and then it started overflowing. Apparently this... Continue Reading →
Is it ever really "just a hookup" in romance books? Nope! But these couples can fool themselves into thinking that there are no strings attached when they bang for the first time. I’m usually more of a slow burn girl, but every once in awhile I’ll devour a smokin’ hot romance novel that doesn’t take... Continue Reading →
Rom coms: readers love them so much that the majority of romance books get (mis)labeled that way! It can often be difficult to tell if the book you're reading is going to be a genuinely low angst, feel good (hopefully funny!) read, which sometimes makes reading rom coms frustrating. Sometimes I just want a book... Continue Reading →
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted one of these, so I thought I’d talk about some of the books that DIDN’T work for me, for one reason or another. That’s almost as good as reviewing them, lol, and I think it’s important to talk about. There’s no shame in setting aside books that aren’t working for you... Continue Reading →
If you’d asked me a year or two ago, I would’ve told you that I don’t like women’s fiction. I’m a romance girl; I love love, and that’s what I like to read about. However, I consume so much romance that I’ve found myself drawn to romance/women’s fiction crossovers recently, because they usually feature insightful,... Continue Reading →
Something about small town romance novels just hits a little different - in a good way. While the stories still feel contemporary and modern, there's often a laidback, easygoing feel or a cast of characters that make the setting feel more like a community. Whether the book is part of a series of interconnected standalones... Continue Reading →
The only problem with having an embarrassment of ARC riches? Deciding what to read first! I’ve got lots of very exciting ARCs on my Kindle at the moment, with too many books and too little time. I’ve read a few of these, can’t wait to dig into others, and am looking forward to checking out plenty... Continue Reading →
July may have been a rocky reading month for me, but I ended up with some GREAT reads. I think it says a lot that my Best of July list only includes one July release, lol, though three of these came out in June. I had to look a little harder than usual for books... Continue Reading →
I never get tired of fake relationship romance novels, don't ask me why! There's something about this trope that works for me, and it's just so versatile. The forced proximity, the crossing of boundaries, the faked intimacy - that's all part of the fun. Faking a relationship is often the catalyst that sparks crazy chemistry,... Continue Reading →
Whether the heroine is banging the boss or feuding with a co-worker, office romances have tons of potential for extreme levels of sexual tension. Workplace romance novels also feature popular tropes of every type, from enemies to lovers, billionaires, flings, fake relationships, forbidden boss/employee situations, and rivals romances. There's often great bickering that feels like... Continue Reading →
Over the holiday weekend, I shared the reviews for my 15 favorite books of 2022 (so far) individually. This is the complete list, showcasing just how varied those picks are! From traditional to indie, debut to fan favorites, mafia to rom com, there's quite a range here. But each book is a contemporary romance novel... Continue Reading →
An embarrassment of reading riches made it VERY difficult to put this list together, lol! I couldn't limit myself to six books this month, so I've got six top picks and a few honorable mentions. My top picks were all really great reads, and the honorable mentions would've easily made the list in a less... Continue Reading →
Kindle Unlimited readers, this one’s for you! We're just finishing the first half of 2022, so it seems like the perfect time to look back on the best books I’ve read in Kindle Unlimited so far this year. There is a GREAT selection of romance books in the program, and some of my favorite books... Continue Reading →
Let’s talk about romance audiobooks! Usually, people either love or hate them. A few years ago, I would’ve said that I hated them. The only ones I’d listened to were stiff and formal, and they did nothing to enhance the story. That is absolutely not the case these days! Audiobooks are becoming more popular than... Continue Reading →
There's just something about a good father that is incredibly sexy, so it's no wonder why the single dad trope is so popular! These romances often feature found families, heart-melting moments, and plenty of swoons. I love it when a single dad finds his perfect complement, and the family scenes can be downright adorable. Though... Continue Reading →
I discovered just how popular the grumpy/sunshine romance trope is when I posted my original recommendation list (found here) - and there's a good reason for that! The opposites attract dynamic provides plenty of opportunities for sexual tension-filled friction, and the build in intimacy just feels even more satisfying once a lovable grump has exposed... Continue Reading →
Whether it's the hot jock and the nerdy girl, the tutor and the troublemaker, the playboy and the virgin, or something a little more complicated, college, high school and new adult romances can be filled with tropes. Some of my favorite new adult romances are tropey goodness. Others are a little more nuanced, with stories... Continue Reading →
There was an embarrassment of reading riches in May, so my biggest problem was choosing which books would make this list! This month, I really focused on setting aside books that weren't working for me and giving my full attention to those that did - whether they were new releases or retro reads. And that... Continue Reading →
It's been awhile since I've posted one of these, so I thought I’d talk about some of the books that DIDN’T work for me, for one reason or another. That’s almost as good as reviewing them, lol, and I think it's important to talk about. There's no shame in setting aside books that aren't working... Continue Reading →
Whether it's a best friend's little sister, a bodyguard, a co-worker, or someone else's girl, there are so many different scenarios where a relationship can be forbidden. Not every forbidden romance needs to be super angsty, but the trope inherently has an element of sexual tension and the kind of push/pull dynamic that keeps your... Continue Reading →
Single dad romance books get most of the love, but is there anything more heart-melting and adorable than a commitment-phobic hero becoming part of a family? Whether it’s a charming playboy falling for a woman AND her kids, a grumpy hero becoming fiercely protective of the family he’d love to call his own, or an... Continue Reading →
I focus on new releases in romance the rest of the week, so Throwback Thursdays revisit book recommendations from years past. This week’s topic is office romance! I'm always up for a good office romance, whether it's a boss and employee, feuding coworkers, or business rivals - they all make for great dynamics. There's often... Continue Reading →
This is basically its own trope in romance novels - the (typically grumpy or broody) hero harbors deeper feelings for the heroine than he'd care to admit, the playboy is stopped in his tracks by the right girl, or the regular guy is smitten from the start. Whatever the situation, there's something so immensely swoony... Continue Reading →
I focus on new releases in romance the rest of the week, so Throwback Thursdays revisit book recommendations from years past. This week’s topic is fake relationship romance! I read a LOT of fake relationship romances (I can't seem to get enough of them), so I've got tons of recommendations featuring the trope. I posted... Continue Reading →
Kindle Unlimited readers, this one's for you! We just finished the first quarter of 2022, so it seems like the perfect time to look back on the best books I've read in Kindle Unlimited so far this year. There is a GREAT selection of romance books in the program, and some of my favorite books... Continue Reading →
I've always been a big fan of fake relationship romance novels, so it's no surprise that I'm drawn to books that take the trope even further by bringing marriage into the mix. The stakes are higher when the couple is married, so they often find themselves working through issues that would've ended a simpler relationship.... Continue Reading →
Rich jerks are a huge trope in romance novels - heroes who might be a little moody, broody, and grumpier than the average guy. When I told my husband that billionaire romances are a common trope, he blinked and looked at me like he must've heard me wrong (you mean millionaires, right? Millions aren't enough?),... Continue Reading →
I'd call February a disappointing release month overall, but there were still some great new books! This month, my favorites were immediately obvious to me, so I've separated these into two groups - Top Picks and Honorable Mentions. My two favorite new releases were EASILY Lease on Love and A Ticking Time Boss. Lease on... Continue Reading →
I don’t know about you, but I love a good sports romance. From football to hockey, baseball and more, sports romances often play up the tropes for light and sexy reads. Fake relationships, flings, second chances, friends to lovers - they're all represented here. Sports romances are often interconnected standalones that are part of a... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite tropes is the opposites attract romance, which can be used in so many ways to make a book shine. And the best combination of all might be the grumpy/sunshine romance, featuring a moody, broody hero and an upbeat heroine who makes his world a little brighter. The trope often shines in... Continue Reading →
I focus on new releases in romance the rest of the week, so Throwback Thursdays revisit book recommendations from years past. This week’s topic is sports romance! I read a ton of sports romance, so I post a fresh list of recommendations right around this time every year. The new list is on the way... Continue Reading →
I focus on new releases in romance the rest of the week, so Throwback Thursdays revisit book recommendations from years past. This week's topic is my list of 15 Awesome Opposites Attract Romances! The list is from early 2020, and the trope is one of my favorites. I'm impressed by how many of these authors... Continue Reading →
Jeeves Reads Romance 