Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
It's that time of year again! I like to share my single dad recs around Father's Day, because it's such an evergreen trope and there are so many great ones. 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 in romance... Continue Reading →
For the second month in a row, I am having trouble narrowing down my list of favorites, and that is a phenomenal problem to have! April and May are some of the busiest release months of the year, so it's really no surprise that there have been a ton of awesome new releases. And they're... 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 hot slow burns! I read (and loved) Karla Sorensen's newest this week, and it reminded me of one of my favorites from her - Forbidden. The slow burn storylines, steady... Continue Reading →
Whether it's a brother's best friend, a best friend's little sister, a best friend's brother, or some other similar scenario, "sibling's best friend" romance books always make for great reads. It's a versatile trope that encompasses a variety of situations, and the combination of history and tension makes each love story a little more interesting.... Continue Reading →
I had a particularly great reading month filled with stellar rom coms, and I can't seem to narrow down my favorites - so I'm not going to! Each book on this list delivered a 100% unique, 5-star reading experience, and they each have very different vibes and personalities. The most emotionally devastating of the bunch... Continue Reading →
An underrated trope, hidden identity romance books add tension and conflict to stories. The reader is often in on the secret, or they know that there's something yet to be revealed, so they anticipate the moment when the other shoe drops. That adds to the bingeable quality of these romances, and makes them more dynamic,... Continue Reading →
As much as I struggled in March, I did end up reading some EXCELLENT books! There may have been more misses than usual, but the hits were really good. I loved the playboy and playgirl roommates romance, The No-Judgment Zone, which was another phenomenal read from new author Ellie K. Wilde. The sexual tension and... 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 →
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 →
As much as I struggled this month, the good books ended up being REALLY good. I'd be shocked if at least one didn't end up on my Best of the Year list, and multiple wouldn't be out of the question. So it was an excellent month in that regard, even if the 5-star reads were... 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 →
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 →
Sleeper, Charmer & Troublemaker I've been a longtime fan of funny lady Kayley Loring, and the Name in Lights series is the one that really cemented my love for her work! I rated all three books in this lighthearted rom com series as 5 stars, and I have a special love for Sleeper. They're all... 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 →
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 →
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 →
5-star reads were few and far between for me this month, making them feel even more special when I found them. After loving Elsie Silver's Heartless in October, I went a full four weeks(!) without a 5-star read, which is unheard of for me. It was only after another reader recommended Amanda Gambill's Honestly, I'm... Continue Reading →
It's the blog's 3 year anniversary, and time really does fly when you're having fun! When I created my website at the end of 2019, I had no idea what was in store for me. I'd been reading and reviewing a LOT for about two years at that point, and it seemed like a natural... 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 →
I read some excellent books in October, with two that are clear contenders for my Best of the Year list! Earlier this year, I read and adored Flawless by Elsie Silver, and I was convinced there was no way that the next book in the series would earn my love in quite the same way.... 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 →
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 →
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 →
This time of year always makes me think back on the books I’ve read so far and revisit my TBR to see what else I want to check out before the year is over. I’ve read some excellent romance novels in 2022, and I’m sure that there are more to come! The contemporary romance novels... Continue Reading →
You'll be seeing some of these books on my Best of 2022 list for sure - August brought some excellent reads. Both Love on the Brain and Thank You For Listening made my Best of 2022 (So Far) list back in June after I posted my sneak peek reviews, and they remain some of my... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
There were some AWESOME new romances released in April! While the month was super uneven overall, the books that worked for me really worked, and I'm betting they'll leave a lasting impression. And my favorites were all SO different that it'll probably take a few months before I know which was my absolute top pick.... 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 →
Redemption seemed to be the theme of the month, and I'm not complaining! This is one of those months where I would've anticipated a completely different group of books making my Best of the Month list, so the surprise discoveries were that much sweeter. I've got two new-to-me authors, two newer-to-me authors, and two rising... Continue Reading →
What a month! There were a TON of new releases in March, and for a few weeks it felt like more quantity than quality. After a strong start to the month, I felt myself getting pulled into a slump mid-month because I was reading so many new books, but not finding a lot of 5-star... 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 →
It ended up being a solid reading week for me! While the new releases were a little sparse this week, I read a few that hit the right notes. I seriously enjoyed the light and sexy office romance, A Ticking Time Boss, which has reminded me why I like Olivia Hayle's writing. I also revisited... 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'm going to be catching up on January releases for the next several months, because there were SO MANY new romance books released this month! Nearly every one of my favorite authors released a new book in January, so there were tons to choose from - and I ended up reading many excellent books. There... 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 →
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 long to bring the heat. Whether it's a one night stand that turns into a relationship, a no strings fling that starts to feel like more, an arrangement that's supposed to be... Continue Reading →
Whether it's a dark romance book, a college romance novel, or a rom com, one thing women readers seem to agree on is that the classic combination of the bad boy and the good girl just works in romance novels. Of every post on my blog, there's one that's always been the most popular: my... Continue Reading →
It's Christmas weekend, and hopefully that means you've got some time to put your feet up, settle under a warm blanket, and enjoy a hot book! lol, or a sweet seasonal romance, whatever you choose is fine by me. Christmas may or may not look a little different this year, but there are plenty of... Continue Reading →
If you're a romance reader, especially a contemporary romance reader, then a Kindle Unlimited subscription is essential. There are so many fantastic authors out there whose work is only available on Amazon, and Kindle Unlimited is an economical option for checking out their work. If you're a voracious reader, then it will also save you... Continue Reading →
It's a great time to fill up your audio library! This post is all about audio for romance lovers. You can easily purchase audiobooks a la carte, or subscribe to Audible for credits towards new releases and access to a back catalog of great books. Audio add-ons don't require a subscription at all, but if... Continue Reading →
Jeeves Reads Romance 