Stacy Gold's Blog, page 4

RANDOM MUSINGS: MY FAVORITE ROMANCE THEMES

[image error]As a romance author, I’ve realized I have favorite themes I return to again and again.

While I have my favorite romance tropes (forced proximity, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, grumpy vs sunshine), certain themes recur in my books as well. It’s not something I do intentionally or plan ahead. It just keeps happening and I’ve now written enough to notice a few trends.

It might seem counterintuitive, writing primarily a smallassortment of favorite recurring romance themes. Except from those few themesextends endless possibilities. Don’t we all know people who have similar issuesor character traits to other people you know? Yet, they all make differentchoices and behave differently.

Romance characters are no different. And much like inlife, it’s all about their journey.

At its core, romance really is about the journey of two ormore characters from a place where they cannot find or keep true love, to aplace where they can. Regardless of what might be happening externally with theplot (lost jobs, kidnappings, hockey games, skiing, unruly pets, etc.), themain thru-line is the character arc from unlovable to loved and capable ofreturning love in a healthy way.

This one journey is different for every character, no matterthat they all end in the same place (Happy for now or happily ever after). So Ican give ten characters similar issues, but for different reasons, and everyjourney will be unique. Thus, I’m okay with my penchant for recurring themes.

So, what are the themes that recur for me?

Lack of agency. Good lord these characters won’t takeresponsibility for their own lives or happiness. They tend to either floatalong in a life that’s anywhere from depressing to reasonably fine, or letother people push them in different directions.

I love watching these wishy-washy, spineless, or overlylaid-back characters learn how to figure out what they want and go after it—whetherthat is love, orgasms, a new career or better job, a new lifestyle or home.

Fundamentally flawed and unlovable. No matter howconfident they might seem on the surface, or in some parts of their lives, whenit comes to love they’ve decided they’re not worthy. These characters truly believe,deep down, whether they admit or not (to themselves or anyone else), that theyaren’t deserving of love.

Something wrong with them that makes them unworthy of havingsomeone caring and supportive and loving who wants them to be happy. Somehowthey have to learn they are worthy of being loved, sometimes because of, andnot in spite of, their perceived flaws.

Screwed up priorities. This is what I call the “youcan’t always get what you want, but you just might find, you get what you need”theme (Thanks, Mick). For whatever reason, these characters have a checklist ofwhat they need in their lives and it’s ALL THE WRONG STUFF!

At some point they have to figure out they’ve got theirpriorities wrong and fix it. Often, true love is staring them in the face andthey can’t see because it doesn’t look the way they expected or wanted.

Emotionally unavailable.  Hello to all the people who only date casually, or have fuck buddies, or are currently celibate by choice. You’ve got your reasons. But at some point, characters who keep everyone at arms length need to work through their fear of getting hurt again—and whatever happened before—and let someone in. It’s scary, but it’s the only way they can find true love.

What themes resonate with you? Please do comment below.

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BOOK REVIEW: HOW TO STAY

Author Christina Mitchell has written a perfect friends-to-lovers romance with How to Stay.

What makes for a perfect friends-to-lovers romance novel, you ask? In this case, it’s simple (and oh so deliciously complicated)…

Mix two parts flawed, realistic characters with a character-driven narrative that makes you root for them without giving away all the backstory too early on. Oh, and add in plenty of sweet and snarky moments, evocative writing, a solid dash of sexy times, and the most perfectly rendered Boxer in the history of dogs in romance novels (at least the ones I’ve read).

Ms. Mitchell has managed to incorporate all of this and more into a story that sucked me in from the first page and didn’t let go.

Small town photographer Conor Ross is the kind of sweet, supportive man every woman deserves. But he’s got baggage. Rock star Adelia Winters is tough and scrappy and has her own baggage. Some of that baggage they created together years ago in that same small town. Neither is good at letting anybody get close — but it’s hard to keep your childhood best friend at arm’s length when you’re stuck together again.

This story has all the feels, and the kind of writing that swept me away and made me forget I was even reading a book. It’s so detailed and nuanced and thoughtful, it’s hard to believe this is a debut. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, and anything else Ms. Mitchell writes. Until then I’ll just have to read How to Stay again.

Buy this book now, but buyer beware… You will need to put your entire life on hold until you finish reading. Plus, you’ll need another day to deal with your book hangover.

So worth it, though.

About How to Stay by Christina Mitchell

It’s been fourteen years since rock singer Adelia Winters escaped the small town of Cherry Lake. But thanks to her father’s death (and punching the president of her record label #sorrynotsorry), she’s back and forced to face the secrets—and the best friend—she left behind.

Perfectionist Conor Ross doesn’t take chances. Not with his body, his photography career, and certainly not with relationships. One-hundred and sixty pounds ago, he’d taken a chance on love and it ended with his best friend breaking his heart on her way out of town. Never again.

Between whiskey hangovers and rock song sing-alongs, Adelia and Conor must confront their broken friendship and the passion still sizzling between them. If they can find a way to heal the wounds of the past, they might just have a second chance. But Adelia’s career is pulling her away, even as the town—and Conor—are calling her home.

From the Author:

How to Stay is an emotional, sexy, small town contemporary romance sprinkled with snark. This full length novel features a neurotic, beta in the streets/alpha in the sheets hero and a snarky, damaged rock star heroine. Oh, and a cute boxer dog, sarcastic diner waitress, funny teenager, and a swoon-y happily ever after.  

This book is the first in the Bad Girls of Cherry Lake series. 

WARNING: This steamy second chance romance will give you all the feels. Bring tissues.

The author isn’t kidding with that warning. Which is why you should buy, read and review How to Stay now.

 

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RANDOM MUSINGS: THE POWER OF DISCONNECTING

On the Power of Disconnecting and Spending Time in the Mountains

For almost three full days last week, my world was devoid of all the sounds and signs of modern human life. No cars. No TV. No Internet.

Nothing but the wind whooshing through the trees. The crackle and pop of the wood stove.  And the meditative whisper of our skis sliding against the snow when my husband and I left our backcountry yurt and ventured higher up into the mountains in search of powder turns.

We skied fresh powder each morning. Then, in the afternoons, we made food, and chopped wood, and read, and played Scrabble (I kicked his ass, as usual), and sat and stared out the single window at the snow falling. It was bliss.

Whenever I spend time—especially multiple days—away from civilization, I’m reminded of the power of disconnecting.

Maybe it’s growing up in Gen X that made the difference. I was a latchkey kid who spent summer days wading through city creeks filled with water moccasins and old shopping carts from morning until the streetlights came on. After dinner I went back out for flashlight tag until 11 o’clock at night.

I didn’t have a cell phone, or voicemail, or any kind of computer or Internet. My parents didn’t know where I was. Sure, Atari came out and I got addicted like any kid. For a while. But I always felt most at home outside in the woods.

It’s in that silence that I find myself. That I remember I’m a tiny flea. A speck on this planet. That in the grand scheme me and my problems are insignificant. Yet, at the same time, I am connected to something bigger and more powerful than myself. Those are the themes that run through my life—and my outdoor adventure romance novels. They ground me and keep me sane.

The Horrible Reconnect

Coming home to emails and social media and the latest horrible things in the news all conspire to steal away my peace and quiet and tranquility. It’s easier to overlook without the stark contrast of being unplugged for days.

I fight for it, though. Tooth and nail. Every single day.

I remind myself I need more long walks and hikes with my dogs. I plan more camping trips and more river trips and more mountain biking adventures. I put down the phone and walk away from the computer because I don’t need to be tied to those things to be happy. In fact, oftentimes being tied to them makes me less happy, not more.

So many people say they don’t like being outdoors. Or in the woods. Yet we too are animals who spent thousands of years living as a part of nature, not separate from it. We all need time outdoors. We all need to stare at trees or flowers or birds or bugs or streams and hear nothing but the wind riffling the leaves. The creak of branches. The caw of a crow.

We need a reminder that life isn’t lived on screens. It’s out there, outside the walls of your room or home or car. Go get you some.

Do you enjoy spending time unplugged in nature? If not, why not? If so, what’s your favorite way to enjoy the power of disconnecting and how often do you do it?

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RANDOM MUSINGS: WHAT MAKES A ROMANCE NOVEL GREAT?

What are the hallmarks of a truly great romance novel?

Thanks to the explosion of self-publishing and e-books, there are more books than ever available and at your fingertips. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a corresponding increase in really great romance novels. And I don’t mean in just self-published books. Some of my favorite romance authors are self-published.

Part of the problem may be traditional and self-published author’s efforts to keep up with the crazy-prolific publishing schedule of some indie authors. Because trying to put out that many books in a year can hurt quality.

I’ve always been a quality over quantity person, as both a romance reader and romance author.

While some people certainly write and edit faster than I do, it takes  me time to write a book that’s layered and emotional and real. The kind of book that sucks you in and takes you on a journey that doesn’t end until you finish the book at three a.m.

Sometimes, when I DNF another book, I think maybe I’m being too critical. Then I remember I’m equally as critical of my own writing (Which is why it takes me so damn long to write and edit a book.).

So, what makes for an unputdownable romance read?A unique voice. I love getting inside the head or experience of someone different from me. When an author has a unique voice, I’m transported to a different place and time and I get to live someone else’s life for a little while.More questions than answers, especially at the beginning. I do not want or need to know a bunch of backstory early in the book. In fact, for the better part of at least the first half, I only want little tiny dribs and drabs of backstory. Just give me what I need to understand the characters motivations over time but keep me guessing. It’s the lingering questions that make me turn pages in search of answers (Think season one of Stranger Things.).Every sentence, every scene, every word choice is written that way for a reason. In a great book, nothing is superfluous. Every single detail adds to the richness of the setting, the depth of the characters, or the arc of the plot. When this isn’t the case, stories tend to be redundant, clichéd, and/or boring.The writing flows smoothly. I adore a book that’s so easy to read I don’t even realize I’m reading until I reach the end and stop. I want to be lost in the world the author has created and not stumbling over awkward sentences or noticing redundant information. If I’m shaken out of my reading trance more than a couple times because I’m somehow confused , I’ll stop reading that book.The story ebbs and flows. A great romance should be a bit like a roller coaster, with moments of tension, moments of excitement, and moments of release and reflection. It needs slower parts and parts that zoom by. Otherwise it feels flat and boring and I’m not compelled to keep reading.

If a romance novel has all of these, it’s likely to be a great read. That’s regardless of the setting, or level of steaminess (though I’m all for super-steamy!). One of my favorite recent reads was a male-male hockey romance, and I don’t like hockey or have a particular affinity for m/m romances. But in a great romance novel, the characters backgrounds, ethnicities, or sexual orientations only add to the story (the more diverse the better!).

Here five great romances I read last year.

What makes for a great romance for you? Got any romance recommendations you think are amazing and unputdownable? Please do leave a comment below.

 

 

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10 QUESTIONS WITH STACY GOLD

Please Enjoy this Ten Question Author Interview with Me, Stacy Gold

Recently, I had the great pleasure of participating in a fast-paced Q & A with a group of avid romance readers. Many of the questions were incredibly thoughtful and thought-provoking, so I thought I’d share ten questions here, along with my answers.

Are there recurring themes in your work? Second chances, you can’t judge a book by its cover, and my favorite Rolling Stone theme of you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you’ll get what you need.What are your fav scenes to write? The outdoors scenes and the really emotional scenes are my favorite.What are the most challenging scenes to write? The transitions leading into and out of the big turning points because I work really hard to make each change of heart or change of plans believable.What scene do you wish you could witness in real life? In my upcoming release, there’s a scene where the very laid-back, nonconfrontational hero punches someone out, and deservedly so.Which of your heroes would you most want to hang out with? My hero in my third novella, Dan Griffin, is actually an amalgamation of a few of my good guy friends. He’s funny and goofy and sweet and a little inappropriate. He’s also really good looking and a terrific cook and dancer.Have you ever written a character that you did not like? Nope. I love all my characters regardless of their flaws and issues.What is your favorite thing about being an author and what is your least favorite thing? I love creating my own worlds with competent, independent women finding love on their terms. My least favorite thing is how long the actual writing always takes.What do you hope readers get from reading your stories? Hope and joy and a rollicking good time.What made you want to be a writer/author? I’ve always been a good writer. I was the kid in college who got excited when the professor said half my grade would be based on a paper. From there I took a winding path into being a marketing copywriter and journalist full-time for about fifteen years. Then I accidentally fell into writing fiction and realized it was the most fun I’d ever had with a keyboard.Have you ever written a scene that was so intense you had to walk away to calm down? Oh, no. I get so invested in the intense scenes I hate to step away until the scene is done. Though sometimes, if I’ve already been on the keyboard for a while, I’ll stop in the middle so I’m forced right back into the groove the next day.

Do you have a question for me? Please do leave it in the comment below and I’ll be happy to answer it.

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RANDOM MUSINGS: WHAT MAKES A SATISFYING HEA?

What Ingredients Create a Long-lasting, Satisfying HEA (Happily Ever After)—In Romance Novels and Movies, and In Life?

It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m a romance author who’s been happily married more than twenty-two years. So, of course I’m thinking about relationships. In particular, I’m thinking about the hallmarks of a relationship that’s destined to last. One with a HEA or happily ever after, regardless of what that looks like.

We’ve all seen couples, in fiction and in real life, where you just don’t think they’re gonna make it. They’re HEA is somehow not satisfying and believable. That’s usually because there’s something missing in the relationship.

Whether you want your HEA in book or movie form, or you’re looking for it in life, the same ingredients are required, really.

5 Ingredients for a Satisfying HEA in Fiction and Real LifeEveryone involved has to actually like each other and enjoy spending time together. Whether you’re on vacation or just hanging out putting a puzzle together, or whatever. I know this seems obvious, but I’ve known plenty of couples who didn’t like each other and were deeply unhappy.So many alpha-holes in romance novels rescue the damsel in the distress while barely speaking, and she declares her undying love. Ummmmm not. I’ve also read and seen plenty of couples on TV or in Movies where I just didn’t see what they saw in each other.If you’re dating someone, it’s valid to ask if this is the person you’d want to be stuck with in a studio apartment during a pandemic. If the answer is yes, you’re well on your way to your HEA.Everyone has to make everyone else’s happiness a priority. If one person in a relationship moves through life only prioritizing their happiness, the relationship is doomed to failure. Even if they don’t split up, someone will be deeply unhappy.I’ve been in this kind of relationship, and seen it represented in books, movies, and TV ad nauseum. For me it boiled down to…He was worried about making himself happy, I was worried about making him happy, and no one was left to worry about my happiness. This is not a recipe for a satisfying HEA.Everyone has to be willing to recognize and own their flaws, and if needed, work on them. Nobody is perfect. It’s better when we all accept that. Even better when we can admit that to our partners, apologize, and try to do better.This was one of the few issues that tainted the HEA in the first season of Bridgerton for me a little bit. Simon needed to own up to his issues and apologize for lying and being an asshole, and Daphne needed to apologize for trying to get pregnant without his consent.None of this is ever discussed in the kind of grand gesture way that would lead to forgiveness and a healthy start to their relationship. She just learns more about his past and forgives him and he realizes he doesn’t want to be alone. Not a satisfying HEA for me at that point.You have to share a common interest and have fun together. What is the point of being with someone with whom you have nothing in common? And no, hot sex doesn’t count. Books and movies often make two people with nothing in common fall in love. I’m here to tell you that isn’t going to result in a satisfying HEA. Not unless it starts with lust and they discovered shared passions or life goals or dreams.Everyone involved has to be able communicate their wants, needs, and desires and be heard without worrying about confrontation or disdain. Communication is the key to setting expectations in a relationship. That way the other(s) involved can meet those needs or make changes (See points 2 and 3 in this article.)Nobody magically gets all their needs met. Not in real life. If they do in fiction, I don’t believe it and the HEA is no longer satisfying.

That’s pretty much the recipe: Like the person (or people) you’re in a relationship with, prioritize their happiness, admit your flaws, communicate expectations, and have fun together. That’s it. If all those things are present in a relationship, the chances of a satisfying HEA are high—in romance novels and movies, and in real life.

What do you think goes into a creating a satisfying HEA—in fiction or real life? Please do comment below.

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JOIN THE WINTER GAMES READER CHALLENGE

★★★ WINTER GAMES Reader Challenge Feb 14th – March 14th! ★★★

If you love to read, the Winter Games Reader Challenge is for YOU!

I’m excited to be a part of this free event running Feb 14th – March 14th and you’re invited…

Join me and 55+ other authors from all genres for this FREE four-week online event. Challenge yourself to read more and faster and you could win up to $250 plus loads of other prizes.

Winter Games is a fun way to meet and chat with authors, read tons of free books, enjoy online FB parties, win signed copies of print books, and so much more.

This exciting, four-week reader event includes:Free books to read and review.Online rave parties hosted on our private Facebook group.Loads of great swag and prizes including signed copies of print books.Live Q & A chats with all 56 authors.PLUS a $250.00 first prize and $100.00 second prize!

The games have already begun! To join the fun as a Winter Games Reader, you MUST fill out the Official Sign up Form. It’s FREE, so click now and join us.*

Winter Games Challenge Participating Authors

Amanda Uhl, Amber Cross, Amey Zeigler, Augustina Van Hoven, Azaaa Davis, Becky Lee Whitehouse, Carmen Webster Buxton, Caryl McAdoo, Casi McLean, Catherine Wiltcher, Chris Patchell, Cj Fosdick, CJ Zahner, Deana Birch, Donna Kunkel, Eva Winners, Gail Meath, Inge Lise Goss, Jana Richards, January Bain, Jaqueline Snowe, Jean M. Grant, Jeff Schanz, Jennifer Wilck, Judy Ann Davis, Julie Howard, Kat Parrish, Kathi Goldwyn, Kayelle Allen, L.A. McGinnis, Laura Strickland, Linda Nightingale, Linda Watkins, Louise Bélanger, Lynda J Cox, M. S. Spencer, Marilyn Barr, Mckayla Jade, McKenna Dean, ML Erdahl, Peggy Jaeger, P. Stormcrow, Randy Overbeck, Sophia Karlson, Roxanne D. Howard, S. R. Mallery, Sabre Rose, Sara Ohlin, Shirley Goldberg, Stacy Gold, Stephany Tullis, Susan Hutchinson, Susan McCormick,Tamela Miles, Tena Stetler, TL Mayhew

Click Here NOW to join!

* To participate, readers must have an Amazon Reviewer page (IE: You must have posted book reviews on Amazon in the past)

 

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My Big, Hairy, Audacious Romance Author Goals for 2021

I’m planning on hitting some amazing romance author goals this coming year.

Yes, I know. Setting any kind of goals for the coming year,  especially professional romance author publishing goals, might seem like an exercise in frustration and futility. But I’m a goalsetting kind of person. Thankfully, I’ve also learned a lot about how to roll with the punches. I’ll be be okay if things don’t work out exactly as I planned.

In fact, I know I won’t always reach all my goals… At least not the way I envision them. My goals may change, or the path I take to reach them may change. Hell, by the end of the year nothing might look like I planned.

That does not matter. As long as I keep working as hard as I am able (which some days may not be much at all, if any), and moving forward as much as I can, I’ll end up somewhere awesome. It just might not happen when, or the way, I want. Of course, that also means the end result might be better than I can imagine right now.

So, without further ado, here are my big, hairy, audacious goals for this year:Sell my series of three, full-length, steamy, contemporary, backpacking romances to a major publisher in a bidding war. Last year, I was thrilled to land my fabulous agent. In February. Weeks before the first Covid lockdown. We had immediate interest, and then crickets ever since. But this year is not last year. Much will change, and by God, my books are going to sell and it’s going to be wonderful.Self-publish the first novel in my new four-season, Colorado mountain town romance series and sell more than 5000 copies. This story is drafted and I am about to dive into edits. While the wheels of traditional publishing may turn slowly, I have a great path to self-publishing with my agencies support. I can’t wait to have a new novel out, and introduce the world to my steamy, best-friends-to-lovers mountain biking romance!Write the second novel in my Colorado mountain town series, and ideally self-publish it in Q4. I won’t commit to a publishing date until later this year, because it’s really important to me to maintain good work/life balance. So, if it doesn’t come out until next year, I’m good with that. Still gonna try though.Edit the second book in my backpacking romance series so it’s ready to go to whoever is my soon-to-be new publisher later this year. I’ve already drafted this one, so it should only take two or three months to have it ready to go to the next phase.Plan out my next, two-book series to sell to a traditional publisher and another two books to self-publish in 2022 and 2023.

My longer-term goal is to have six or more full-length romance novels published by the end of 2023, with at least one of them making the New York Times and USA today bestsellers lists. Along with that, I want my new book sales to grow by a minimum of 5000 copies with each release and backlist sales to grow as well.

Like I said, big, hairy, audacious goals. But I’ll never reach them if I don’t set them.

Here’s to 2021 being a whole lot better than 2020!

Have you set any goals for the upcoming year? If so, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

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MY TOP 5 ROMANCE NOVELS OF 2020

Need Book Recs? These Are the Five Best Romance Novels I Read In 2020, plus a Bonus Book Rec.

It’s been a bizarre and disorienting year at best for most of us. As a result, maybe you’ve read more to escape our current reality. Or maybe you’ve read less, because you’re too busy being a parent, teacher, employee/entrepreneur, housekeeper and more to even crack a page (If xo, mad props to you!).

I’ve had trouble concentrating on anything longer than a magazine article unless it’s incredibly well-written and engaging. And all I want to read is romance, and a lot of rom-coms, because I joy and goodness and love to win. I want to know the characters are going to get their much-deserved happy ever after (or at least happy for now).

If you’re struggling to read, or struggling to make time to read, you don’t want to waste precious hours and limited mental capacity on a mediocre book. So, I decided to do a quick roundup of the best romance novels I’ve read this year. They may not have come out in 2020, but that’s when I discovered them. Each one is well worth carving out time to enjoy.

In no particular order, here are my top five best romance novels of 2020, plus a bonus book that  missed making the cut by a bee’s dick.Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

It takes truly great writing to make me love a book written in third person these days. Author Casey McQuiston manages to achieve this near-impossible feat with her debut Red, White & Royal Blue.

This book has everything…Clear, vivid prose, fresh and snappy dialogue, quirky characters you want to root for, scandals, politics, a fake friendship that turns into much more, and British Royals. What’s not to love?

Ms. McQuiston builds idiosyncratic, nuanced characters, layering in details to create real people that keep on living in my head. They’re smart, and funny, and weird, and stuck in impossible situations that the author somehow makes believable. And the way she lets the romance develop from an apparent enemies-to-lovers to clearly-they’re-perfect-together is so very fulfilling.

Right from the start the character’s hyper-realistic, modern dialog grabbed me. Then the descriptions of White House life swept me away to another world. Add in the high stakes of a forbidden… Read the rest of this book review here.

Love Lettering, by Kate Clayborn

Especially with the world on fire, I find myself drawn to charming, funny, character-driven, romances that are low on serious angst and medium to high on steam. The kind of book that gives you all the best feels and ends like a warm hug. With the kind of characters you’d like to be friends with.

This book is everything.

It’s a beautiful, lyrical, heartfelt love story about two quirky, flawed humans finding each other and becoming better people together. And it’s so very satisfying on every level.

I am a sucker for a romance with carefully crafted writing, realistic characters that learn and grow, and a nice dose of steamy sexual tension. Read the rest of this review here.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Are you looking for the kind of steamy romance that sucks you in and makes you want to put your entire life on hold until you’re done reading (at which point you’re going to be very, very sad it’s over)? If so, I cannot recommend The Kiss Quotient enough.

The female main character is an econometrician with Aspergers, who loves numbers more than people. She has difficulty in social settings and can’t stand French kissing. So, she decides she needs help learning how to be good at sex in order to keep a man and have a relationship.

Queue the entrance of gorgeous Vietnamese/Swedish escort Michael Phan. He has a one-time-only rule with clients but can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer. He also quickly finds he doesn’t want to turn down her offer.

I loved the peek into Vietnamese food and culture. And who can’t relate to pushy parents… Read the rest of this review here.

The One You Can’t Forget by Roni Loren

After reading, “The One You Can’t Forget” (Book 2 in The Ones Who Got Away series. I haven’t read Book 1 yet.), I’ve added Roni Loren to my list of favorite romance authors. This book hooked me from the beginning with the ideal combination of solid writing, realism, quirky dialogue, difficult situations, and sexy tension, and kept me hooked all the way through.

I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll say nothing more than this book has one of the best, most cringe inducing set ups ever. So much delicious tension leading to the reveal and so much discomfort when… Keep reading here.

 

Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen

I can’t say I’ve read every book by Sarina Bowen (Because, have you seen the size of her backlist? When does this woman sleep. Or eat?), but every one I have read has been at least very good if not great.

Once again, Ms. Bowen delivers. Overnight Sensation is my second favorite of her books so far next to Him (cowritten with Elle Kennedy, Him is A++ fantastic–so good I read it twice).

Give me a romance where the characters are more layered than you initially realize, and then grow and change. Throw in a dash of humor, a pinch of angst, and a whole lot of sexual tension and I’m in. This book has…Click here to keep reading.

Bonus: Here’s the Book that Almost Made the Cut for Best Romance NovelsPriest: A Love Story by Sierra Simone

When my critique partner, author Laurel Greer, recommends a book I don’t ask questions—I buy, download, and strap in for the ride. As always, she was right on with this steamy romance.

I am not Catholic, or even religious, having been raised in a mixed-religion home, so I wasn’t bothered by the taboo subject matter as some might be. Instead, I got wrapped up in the main character’s struggles, and loved that Ms. Simone kept his big, hairy backstory reveal secret until the end.

The writing is good, the concept is fresh and different for romance, and it’s the kind of book you can happily rip through in an afternoon. Sure, I can always enjoy another hockey romance, or set-in-college NA story, but I love discovering stories that break the mold. This one does that in spades.

Still, I couldn’t quite give Priest by Sierra Simone five stars. Here’s why… Click to keep reading this review.

If I’ve missed a romance that was your favorite this year, I want to read it. Please do let me know by leaving a comment below.

 

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MY TOP 5 BEST ROMANCE NOVELS OF 2020

Need Book Recs? These Are the Five Best Romance Novels I Read In 2020, plus a Bonus Book Rec.

It’s been a bizarre and disorienting year at best for most of us. As a result, maybe you’ve read more to escape our current reality. Or maybe you’ve read less, because you’re too busy being a parent, teacher, employee/entrepreneur, housekeeper and more to even crack a page (If xo, mad props to you!).

I’ve had trouble concentrating on anything longer than a magazine article unless it’s incredibly well-written and engaging. And all I want to read is romance, and a lot of rom-coms, because I joy and goodness and love to win. I want to know the characters are going to get their much-deserved happy ever after (or at least happy for now).

If you’re struggling to read, or struggling to make time to read, you don’t want to waste precious hours and limited mental capacity on a mediocre book. So, I decided to do a quick roundup of the best romance novels I read this year. They may not have come out in 2020, but that’s when I discovered them. Each one is well worth carving out time to enjoy.

In no particular order, here are my top five best romance novels of 2020, plus a bonus book that  missed making the cut by a bee’s dick.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

It takes truly great writing to make me love a book written in third person these days. Author Casey McQuiston manages to achieve this near-impossible feat with her debut Red, White & Royal Blue.

This book has everything…Clear, vivid prose, fresh and snappy dialogue, quirky characters you want to root for, scandals, politics, a fake friendship that turns into much more, and British Royals. What’s not to love?

Ms. McQuiston builds idiosyncratic, nuanced characters, layering in details to create real people that keep on living in my head. They’re smart, and funny, and weird, and stuck in impossible situations that the author somehow makes believable. And the way she lets the romance develop from an apparent enemies-to-lovers to clearly-they’re-perfect-together is so very fulfilling.

Right from the start the character’s hyper-realistic, modern dialog grabbed me. Then the descriptions of White House life swept me away to another world. Add in the high stakes of a forbidden… Read the rest of this book review here.

Love Lettering, by Kate Clayborn

Especially with the world on fire, I find myself drawn to charming, funny, character-driven, romances that are low on serious angst and medium to high on steam. The kind of book that gives you all the best feels and ends like a warm hug. With the kind of characters you’d like to be friends with.

This book is everything.

It’s a beautiful, lyrical, heartfelt love story about two quirky, flawed humans finding each other and becoming better people together. And it’s so very satisfying on every level.

I am a sucker for a romance with carefully crafted writing, realistic characters that learn and grow, and a nice dose of steamy sexual tension. Read the rest of this review here.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Are you looking for the kind of steamy romance that sucks you in and makes you want to put your entire life on hold until you’re done reading (at which point you’re going to be very, very sad it’s over)? If so, I cannot recommend The Kiss Quotient enough.

The female main character is an econometrician with Aspergers, who loves numbers more than people. She has difficulty in social settings and can’t stand French kissing. So, she decides she needs help learning how to be good at sex in order to keep a man and have a relationship.

Queue the entrance of gorgeous Vietnamese/Swedish escort Michael Phan. He has a one-time-only rule with clients but can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer. He also quickly finds he doesn’t want to turn down her offer.

I loved the peek into Vietnamese food and culture. And who can’t relate to pushy parents… Read the rest of this review here.

The One You Can’t Forget by Roni Loren

After reading, “The One You Can’t Forget” (Book 2 in The Ones Who Got Away series. I haven’t read Book 1 yet.), I’ve added Roni Loren to my list of favorite romance authors. This book hooked me from the beginning with the ideal combination of solid writing, realism, quirky dialogue, difficult situations, and sexy tension, and kept me hooked all the way through.

I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll say nothing more than this book has one of the best, most cringe inducing set ups ever. So much delicious tension leading to the reveal and so much discomfort when… Keep reading here.

 

Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen

I can’t say I’ve read every book by Sarina Bowen (Because, have you seen the size of her backlist? When does this woman sleep. Or eat?), but every one I have read has been at least very good if not great.

Once again, Ms. Bowen delivers. Overnight Sensation is my second favorite of her books so far next to Him (cowritten with Elle Kennedy, Him is A++ fantastic–so good I read it twice).

Give me a romance where the characters are more layered than you initially realize, and then grow and change. Throw in a dash of humor, a pinch of angst, and a whole lot of sexual tension and I’m in. This book has…Click here to keep reading.

Bonus: Here’s the Book that Almost Made the Cut for Best Romance Novels
Priest: A Love Story by Sierra Simone

When my critique partner, author Laurel Greer, recommends a book I don’t ask questions—I buy, download, and strap in for the ride. As always, she was right on with this steamy romance.

I am not Catholic, or even religious, having been raised in a mixed-religion home, so I wasn’t bothered by the taboo subject matter as some might be. Instead, I got wrapped up in the main character’s struggles, and loved that Ms. Simone kept his big, hairy backstory reveal secret until the end.

The writing is good, the concept is fresh and different for romance, and it’s the kind of book you can happily rip through in an afternoon. Sure, I can always enjoy another hockey romance, or set-in-college NA story, but I love discovering stories that break the mold. This one does that in spades.

Still, I couldn’t quite give Priest by Sierra Simone five stars. Here’s why… Click to keep reading this review.

If I’ve missed a romance that was your favorite this year, I want to read it. Please do let me know by leaving a comment below.

 

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