Maya's Must Reads for August

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that we're all avid historical romance readers here. For the longest time, I didn't even realize romance novels came in categories other than historical–I thought it was Regency, Medieval or Pirate. But then I discovered that sometimes you really just need to unloosen the corset strings and devour a contemporary set romance novel. Something about the straight-shooting language, broad's that can be a bit tougher and sassier, and a man in jeans.

This month I needed contemporaries. I read English-y ones in preparation for my London trip. And then on the flight home I read some small-town America ones. Yup, this city girl loves those. Here's what I recommend:

True Confessions by Rachel Gibson

Small town sherif that looks real good in jeans and a uniform–check. City girl going country with a secret, scandalous writing job–check. Mystery and scandal–check. I'm not going to write synopsis of all these books because that's been done, but I will tell you that when I was reading this on the airplane, a woman in my row asked what I was reading because it had me laughing out loud so much. Super funny and very sexy.

Playing Dirty (Hqn) by Susan Anderson

I found out about this one from Eloisa James's Barnes and Noble column on mortifying moments in novels (cringe!). The hero of this one took a bet in high school that he could score with "the fat girl" otherwise known as our lovely heroine. Of course, the exchange of money occurs in the high school cafeteria (scene of so many awful moments!) but she snaps out wicked retort: "I think I should get part of that…One session with Quick Draw McGraw here pretty much put me off sex for life — and if that doesn't entitle a girl to a cut, I don't know what does." Snappy dialogue like that sold the book, and it's a fine read about these two getting together years later. Also, a man in jeans and a mystery. Yea!

The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham

Ms Wickham  is otherwise known as Sophie Kinsella, the author of the Shopholic books (which I devoured even as they stressed me out). This one is much more chic-lit than romance but I really enjoyed the modern voice and some plot twists I didn't expect. So the wedding girl in question, Milly, had a secret marriage (yes!) and the truth comes out two days before her wedding. More and more secrets are exposed, including her sister's secret pregnancy (yes!). This one doesn't really follow a romance novel formula, which I found refreshing. Even though there were no men in jeans.

Lastly, I must thank all my Facebook friends and folks on the twitters that recommended contemporary novels for me to read! I got some good tips (Rachel Gibson, in particular) and a good stash on my TBR pile.

Are you strictly into historicals, or do you read contemporaries?

Any titles you recommend?